The D.C. United Thread - Pride, Passion, Tradition ***SPOILERS***

[NEColourULike]

D.C. United
The Most Successful Club In MLS History

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/nwoajs/DCUnitedcolorLogo.jpg
****

Home:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/nwoajs/paintedfield.jpg
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium

Club Cups, Honors, and Accolades:

1996 MLS Cup Winners
1997 MLS Cup Winners
1999 MLS Cup Winners
2004 MLS Cup Winners

1996 US Open Cup Winners
2008 US Open Cup Winners

1997 Supporters' Shield Winners
1999 Supporters' Shield Winners
2006 Supporters' Shield Winners
2007 Supporters' Shield Winners

1998 CONCACAF Champions' Cup Winners

1998 Copa Interamericana Winners

1997 CONCACAF Champions Cup Third Place
1999 CONCACAF Champions Cup Third Place
2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup Third Place

1998 MLS Cup Runners Up

Also The Winningest Team In MLS History


(3/12) Starting XI:
GK Zach Wells (http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t103&player=wells_z&playerId=wel385393&statType=current) #1
LB Marc Burch (http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t103&player=burch_m&playerId=bur095326&statType=current) #4
DC Gonzalo Peralta (http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t103&player=peralta_g&playerId=per052576&statType=current) #2
DC Gonzalo Martinez (http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t103&player=martinez_g&playerId=mar652454&statType=current) #23
RB Bryan Namoff (http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t103&player=namoff_b&playerId=nam474618&statType=current) #26
DM Clyde Simms (http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t103&player=simms_c&playerId=sim428791&statType=current) #19
LM Fred (http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t103&player=carreiro_h&playerId=car557968&statType=current) #7
AM Marcelo Gallardo (http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t103&player=gallardo_m&playerId=gal378877&statType=current) #10
RM Devon McTavish (http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t103&player=mctavish_d&playerId=mct059326&statType=current) #22
FW Luciano Emilio (http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t103&player=emilio_l&playerId=emi385627&statType=current) #11
FW Jaime Moreno (http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t103&player=moreno_j&playerId=mor177981&statType=current) (c) #99

Injured:
RM Ben Olsen (http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t103&player=olsen_b&playerId=ols177981&statType=current) #14
DC Gonzalo Martinez (http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t103&player=martinez_g&playerId=mar652454&statType=current) #23


Supporter Groups:
La Barra Brava (http://www.barra-brava.com/)
The Screaming Eagles (http://www.screaming-eagles.com/)
La Norte (http://www.lanorte.com/)

Blogs & News:
Soccer Insider (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/)
DCenters (http://dcunitedblog.blogspot.com/)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/nwoajs/1180236794.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/nwoajs/header_bg1.jpg
Winners of Twelve Major Domestic and International Championships

[NEColourULike]

2008 Fixtures:

% = CONCACAF Champions' Cup
$ = North American SuperLiga

March
03/12 - Wednesday @ Harbour View FC % T, 1-1
03/18 - Tuesday Harbour View FC % W, 0-5
03/29 - Saturday @ Kansas City Wizards L, 0-2

April
04/01 - Tuesday @ Pachuca CF % L, 0-2
04/05 - Saturday Toronto FC W, 1-4
04/09 - Wednesday Pachuca CF % W, 1-2
04/12 - Saturday @ Real Salt Lake L, 0-4
04/17 - Thursday Columbus Crew L, 2-1
04/26 - Saturday Real Salt Lake W, 1-4

May
05/04 - Sunday @ Colorado Rapids L, 0-2
05/08 - Thursday Chicago Fire 7:30 p.m.
05/17 - Saturday @ Chivas USA 10:30 p.m.
05/21 - Wednesday @ Toronto FC 7:30 p.m.
05/24 - Saturday Toronto FC 7:30 p.m.
05/29 - Thursday @ New England Revolution 7:30 p.m.

June
06/04 - Wednesday Houston Dynamo 7:30 p.m.
06/07 - Saturday @ Chicago Fire 8:30 p.m.
06/14 - Saturday New York Red Bulls 7:30 p.m.
06/22 - Sunday San Jose Earthquakes 3:00 p.m.
06/29 - Sunday Los Angeles Galaxy 12:00 p.m.

