Matchnight: United-Marathon

Goff: What will we see in the morning? Wire service? Stringer? (Or will it simply be too late to get into most print editions?)

Good for Goose! If my math is correct, he has more MLS championships than any other player (3 DC, 2 SJ).

Agoos. The most famous back pass at RFK; versus Jamaica in WC qualifying. Ended up tied 1-1 and wondering if we were going to qualify for France..... And then got totally screwed by Sampson and kept out of the lineup for a Frenchman...

No Gallardo & No Moreno = No Control for DC

I'll counter that with my best memory - the smashing goal against KC from El Diablo's free kick.

I always liked Goose, and to me, his errors were never because he lacked talent. He played with much greater hesitancy under Sampson and much greater confidence under Arena. The change in him from an MNT match to an MLS match was frustrating to watch. Must have been more frustrating to him.

Who is there from DCU? I assume:
1.Crayton
2.Wells
3.Gonzalez
4.Namoff
5.Burch
6.Simms
7.Tino
8.Guerrero
9.Fred
10.Emelio
11.Boyzzz
12.Cordeiro
13.Kirk
14.Thompson
15.Zaher
16.Carroll
17.Peralta?
18.Dyastinko?

Am I right? I am guessing this the line up:
Crayton - GK
Namoff - RB
Gonzalez - CD
Burch - CD
Guerrero - LB
Fred - RM
Quaranta - LM
Simms - CM
Dyachenko - CM
Emelio - F
Boyzzz - F

So, I'll be eligible in 2010, right?

Or will I be on the "we don't talk about him" list due to my position with the players union in the middle of the strike?

I will do a small write-up off TV.

DCU roster
GK: Crayton and Wells.
D: Martinez, Namoff, Burch, Peralta, Zaher.
MF: Fred, Guerrero, Quaranta, Simms, Cordeiro, Dyachenko, Kirk, Thompson.
F: Emilio, Khumalo, Doe.

Has it been mentioned that Montreal vs Atlante is on Telewhatever right now?
Thanks for the space, I think I'll be leaving the computer alone to watch, see ya later gang.

Who's got Limarzi? FNR (WFED) online has some talk show on.

One more question real quick: Will Atlante act like cry babies if they start getting beat by a Canadian team?

It will be a miracle if DC comes out with a win/tie.

Who's got Limarzi? FNR (WFED) online has some talk show on.

Posted by: SportzNut21 | September 24, 2008 8:10 PM
.........................................

Limarzi is on Honduras time; you're a bit early. (Goff: To your knowledge, did Limarzi make the trip, or will he be calling the match off a screen somewhere?)

Please, for the love of god Soehn, rest Emilio, Crayton, Fred, and Simms. We're not going to get far in the CCL if we can't beat Dep. Saprissa. We need to focus our attention on the league where we are really slipping and could find ourselves out of that playoff spot before you can say "MLS Cup".

Tony is in Honduras.

------------------------Emilio------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------
--------------------Dyachenko---------------------
Khumalo--------------------------------------Fred
----------------Guerrero----Simms--------------
Martinez-----------------------------Thompson
---------------Burch-------Namoff---------------
--------------------------------------------------------
----------------------Crayton-----------------------

If that line up above is correct than Soehn has already thrown in the towel for the match by starting Dyachenko.

You forgot to tell em' the most important news from BTB: Quaranta is out for the night...
This should be interesting. I think I'll turn this thing off right now.
Come on United! Dig Deep.

Please, please do not put in Dyachenko!

I hope Dyachenko will only be played if we are trying to lose!

Please, please do not put in Dyachenko!

Posted by: Anon | September 24, 2008 9:24 PM

***************
Would you prefer to see Doe or Kirk?

agoos elbow in mexico city sticks out,

he always worked hard and was very consistent

in other CONCACAF news:
CD Olimpia is leading 2-0 against Joe Public in T&T.

