10 things on D.C. United
Finally, the MLS Cup Playoffs are here! The Impact enters the road to North American soccer supremacy on the road, this Thursday at 7:30pm, when it takes on D.C. United at Washington’s RFK Stadium (RDS2, TSN1&5, UniMás, 985sports.ca & CJAD 800).
Context
After an up-and-down first part of the season, D.C. United finished its regular season with a bang: with only two defeats in its last 14 games, the team reached fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Its mid-season acquisitions – mostly trading for Lloyd Sam and Patrick Mullins – got United’s attack to finally pick up some steam. On Decision Day, this past Sunday, head coach Ben Olsen and Impact boss Mauro Biello took similar approaches and rested several players. Despite a 4-2 loss in Orlando, Olsen was satisfied with the net result: hosting a Knockout Round game at RFK Stadium with a relatively fresh lineup.
D.C. United in the playoffs
1996: MLS Cup champion, defeated the LA Galaxy
1997: MLS Cup champion, defeated the Colorado Rapids
1998: MLS Cup runner-up, defeated by the Chicago Fire
1999: MLS Cup champion, defeated the LA Galaxy
2000: did not make playoffs
2001: did not make playoffs
2002: did not make playoffs
2003: Eastern Conference semi-finalist, defeated by the Chicago Fire
2004: MLS Cup champion, defeated the Kansas City Wizards
2005: Eastern Conference semi-finalist, defeated by the Chicago Fire
2006: Eastern Conference finalist, defeated by the New England Revolution
2007: Eastern Conference semi-finalist, defeated by the Chicago Fire
2008: did not make playoffs
2009: did not make playoffs
2010: did not make playoffs
2011: did not make playoffs
2012: Eastern Conference finalist, defeated by the Houston Dynamo
2013: did not make playoffs
2014: Eastern Conference semi-finalist, defeated by the New York Red Bulls
2015: Eastern Conference semi-finalist, defeated by the New York Red Bulls
Current form
D-W-W-W-W-L
Head coach
Ben Olsen (75-87-54 all-time as D.C. United head coach; 3-4-2 in MLS Cup Playoffs) has been head coach at D.C. United since November 29, 2010. First an assistant at United under Curt Onalfo, Olsen replaced him on an interim basis from August 5, 2010, to his full-time appointment at the age of only 33. A promising midfielder during his youth and a finalist to the greatest college soccer honours, Olsen was the 1998 MLS Rookie of the Year after reaching MLS Cup with D.C. United. That season set the tone for a great career topped with two MLS Cups that turned Olsen into one of the most important characters in club history. After failing to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs in his first season as head coach, Olsen then led the team to its first postseason berth in five years, reaching the Conference Final. Olsen experienced the best and worst emotions possible during the 2013 season, as his team finished dead last in the Supporters’ Shield Standings but still lifted the U.S. Open Cup after a 1-0 Final win over Real Salt Lake. Olsen then won the 2014 MLS Coach of the Year award after steering United back to first in the East.
Current top scorer
Lamar Neagle (9)
Players to watch
1. Patrick Mullins (#16) – His arrival from New York City FC on July 20 revitalized United. Mullins has helped the team play more in the opposition’s half and provided another target on set pieces.
2. Lloyd Sam (#8) – If he can pick up the ball with the goal in front of him, Acosta can deliver the killer pass to his teammates.
3. Sean Franklin (#5) – The D.C. right back returned from injury last Sunday. His side is the most productive on attack and the tightest on defence.
Team profile
Organized in a low block with Marcelo Sarvas protecting the back four most of the time, the Black-and-Red try to get the ball forward quickly, either for a swift transition (as seen early on in the season) or for some hold-up play to spray the ball wide and cross, especially via Lamar Neagle, Patrick Nyarko or Lloyd Sam. Neagle’s aerial skills, as well as those of Patrick Mullins and Álvaro Saborío, provide an outlet for an efficient long ball out of the back. United can then call upon its skilled players, with Sam a definite threat in 1-v-1 situations and Luciano Acosta a solid crosser and passer of the ball. United tries to take shots from close range, and it’s all or nothing: according to Opta, 10 percent of United’s shots come from the six-yard box – the highest ratio in MLS –, and the team manages to use that zone from open play as well as from set plays. Defensively, D.C. United conceded its fair share of set-piece goals in the early weeks of the season, which came to no surprise as the team seems to enjoy challenging opponents. In open play, veteran Sean Franklin’s side holds stronger than Taylor Kemp’s side, but generally speaking, the team’s defence has improved greatly over the course of the season.
Tactical formation
D.C. United was a 4-4-2 team for a while, but a midfield three is now to be expected. Lineup v. Orlando (October 23): Worra; Franklin, Opare, Robinson, Mishu; Igboananike, Büscher, Vincent, Martin, Neagle; Kamara. Lineup v. New York City (October 16): Hamid; DeLeon, Birnbaum, Boswell, Kemp; Sam, Jeffrey, Vincent, Acosta, Nyarko; Mullins.
Most recent games against the Impact
It’s all square between the Impact and United, as both games between these teams this season finished 1-1. First, on July 31, the Bleu-blanc-noir was in a tough position, down a goal and down a man, but Hernán Bernardello scored his first Impact goal and salvaged a point for the team. Then, on August 25, the Impact once again had to come back from 1-0 down. Former Bleu-blanc-noir player Lamar Neagle opened the scoring after a questionable penalty call, but Hassoun Camara got Montreal level with a diving header on a Marco Donadel cross in the 77th minute.
Injuries, absences and call-ups (as of August 23)
GK Charlie Horton (hand)
D Chris Korb (ACL)
M Marcelo Sarvas (MCL – should return to play)
F Chris Rolfe (concussion)