July
07/12 - Saturday CD Guadalajara $ 8:00 p.m.
07/15 - Tuesday Atlante $ 8:00 p.m.
07/19 - Saturday Houston Dynamo $ 8:00 p.m.

August
08/02 - Saturday Kansas City Wizards 7:30 p.m.
08/10 - Saturday @ New York Red Bulls 5:00 p.m.
08/16 - Saturday @ Chicago Fire 8:30 p.m.
08/20 - Wednesday @ New England Revolution 7:30 p.m.
08/23 - Saturday Colorado Rapids 7:30 p.m.
08/30 - Saturday New York Red Bulls 7:30 p.m.

September
09/06 - Saturday @ San Jose Earthquakes 10:00 p.m.
09/13 - Saturday FC Dallas 7:30 p.m.
09/20 - Saturday @ Los Angeles Galaxy 11:00 p.m.
09/28 - Sunday @ FC Dallas 3:00 p.m.

October
10/04 - Saturday Chivas USA 7:30 p.m.
10/12 - Sunday @ Houston Dynamo 7:00 p.m.
10/16 - Thursday New England Revolution 7:30 p.m.
10/26 - Sunday @ Columbus Crew 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 23
MLS Cup 2008 - 3:30 p.m.

[boomersooner]

Turn out the lights

[NEColourULike]

Turn out the lights

Supporters' Shield 06 and 07 and SuperLiga 08, CONCACAF 08, and all that to come.Chicago and FC Dallas: None of that.

[Simon323says]

Oh, it'll be fun when Angel lifts the MLS Cup in RFK. What are all your beer-showering fans gonna do then?

Thank you, Chicago.

[NEColourULike]

Won't happen, simply won't happen. The Soccer Gods may have pulled us out of this cup but they love D.C. United too much, and by association hate the Red Bulls too much to allow that to happen

[WengersArmy]

Do your fans know how to speak English?

[NEColourULike]

Do your fans know how to speak English?

Uhh... I'm fairly certain they do, yeah.

Any more questions? Maybe we can get an FAQ going

[CanadianRef]

tradition? dude the league's not even 12 years old yet....

[NEColourULike]

tradition? dude the league's not even 12 years old yet....

I'll take smack talk from RBNY trash because that's all they're capable of, but as for you no reason to come in being a twunt

[cartbran]

Is this a joke?
D.C. United get Niell on one-year loan

Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- D.C. United acquired Argentine forward Franco Niell on a one-year loan from Argentinos Junior on Tuesday.

Neill, 24, is expected to join United for the start of preseason training next week and will be officially added to the roster once he receives his work visa and international transfer certificate.

Niell has spent his entire professional career with Argentinos Junior, scoring 10 goals in 60 games since his debut during the 2004-05 season.

"We're getting a player who we believe has all the qualities to be successful on our team," general manager Dave Kasper said. "Franco is an energetic, hard working forward who will be a good complement to our team." [+ (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=500916&cc=5901)]
A 24 year old striker with 10 goals in 60 games? This seems like bottom barrel stuff to me. If this guy scores like Emilio, MLS has more serious quality issues than I would otherwise like to believe.

Does this mean that Gomez is out the door? They should drop Ben Olsen instead and sign Gomez to another deal.

[NEColourULike]

I doubt Emilio will even score like Emilio but that's another issue...

I think they're leaning towards a third striker which we didn't manage to get last year, if he scores 5 times in 30 games it's a step up over Kpene. I don't even know if we could maintain another Emilio on the payroll, if Emilio's contract were up he'd probably be gone

Here's more on the Gomez situation from Goff, as well as a central attacking mid:

Kasper declined to comment on the prospects of United adding Argentine playmaker Marcelo Gallardo. What do I make of it? Clearly, the club cannot accommodate both Gallardo and Christian Gomez, and Kasper reiterated today that negotiations continue between United and Gomez's representatives. Perhaps a trade is in the works, a deal that would send Gomez elsewhere in MLS to a club willing to give him what he wants (big bucks and guaranteed years) and clear space for Gallardo. As I reported earlier, Colorado is the only MLS team I know of that has expressed interest in Gomez.