UPDATE
3-0 Olimpia
76th Min

UPDATE #3
3-1 Olimpia
Goal by Gregory Richardson

YES. Doe is no contest, and Kirk has looked better than Dyachenko in the few matches he's played in.

I would take Doe or Kirk for Dyachenco anyday

Gooooooooose!

Congrats, Goose!

Dyachenko has played for D.C. United for some years now, but hasn't had much to show for it.

In my opinion, he needs to be cut to open more slots for players of a "higher caliber", that the FO, coaches and fans have been stressing lately.

You watch 'Reality Check', if Dyachenko is put in, he will only bring D.C. down. (more)
Mark my words.

Dyachenko is in for his work rate and his physical size. I know it's easy to write him off as useless, but it's not like he's literally the worst player in the world. Whether he can make a difference tonight will depend on whether he can get involved in the air and whether he can make sure he doesn't go flying in with his typical style of tackle (hard, two-footed, studs often up).

I worry about the fact that he's listed in midfield, but it could be that he's being used to harass Marathon's holding midfielders more than to create (a la Donovan for the US in the 2002 WC against Mexico, where Landon's first duty was to mark Torrado at all times). It could also be that we're going super direct, and Soehn has told Dyachenko to just play the ball to Emilio or over the top to the wide players (thus removing his ability to choose what to do, which usually ends with him thinking too long or picking the wrong option).

For those of you who think we're throwing in the towel, explain how Wells, Zaher, Kirk, and Doe are on the bench and not starting.

I can't believe I get to play again. Those pictures of Tommy and Kevin are really paying off.

Anyone got an internet feed?

God save DCU. It's going to be a long night. Marathon was speed that DCU just does not have, I think Tyson Nunez plays for them. Anyone remember him?

"For those of you who think we're throwing in the towel, explain how Wells, Zaher, Kirk, and Doe are on the bench and not starting."

The only explanation needed is that Dyachenko is in the game.

Posted by: speculation | September 24, 2008 9:59 PM

------------------------------------

FSC streams on TVU Channel 21500

Greetings, amigos.

Quaranta not starting because of a deep bruise on his shin and ankle, suffered at L.A. last weekend.

http://www.justin.tv/catracitonegron

Internet feeds like what is listed here?

How about a like to that channel? I can't get it to pull up.

RADION DYANCHENKO

Well Hot Rod Dyastinko is in i guess this means a
loss

Beauty. Thanks all for the links!

4th minute: fleet attack by Marathon, cross to Saul Martinez, broken up by Crayton before clean shot taken

5th minute: Chavez misses narrowly wide from 23 yards

DCU slows the pace, settling in, but no threats through 10 minutes

radio feed anyone?

Foul commited by Dyachenko is 11th minute.

In dangerous position for MTHN

Marathon players are dropping like flies. Martinez not doing well so far.

GOAL DYACHENKO!!!!!!!!!

sike.

Bad pass by Dyachenko to Emilio. 14th minute.

Marathon seems to be playing the diving game.

it's that one particular guy #18 who is biggest wuss. A little brush on his ankle and he flops to the ground holding his head.

Sike? Are you 6? Is this the year 1986?

These hondurans are super fast!! No wonder they have a great National Team that can kick the US's butt!!

Please do not post misleading game comments. (sigh)

near goal my Luci
Burch sent it in from the left..
Marathon GK slapped it right in front of Emilio but cleared in a heartbeat

Kick the US's butt?? Other than the RFK game, when did Honduras kick the US's butt?? 4-0 USA, 4-0 USA, 1-0 USA, 2-1 USA last four games.

YEAAAA Thompson

that was too close - nice job by thompson by helping out (even though he almost hit it in himself)

Well done thompson!

Crayton juked out.. marathon with the shot but hit the post

They can certainly do it now! They are by far the team to beat! Although I want the US to win, the results you mention are friendly's.

Great chance for Marathon, Saul Martinez runs through, gets past Crayton, but shot cleared off right post by retreating Thompson

They can certainly do it now! They are by far the team to beat! Although I want the US to win, the results you mention are friendly's. Wait to the US plays quality teams (i.e. Mexico, Costa Rica and Honduras), let' see if it will be easy. Certainly not Cuba!!!