My question is exactly what is Fred supposed to be now; chopped liver? I was under the impression DCU brought him in with a view to moving him central if Gomez flew the coup

[Midnight Attack]

They should drop Ben Olsen instead and sign Gomez to another deal.

I can't believe you just said that.

[NEColourULike]

I can't believe you just said that.

Yeah well no one's getting rid of the beard, no one has the balls to deliver the news to 'em

[cartbran]

Yeah well no one's getting rid of the beard, no one has the balls to deliver the news to 'em

I've met him in person. He's a dwarf. And an arrogant little prick at that. Plus, aside from his "hustle", he's pretty crap most of the time. Gomez on the other hand has been MVP since the day he put on the shirt. He deserves the money. It's just a shame that MLS rewards crap Americans with fat contracts while screwing the blue collar Johnny Foreigners that are actually getting the job done.

[NEColourULike]

I've met him in person. He's a dwarf. And an arrogant little prick at that. Plus, aside from his "hustle", he's pretty crap most of the time. Gomez on the other hand has been MVP since the day he put on the shirt. He deserves the money. It's just a shame that MLS rewards crap Americans with fat contracts while screwing the blue collar Johnny Foreigners that are actually getting the job done.


From Goff:

At some point during this year-long process, United did offer two guaranteed years with incentives for a third guaranteed year, valued at between $300,000 and $350,000 per season, but Gomez had it in his mind that he was a $1 million player. To clarify, not $1 million per season, but $1 million over two, which would have meant 500K per year and DCU's designated player slot. United was not going to go there, and you probably can't blame them. Although, if you looked at some of the other salaries around the league last year (Donovan 900K, E. Johnson 875K, Ruiz 435K, Angel $1.6 million), you might empathize with Gomez, who, unlike all those players except Ruiz, has won an MVP award. Age, of course, is a significant factor when discussing big money and contract extensions.

One source told me that Gomez also became too emotional about things, such as United's pursuit of Juan Sebastian Veron, even though that signing had nothing to do with his standing on the club. Along those lines, Gomez apparently was also miffed that he did not receive any of the team's major postseason awards.

I partly can't blame Christian, this is clearly the dark side of the DP culture, but if Christian becomes a million dollar guy, then that pisses off Emilio who was looking for a renegotiation but had his option exercised. Then you piss off Fred, Olsen, and Moreno. In the new DP era we've got a roster that out-performs their DP counterparts, far and away. We're now struggling to keep a loaded competitive roster, and Christian may have, in this new climate, aced himself out.

Not to mention Ben Olson had a great 07, not as instrumental as Christian Gomez but the energy and presence he bought to the team certainly had an effect on his team mates. Not to mention without Ben, who's going to protect Christian when he spits on CJ Brown?

Update:

Concerning Christian Gomez
I've been told that he has an offer in the Middle East and would take home $600,000 this year, but would prefer to remain in MLS. He's definitely not coming back to D.C. United, but six teams have expressed interest in acquiring him. The question is whether any of them are willing to pay him -- and guarantee him -- what he wants.

There are three possible scenarios: 1.) He signs with a club abroad and United receives nothing for him since he is out of contract; 2.) An MLS team agrees to his salary requirements and offers players/money/picks to DCU; or 3.) An MLS team takes a chance by acquiring his rights from DCU before agreeing to a deal, in which case DCU would probably have to settle for conditional picks or money.

Through an intermediary, Gomez wanted to say: "Thank you to D.C. fans. My family and I will miss them."

What are the chances he ends up in the DCU Graveyard aka RSL?

[cartbran]

I don't think $500k a year is that much to ask for really, considering everything he did for the club. Of course that sum is way outside DCU's salary structure, it is fair considering what other players around the league a paid. He certainly deserves to paid among the upper eschelons of MLS players. Check the MLS salary table from 2007.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/mls/longterm/2007/salaries_07.html

Is there any wonder why young players are running to Europe?

[NEColourULike]

By the standards that DP's set last year who at D.C. United or Houston or New England isn't a DP? The DPs have set the bar so low that there are now MANY 500k players in MLS. We're going to be seeing this now when nearly everyones contract comes up, is Emilio not DP money worthy now? DPs are going to effect American salaries big time, because when the lions share are going to seasoned players from foreign countries young Americans are going to have to look for their pay-day over seas.

The guys I feel bad for are guys like Perkins. He was making like 12 grand a year under Nowak, nice to see he got up to 85k but certainly an argument can be made he was worth more, especially considering the GKs who were making 150k.

[cartbran]

The guys I feel bad for are guys like Perkins. He was making like 12 grand a year under Nowak, nice to see he got up to 85k but certainly an argument can be made he was worth more, especially considering the GKs who were making 150k.
Even at $85k, Perkins doubled his money going to play in Norway. The fact is, MLS set themselves up for this crap with all their stupid and idiotic salary rules and designations. And that just goes back to the single ownership structure. They created the DP as an excuse to pay Beckham a huge salary and now there is a situation where every team now has players demanding to be DP's. It's stupid. They should just pay people what they are worth and if the team cannot, another team will. That's capitalism. The MLS works on a whole different planet of economics.

[NEColourULike]

Even at $85k, Perkins doubled his money going to play in Norway. The fact is, MLS set themselves up for this crap with all their stupid and idiotic salary rules and designations. And that just goes back to the single ownership structure. They created the DP as an excuse to pay Beckham a huge salary and now there is a situation where every team now has players demanding to be DP's. It's stupid. They should just pay people what they are worth and if the team cannot, another team will. That's capitalism. The MLS works on a whole different planet of economics.

I agree with you until you get to abolishing the salary cap. This league just won't survive without it. The sport isn't popular enough in this country to maintain with a few 'top teams' and a bunch of tomato cans; this isn't baseball. The DP rule is a pandora's box that should have never been opened.

[cartbran]

I agree with you until you get to abolishing the salary cap. This league just won't survive without it. The sport isn't popular enough in this country to maintain with a few 'top teams' and a bunch of tomato cans; this isn't baseball. The DP rule is a pandora's box that should have never been opened.

I don't think I ever said that the salary cap was the problem. The problem is the single ownership structure, which does not exist in any other sport to my knowledge except crap like UFC. My beef is with that structure which has produced all these idiotic and nonsensical classifications that are directly attached to player salary. There is the DP. There is the Development contract. There is the foreign player thing. P-40. And on and on and on and on.

[dbzclips]

I don't think I ever said that the salary cap was the problem. The problem is the single ownership structure, which does not exist in any other sport to my knowledge except crap like UFC. My beef is with that structure which has produced all these idiotic and nonsensical classifications that are directly attached to player salary. There is the DP. There is the Development contract. There is the foreign player thing. P-40. And on and on and on and on.

not only that, but the MLS is so fuckin secretive about everything! :eek:

[NEColourULike]

I don't think I ever said that the salary cap was the problem. The problem is the single ownership structure, which does not exist in any other sport to my knowledge except crap like UFC. My beef is with that structure which has produced all these idiotic and nonsensical classifications that are directly attached to player salary. There is the DP. There is the Development contract. There is the foreign player thing. P-40. And on and on and on and on.

Well then agreed once again. The ownership structure has all sorts of ugly facets to it, but the worst for me is how it strips the communal spirit from the sport. They took San Jose, a club that was already great, and moved them to Houston, creating a bunch of 'born on third' Houston supporters. Now they're bringing back SJ as an expansion side? It's absolutely ugly, and makes you wonder - if on the off chance DC failed to get a stadium in Maryland, could we wake up to Hoboken United or some other ridiculous franchise?

I'm not completely against the ownership structure, it's just that MLS could certainly afford to release the reigns especially as more and more franchises become profitable

not only that, but the MLS is so fuckin secretive about everything! :eek:

That's what 0 media scrutiny does for you. It's a miracle and a half that we've got Goff to bring us as much news as he can. The fact that they can pass off the signing of Christian Gomez in Colorado as a major surprise really highlights that.

[NEColourULike]

The goal from D.C. United vs. Harbour View

v/lGcfcnzYHw4

[BiG_MaNC]

So do you think Gallardo will be as good/better than Gomez? Gomez was a pretty good player for you.