Yeah, Thompson. Way not to give up the corner by banging it off your own post!

Honduras is a classic underachiever. They will choke in the final round, as usual

That RFK game was impressive, but the game in Honduras, Mathis beat them with a free kick in injury time

Saul Martinez use to play for the Miami Fusion. 'Speedy" Martinez.

I just saw Kyle Sheldon from BTB

Anyway, it's PSYCH, not sike.

Thompson with a nice recovery after playing the man onside, then losing him into the box. Nice hustle tho!

Lost the video!

Khumalo with lots of touches but damaging to both sides at the moment. Really puts himself about.

You are right. They have under achieved. Have you followed them in lately? They have quality players in Europe. In far better teams than the US players. The US should not sleep on them. Proceed with caution. The US looks weak...our current coach is a classic MLS coach. Not ready for international play.

These southerners sure do go down easy

Wow, Marathon is fast!

Wow, they fall down and get hurt Fast!

there is a live feed on

channelsurfing.net

We are huge compared to these guys. The slightest touch hurts them and the breeze from us running by causes them to go down. I am kidding this has been a fun game to watch. Stop with the offsides trap we are to slow to even catch them offsides. Put a body on the runners. If we keep our head in this game we have a chance

is there an online radio feed?

DCU fortunate to get to halftime without yielding a goal. Can they withstand another 45?

Crayton is MOTM so far.

If Marathon could shoot straight...

Not with Dyachenko on the field.

(had to get that one in)

but it's true!

Dyachenko is the least of D.C.'s problems. The defense and defensive midfield remain a mess.

It is very nice to see some refs that don't take the advantage that our boys do have away by calling tiki-tak fouls.

Comeon DC! I want to see some offense. Replace Dyachenko with Doe and put up two strikers (emilio and Doe) with Boyzzz on the right and Fred moving into the mid.

It seems DC does not designate a playmaker sans Gallardo. Should it not be Fred?

Rod's been fine. Isn't hurting his own side, although not doing much to help either. Decent half.

Martinez having a shocker, IMHO. Getting dusted for speed and technique it seems. Maybe they haven't seen film on Thompson...

DC playing with a calmness that defies the treachery they are facing. Strangely calm in the face of Marathon intensity.

SERIOUSLY: STOP FINDING PLAYERS TO HATE ON AND BE A FAN.

ROD Dyachenko IS NOT THE REASON FOR OUR BAD SEASON.

ZACH WELLS WAS NOT TO BLAME FOR US NOT HAVING A SHUTOUT IN THE FIRST 15 GAMES.

SOCCER IS A: T E A M SPORT, IT FALLS ON ALL 11 PLAYERS.

Unless a player turns toward, and shoots on his own goal you really cant blame them for the poor performance of the team.

I have grown tired of this complaining and Im not the only one. JUST STOP

Start complaining about the real problem, which is 24 man rosters instead of 40 and a salary cap that has starting players making less than cashiers at Mickey D's

Mexico v Chile friendly from the LA Coliseum starting on Telemundo right now. Since it's not a FIFA Int'l fixture date both teams feature lots of players from the shallower end (or is that the deeper end?) of the talent pool.

Good news: 0-0 at halftime without Moreno, Gallardo, Quaranta, Peralta, and McTavish.

Bad news: Marathon is running through us almost at will, and we're compounding it with individual errors. Martinez is having perhaps his worst game in a DC shirt, while Simms is once again not exerting anywhere near the influence defensively that we should be able to expect.

Marathon's speed is impacting the game going forward, but it's even more telling when we get the ball. Look how many people they get back when we try to break: 6 minimum, sometimes as many as 9. There's a real commitment from them to defend as a unit, which might be helping us defend (since they can only get 3 or 4 people involved in their attacks).

After the 20th minute, Guerrero shifted to his more natural left midfield position to help shield Martinez on what clearly is a bad night for him. Khumalo has come into the middle, and along with Fred looks like the only person that understands that being in midfield means both defending and attacking.

HT ratings:
Crayton - 7
Thompson - 6
Namoff - 4
Burch - 5
Martinez - 3
Simms - 4
Fred - 5
Khumalo - 5
Dyachenko - 4
Guerrero - 4
Emilio - 5

Our best hope appears to be that their keeper is as bad or worse than Wells. If Fred and Guerrero can ever get deep on the wing, we could very well get a cheap goal off a mishandled or misread cross. The trick, of course, is having this situation arise and also having more than just Emilio forward to help.

Martinez needs to move back to CB - other than a few decent runs in his early games at LB, he has not been great there. We could use his grit at CB. Move Burch back to LB.

What about some props for Thompson. Not a bad game at RB, I didn't think that was going to happen

Cheers, BBfunnyman

dude you can be a fan and think that someone shouldn't get a start like our boy rod

I dream about the the Crown Royal commercial theme song on FSC. It's on everyday regardless of who's playing.

One time I heard that same commercial 4 times in a row!

I guess Crown Royal believes (rightfully so) that targeting soccer fans will win them some business.

someone needs to let the FSC guy know this is no a MNT match. Americans vs Hondurans...

Fred, Kumalo look good. Emillio seems slow (tired) I'd like to see him get the ball earlier so he can play to Fred or Kumalo. Crayton looks really good. If we can somehow plug the holes at midfield, I think we could sneek one in.

VAMOS UNITED!!!

Well if Tony Limarzi is down there, I'd imagine he's doing play-by-play... just can't find a link to it, what's up with WFED?

I'm watching on FSC anyway.

Never mind Crown Royal. I like Jennifer Love Hewitt's face ads!

Just saw some Marines (as in US Marines) in their desert utilities on the sidelines, must be there on MSG Duty, but surprised they aren't in civvies.

Goff-

When you watch games on tv/internet, do you listen to the commentaries or do you mute it?

Khumalo clear attempt from 16 -- but misses high badly

Miles is hard to listen to, but I actually like Dunseth as an color announcer.

Subs......... Peralta? Cordeiro?

Khumalo shoves a defender. Why not? If they're going to fall over, it might as well be for something.

Ah, those were the days! Etcheverry, Moreno & Diaz Arce, defense, goals off corner kicks, etc. It's so nice when you slay your opponents - though I have to admit a degree parity is a good thing for US soccer.

DCU playing well for a long stretch, staying composed defensively and taking the initiative on attack. 0-0 in the 64th

gol maraton

thanks for the updates, just got in and don't have FSC here

Forgot to knock on wood, Goff!

C'mon Stadium - that's all I have to look forward to between now and next year.

That was unfortunate!!!! Simms got caught ball watching. Perralta on

Peralta in

Nunez from 23 yards, 1-0 in the 66th

So dumb to try to press the attack on the road with a man on the ground injured. One quick giveaway, counterattack, and we're down a goal when we should've knocked it out of bounds, killed some clock, and got 11 men in the play.

It looked like Simms was signaling Martinez to kick the ball out for a sub for Dyachenko when he lost the ball that led to the goal?

What is going on with Martinez?!

go for the win, why not? This is a stupid competition to be in when we don't have a game to give in the MLS hunt. No depth, no health, why not? We need Simms healthy, we need Peralta worked into the game again.

This will be a great tournament for the MLS when the league lets us have depth. Until then, who cares? I'm concerned about Dallas. All you should be too.

Mystery passes...like they've never played together before...

RK- I don't know that this line up has ever been on the field together

Why would you think United will all-of-a-sudden revert to anything resembling a winning side in Dallas after a horrible showing like this?

Soehn has completely thrown in the towel, and he has no idea how to motivate this team.

Namoff looks really hurt, but we're out of subs. Just have him sit on the sidelines and pray he's not out for more MLS games.

Burch looks like he has lead feet. Martinez is having his worse game of the year. The passing from Thompson to Dyachenko.