[NEColourULike]

it's a bit early to tell, and there may never be an exact answer. I dont believe any of Gomez's seasons are exactly comparable to this years over-hauled D.C. United. Thus far this United side is definitely more composed, the times the team was without Olsen and Moreno last year they looked absolutely lost. The side at RFK were completely dominant, passed well, and actually played on the wings.

The caveat is that all we've seen thus far is D.C. United vs. a side currently 5th in their league

The first test is going to be Saturday in Kansas with the major test coming Tuesday in Pachuca

[NEColourULike]

random beer-scattered thoughts from me, that won't make sense (before the next dipshit decides to attack my INCREDIBLE english skillz)

- I'm willing to forgive this loss, D.C. United has a TRADITION of losing the first 3 matches and doing GREAT things in the league afterwards. 0-3? We'll take that MLS Cup thank you. 0-3? We'll take that Supporter's Shield thank you. The problem is we DON'T have a tradition of fucking up in MLS and doing ANYTHING internationally.

- International players generally take a few games to get used to the physicality of the league. This bottom barrel shite of the league has made it hpretty clear that their number 1 strategy is to hack Marcelo Gallardo. No offense TFC but you're up next in the league and you already have a reputation for hacking, and you've imported CHIEF HACKER NUMERO UNO Kevin Harmse. I don't expect a pretty game there next weekend.

- I miss Troy Perkins. I'm not gonna say I miss Gomez yet because this is more of a well-rounded team than when he was here and Gallardo has certainly shown his bright-side. It's also hard to blame our keeper when our WORLD CLASS defensive line was nowhere to be seen during some VERY scary moments.

- Pachuca is going to be FUCKIGN QUICK and they'll be PLAYING IN THEIR OWN HOME. That doesn't bold well for the same old united I saw tonight, who couldn't be bothered to hustle after simple balls to regain possession. Please bring it, if we win CONCACAF this year D.C. United you have my permission to laze your ass around for the rest of the season.

- This was a frustrating match to watch especially after watching a good half hour of Houston vs. New England.

- Never the less all other MLS sides will STILL fear when we come to town. We are still the lords of this league, master of this domain, and will soon be crown gods of the CONCACAF region!

[cartbran]

Letting Gomez go is going to prove a costly mistake. Losing at KC, not that big a deal though. If they lost to KC at home, then there would be a problem. They started last season pretty slowly too, they were flat out awful for the first 6 games until the clicked and turned it on. Losing Gomez is a problem, but not fatal. But I just don't see the team winning the Shield again.

[NEColourULike]

Letting Gomez go is going to prove a costly mistake. Losing at KC, not that big a deal though. If they lost to KC at home, then there would be a problem. They started last season pretty slowly too, they were flat out awful for the first 6 games until the clicked and turned it on. Losing Gomez is a problem, but not fatal. But I just don't see the team winning the Shield again.

Couldn't really see them winning the shield this time last year either, im not stressing that, I'm more worried about Tuesday's game. I think once Gallardo gets used to the league the same way it took both Fred and Emilio some time, he'll be rolling. The key difference is Christian Gomez was at times our *entire* offense. Bear in mind the size of the field last night wasn't friendly to wing play, and Fred started on the bench. I really don't think it's an indicator of the season or the team.

Even if Gallardo isn't Gomez, Gomez never played with as well rounded a team is my point.

Edit: Interesting tidbit from the new official D.C. United blog (http://www.behindthebadge.com/2008/03/mls-game-1-dcu-0-kc-2.php):

Well, that didn’t go exactly as everyone had hoped, did it? United falls 2-0 to the Kansas City Wizards. The good news is that every single season the Black-and-Red has opened with a two-goal loss to the Wizards, they’ve rebounded to win the Supporters’ Shield. Get up on your history, folks.

[cartbran]

The key difference is Christian Gomez was at times our *entire* offense.
It is not just that Gomez was the whole offense, he was the most complete midfielder in the entire league the last 2 seasons. He created, he held posession, he was the engine room and when needed he scored too. And that's why it was such a no-brainer to send Adu packing. Not a single supporter was upset at all that day.

[boomersooner]

Let me just say that game in KC yesterday was UNWATCHABLE. That camera was so far away from the field I could barely tell which players were which.