Ugggh.

Crayton sucks.

Bring back Zach Wells NOW!

Norales nice header off free kick, 2-0, in the 83rd

Wow. Time to bail on CCL and concentrate on holding a playoff spot.

Good-bye Soehn?

lucky goal, but giving up goals on set pieces to teams whose average height is 4'3"? Soehn, you're fired. That's bad coaching.

If I'm Crayton, I'm pissed. There's nothing he could do there.

The Defense is awful, plain and simple. The sooner this season is over the better. Then fire Soehn step one, get some speed and players that are actually defenders.

Anonymous, you're an isiot. Crayton is a pretty darned good goalie. Ollie Kahn in his prime would watch that one go into goal, too. He was in the right place to stop a header, provided the defense doesn't let a free header to the side post.

Hey, the ref brought his cards! Thought he forgot them.

Actually doing a decent job, not penalizing with cards, just fouls. Khumalo would have been gone with the clowns we had v LA and Saprissa.

Soehn post-game comments 'we were a bit unorganized blah blah....."

I miss Ben.

here we go again... lets fire the coach, or the NEW goalie, you guys will find anyone to blame. Lets just forget that 9 of our best 11 players are sat on the sideline for numerous reasons.

well at least we won the us open cup. here to a less injury prone 2009

Fire Soehn and get who? I didn't know there was a great pool of incredible MLS coaches that DC is ignoring.

I miss:

Josh Gros
Ben Olsen
Troy Perkins
Cristian Gomez

These guys all possess heart and never stopped fighting.
The team I've seen over the last few weeks, is a demoralized and tired team.

that is the largest flag-to-pole ratio I have ever seen on a corner flag

The only positive I can take out of this game is that for once there was adequate refereeing

Good:

*Peralta with some minutes, hope he's ready

*Martinez better in the second half (somewhat)

*Some youngsters got some international experience.

* No cards

* Some rest for Simms and Fred

That's all I got, and I'm trying...

"The only positive I can take out of this game is that for once there was adequate refereeing"

I am going to disagree. It was not a bad game, but it could have been much improved.

Case and point: Diving and embellishing on the Hondurians--especially in the first half

Also, the ref did not have any 50/50 calls in the box to make.

Well Gros is done, Olsen may be done, Perkins is gone, and Gomez seems to have given up.

Well Gros is done, Olsen may be done, Perkins is gone, and Gomez seems to have given up.
------------------------------------------
=(

A loss yes, but still some bright points. Thompson did well and Crayton came up with some big saves (what else is new). I still can't wait to get our starters healthy, we could sneak through the playoffs if we even get a couple of people back. I am not a huge Soehn fan but give him a break, what would you have done tonight differently.
If you think there is a lack of effort or motivation then blame that on the player (they are pros)!

Hey Goffy-
"Coming off a 5-2 loss to the Galaxy and with a trip to Dallas looming this weekend, D.C. United faces a tough Champions League match Wednesday at RFK Stadium."

RFK? How did they manage to paint all of the seats so fast?

fire the gold digger - Thompson.

Is it really wise to spend over 1 mil on Gallardo, why cant we swoop in on some of the Central American teams and get a few quality players for what we pay Gallardo?

Ugh.

JSF-elaborate

Remember guys we might be paying Gallardo a couple mil but he only counts 400,000 to the salary cap. We can't get a bunch of quality players for that.

We played better, but Marathon had deserved goals in the first half and just had to wait a little longer for them. It was a real shame to concede the Nunez goal, and you could see that it really took all the wind out of our sails. We were having our best stretch of the game, and all the sudden we lost all the zip and confidence. It was a great shot by Nunez, but you have to wonder why Burch went in with the all-or-nothing tackle when, if he had just stayed on his feet, Nunez would not have been able to take that shot. I don't know how everyone is blaming Martinez, who made a superb tackle to poke the ball away. That goal is on Burch, plain and simple.