[NEColourULike]

It is not just that Gomez was the whole offense, he was the most complete midfielder in the entire league the last 2 seasons. He created, he held posession, he was the engine room and when needed he scored too. And that's why it was such a no-brainer to send Adu packing. Not a single supporter was upset at all that day.

Miss him, I certainly do, I just don't think it's time to go into panic mode yet. In 3 matches we've seen Gallardo hold, and create as well, the problem is he's mostly down on his ass in the back third. The fouls Kansas were putting in on him were ridiculous, and if it continues what is to blame isn't Gallardo but our probably Tom Soehn. The league is well aware that the D.C. United game plan has been to get it to number 10 and make things happen. We set a goal scoring record last year doing that, and Gomez was number 2 in the league in terms of being passed to. They're not gonna let us get away with that, and while Gallardo gets used to the league some of that pressure has to be taken off him.

Let me just say that game in KC yesterday was UNWATCHABLE. That camera was so far away from the field I could barely tell which players were which.

Yeah I actually heard recently that it wasn't so much that the KC field was narrow, it was the angle of the camera (although there were grumblings about the field size going into the match so I dunno who's right) The camera wasn't my biggest gripe, it was when our partners over at Reyes Media began drowning in to the English commentary every few minutes!

[dsp87260]

...



Yeah I actually heard recently that it wasn't so much that the KC field was narrow, it was the angle of the camera (although there were grumblings about the field size going into the match so I dunno who's right) The camera wasn't my biggest gripe, it was when our partners over at Reyes Media began drowning in to the English commentary every few minutes!

from a post over at BigSoccer...

Here is a shot from the west end of CAB, for all you claiming the field is 50 yards wide.
http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/5063/pic2uh5.jpg

[NEColourULike]

ahhh what kind of losers play on a baseball field anyway, tell em to stick it :)

[dsp87260]

ahhh what kind of losers play on a baseball field anyway, tell em to stick it :)

DC United? :p


(for those who don't know, DC has been sharing their stadium with a MLB team until this year....the field at RFK has been completely redone to get rid of the pitcher's mound, etc. right?)

[boomersooner]

Think the minor league team is going to complain about soccer lines on the field? ;)

[NEColourULike]

DC United? :p


(for those who don't know, DC has been sharing their stadium with a MLB team until this year....the field at RFK has been completely redone to get rid of the pitcher's mound, etc. right?)

We were MAJOR league losers! :)

Edit: And I meant to post this back when it originally happened - D.C. United 3 goals 5 minutes

v/t9c1Yl8I-jc

[Bearded Kyle]

So what's the early consensus on Gallardo? Did I hear he's sporting the 3rd biggest contract in MLS?

[NEColourULike]

So what's the early consensus on Gallardo? Did I hear he's sporting the 3rd biggest contract in MLS?

He's getting there, his contract essentially counts the same as Gomez's did toward the cap, and we have another DP slot from when we traded Gomez. He's going to be great he's just a different kind of player, and he's a couple years younger so the longevity issues aren't quite so concerning.

in Whitecaps news though I hear you guys have gotten our Justin Moose from us :(

Please treat him well, and shout MOOOOSE whenever he gets the ball :)

Moose Crossing

Midfielder Justin Moose, who earned a roster spot with D.C. United after the club did not pick up the option on his contract in December, is leaving for the USL1 Vancouver Whitecaps, DCU confirmed today. Moose, a first-round pick from Wake Forest in the 2006 draft who is also an aspiring musician, started four matches last year and attracted interest from USL clubs this winter, but decided to pursue a spot with DCU and received a developmental contract. He was not on the 18-man game roster in either of the first two league matches.

Details to come.....

Third player I believe to go from D.C. United to the Whitecaps, after Addlery and Nolly. More incentive to root for you guys when you come up against Toronto and Montreal later on ;)

Edit: And the first two goals from D.C. United vs. TFC are in -

v/Q2oJGHXCBUU

[Bearded Kyle]

That is some baaaaaaaaaad defending.

[NEColourULike]

That is some baaaaaaaaaad defending.

Poor Greg Sutton, 2 world class saves and his back line still can't be bothered to give him a helping hand

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/nwoajs/DC-United-1207515068.jpg
WTF?!

I feel your pain, dude...


Edit: News from Goff (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/)


More Justin Moose to Vancouver Whitecaps news -

*MF Justin Moose has arrived in Vancouver. "He needs games," United GM Dave Kasper said. It's still unclear whether he is there on loan or transfer. Details will be finalized later this week, Kasper said.

From BehindTheBadge (http://www.behindthebadge.com)

Numero uno: As Steven Goff reported yesterday, Justin Moose has indeed made his way to Vancouver where he will spend some time training with the Whitecaps, of United Soccer League's First Division (USL-1). The midfielder is simply exploring the possibility of playing for our Northern friends and nothing official has yet been determined. Moose will see a couple of familiar faces in Nicholas Addlery and Jay Nolly, both of whom played for the Black-and-Red last year. They both signed with Vancouver during the off-season and figure to play prominent roles with the team.

More news from Goff -

*In its final match before facing DCU on Wednesday in the second leg of the Champions' Cup semifinals at RFK, Pachuca used some reserves and won at Club America, 3-1, on goals by Brambila, Aguilar and Lopez. America, also managing minutes, has a Copa Libertadores match this week with Universidad Catolica.

*gulp* they used reserves and thrashed Club America. Thats of a far different order than thrashing TFC...

*DCU's Santino Quaranta has a broken hand, but will not miss any matches.


Lastly in all my negativity about this match I forgot that there was a time last season, when this free scoring record setting side was showing up to matches against teams like TFC and RSL and barely grinding out victories, then putting on clinics against teams like New England. I'm glad to see the 'negative' side of playing on a teams level wasn't on display at RFK

[NEColourULike]

Access United - D.C. United vs. Toronto FC

v/TH8WKfgLxZc

I'll try and keep up to date with these

Santino's maturing into the D.C. United legend we always knew he could be

[deviant]

Your out, Pachuca in.

[NEColourULike]

Your out, Pachuca in.

fuck a pachuca it should have been 3-1, what a shitty ref

[NEColourULike]

Your most recent D.C. United goals

85' Rod Dyachenko (Fred)

v/dgBxjJIJyqk

90' Franco Niell (Fred)

v/vsWqAgvoWJE

+ the penalty the ref didn't call I count 3-1

[dsp87260]

I haven't seen the game yet (still downloading it), but having listened to the radio feed (online) during the game it sounded as if the ref didn't really screw DC as much with the non-pk call as he did with the stoppage time (or lack thereof)....

He ended the first half after only 50 seconds of stoppage time with DC building an attack...and then only added 2 minutes of it for the end of the 2nd half and blew his whistle after 1:50 (min:sec)...

With all the subs used (6, 3 for each team) and the goals scored, there should have been at least 3 or 4 minutes added.

DCU was on a tear and possibly could have scored a 3rd goal in that 2 minutes or so extra that should have been added.

[NEColourULike]

I haven't seen the game yet (still downloading it), but having listened to the radio feed (online) during the game it sounded as if the ref didn't really screw DC as much with the non-pk call as he did with the stoppage time (or lack thereof)....

He ended the first half after only 50 seconds of stoppage time with DC building an attack...and then only added 2 minutes of it for the end of the 2nd half and blew his whistle after 1:50 (min:sec)...

With all the subs used (6, 3 for each team) and the goals scored, there should have been at least 3 or 4 minutes added.

DCU was on a tear and possibly could have scored a 3rd goal in that 2 minutes or so extra that should have been added.

This guy Jose Aguilar hit every bullet point in the "I'm Being Paid Off" handbook. From the yellows on our forwards right out of the gate to slow down our attack , to the penalty (which you'll see was ridiculous), to the stoppage time in the first half (which DC was very much on the attack and were pushing up the pitch when the whistle was blown early) to the stoppage at the end. It was so ridiculous. I wish I could find footage of Tommy Soehn's interview after the match because he was rightfully pissed.

[Bearded Kyle]

Real Salt Lake 4 - DC 0.

What the heck? Real Salt Lake? Have they been using their Adu money well?

[dsp87260]

Real Salt Lake 4 - DC 0.

What the heck? Real Salt Lake? Have they been using their Adu money well?

They beat DC in Salt Lake City just about every year...I think this makes at least 3 years in a row (not sure about 2005, their first year).