It was good to see Peralta get some minutes (he really should have made it 2-1 in injury time on that header), and I thought Kirk looked better than usual. Cordeiro didn't offer much, but then with no momentum or conviction on our side, we didn't really give him the chance to get involved.

The marking on the 2nd goal was pathetic, considering Norales was their only real aerial threat. Peralta tried to pick him up late in the run, but I couldn't tell if this was because he had lost him initially, someone else had lost him, or if no one picked him up. The latter option is much worse than the other two, because it would show either a total lack of preparation or total lack of awareness.

The refereeing was probably the best I've seen a US-based team (club or national) get in Central America. Marathon had a couple divers, but no one dirty or particularly odious. I thought Norales looked like a player to keep tabs on.

Post-game ratings:
Crayton - 6
Thompson - 6
Namoff - 5
Burch - 4
Martinez - 3
Simms - 4
Fred - 5
Dyachenko - 4
Khumalo - 5
Guerrero - 4
Emilio - 5

Peralta - 5
Cordeiro - 5
Kirk - 5

Good Lord, that team is sssssllllloooooowwww.

As if they're playing in cement shoes.

Any chance Milton Nunez wants to finish his career in Washington? At 36, he's still quicker than anyone we've got...

They really need to get rid of the "Time to add another one to the collection" splash screen at dcunited.com

Hey Goffy-
"Coming off a 5-2 loss to the Galaxy and with a trip to Dallas looming this weekend, D.C. United faces a tough Champions League match Wednesday at RFK Stadium."

RFK? How did they manage to paint all of the seats so fast?

Posted by: Anonymous | September 25, 2008 12:09 AM

------------

Lighten up, McLovin.

That wasn't in my story -- it was an incorrect tease on the front of the United page. Feel free to contact the .com folks.

Yo Garbaggio: Thanks for the heads up on the MEX/CHI... Wow own goal... Hope those Chilean fans get home safely...
I remember my father taking me along to some USC game when I was knee high to a grass hopper... Marcus Allen was THE MAN, and a Trojan warrior would ride around the track on a white horse...
Dude, where'd the track go?

On the United game: Rod D was pretty darn good, unfortunately he still killed Kenny by getting his cramps/going down/United not clearing the ball to get him out of the game leading to a goal...
Now that Peralta is coming back(looking fired up, and hungry to make a difference) I hope that Sunday is the first day we can say that we will not see Burch in the central defense any more. He'll be out for his red against Humanity(Beckham).
Thompson played well, nice for these guys to get a chance to play in what was a pretty good game. A lot more respectable than their league game prior.
Thanks for the proper in game blogging Steve!
Tons of crap being thrown on the field in this MEX/CHI Jawn...
super classy Mexican Americans!

I appreciate C.Rockwell's analytical comments; something to learn from.Quite a contrast to some of the hyperventilating(inebriated?) outbursts.Keep it up.

Jeff Agoos's single greatest contribution to DC United was getting torched by Jaime Moreno in that USA v Bolivia friendly. If that play doesn't happen maybe we never sign Jaime.

@ Peter: Well, I'll do my best to keep up my hyperventilating(inebriated!) outbursts! You keep up not watching the games, jocking C. Rock, and posting early morning pointless posts...I really appreciate it.

#dadryan:FYI,I have been watching DCU since 1996,incl.every match on tv (road games).I have also been to a number of reserve games on Sunday mornings. If you need to know, I have played and coached soccer/futbol on 3 different continents.
I just prefer informed commentary to outbursts as I try to learn from others.

I'll kick a dead horse one last time. No disrespect to your pedigree.
@Peter: I just think it's funny when folks come around in the wee hours of the morning to post on a match night thread(not the aftermath) and want to poke the grizzly bears with sticks.
Chest Rockwell for president if you ask me. Lot's of folks on the match night thread are drinking,especially when the team is struggling and lots of people are blowing off steam out here especially when the club is struggling the way they are.
Pissing on a live wire is never advisable. That's all I meant.
No Hard feelings coach.