[cartbran]

They beat DC in Salt Lake City just about every year...I think this makes at least 3 years in a row (not sure about 2005, their first year).

As someone who watched the first half before turning to watch Family Guy, I will say that the #1 issue with that game was the turf. We looked completely uncomfortable. The ball was pinging around and bouncing all over the pitch and we were not used to it and had no ability to deal with it, particulalry defensively. But it also screwed up our passing attack. Also, Gallardo sat out entirely because of the turf issue.

RSL playing at the UofU stadium is just a disgrace. Wholly and entirely a disgrace to MLS. They've been in the league since 2005 and still have not completed their own stadium yet. Plus they are in a small market and no one goes to their games. Meanwhile, other small market cities like Rochester have massive followings for their USL team (averaging attendance over 10,000 per game and have had their own football-only stadium for years) and yet, yet, nothing. Kansas City is playing in a baseball diamond ffs.

While I will support DCU, I hate the MLS. I really do.

[dsp87260]

As someone who watched the first half before turning to watch Family Guy, I will say that the #1 issue with that game was the turf. We looked completely uncomfortable. The ball was pinging around and bouncing all over the pitch and we were not used to it and had no ability to deal with it, particulalry defensively. But it also screwed up our passing attack. Also, Gallardo sat out entirely because of the turf issue.

RSL playing at the UofU stadium is just a disgrace. Wholly and entirely a disgrace to MLS. They've been in the league since 2005 and still have not completed their own stadium yet. Plus they are in a small market and no one goes to their games. Meanwhile, other small market cities like Rochester have massive followings for their USL team (averaging attendance over 10,000 per game and have had their own football-only stadium for years) and yet, yet, nothing. Kansas City is playing in a baseball diamond ffs.

While I will support DCU, I hate the MLS. I really do.

Dude! WTF?

You need to study a little more about this 'cause you don't know what you're talking about.

The reason RSL hasn't had their stadium finished yet is all political....it was delayed by political wrangling from the area politicians and is back on track now. If RSL makes the play-offs, they will be playing in their new stadium (it'll be done in October). EDIT: Oh, and it's really rich for a DC fan to be talking about how long another team has been in the league without building its own stadium....care to look at your own team? When is DC gonna build their own stadium? Seems to me that situation has been going on a lot longer than RSL's situation and DCU has been getting jerked around by the area politicians a lot like RSL was for a while...

As far your comment about attendance, WTF? RSL is one of the highest attended teams in the league! They averaged 15960 last year....behind Chicago (16490), DC (20967), LA (24252), NE (16742), NY (16530), and TFC (20130). That puts them in 7th place last year (out of 13), but if you take out the Beckham games (which distorted the attendance averages) then they move up to at least 5th and maybe 4th (ahead of NE and NY and maybe Chicago)...All while having one of the worst teams in the league...

If you'd take a little time to get your facts straight, you might not hate it as much. :rolleyes:

EDIT 2: Just wanted add facts to your comments on Rochester....you talk about their "massive" support for their USL team....if the support is so "massive" then why were they about to fold and go bankrupt? (they were recently "saved" by a new owner stepping in) MLS almost dove into that Rochester market ("promoting" the Rhinos similar to what's happening with Seattle) and were shown to be wise not to based on the financial problems of the club that came to light soon after they decided against bringing them into MLS.

and to KC...yeah, they're playing in a Baseball park with a limited capacity right now, but their new owners are building them a stadium...How's DC's new stadium coming along?....regardless, would you rather see them play in the cavernous place they had been playing in until this year? Most MLS fans think KC is now in a better situation (and besides, Arrowhead stadium is under renovation so they can't play there anyway).

Again, take some time to actually learn about the circumstances and you might find that MLS is generally doing well and making the right decisions.

[NEColourULike]

Real Salt Lake 4 - DC 0.

What the heck? Real Salt Lake? Have they been using their Adu money well?

I agree with cartbran most of our guys have never even heard of turf let alone played on it, it's a football field which ain't made for rolling balls on. So you know.. if you're a team that actually passes the balls and makes an attempt at playing beautiful soccer.. you're gonna find the ball going completely out of control

the only reason I didn't update with this though is because spending a week breaking down and dissecting this match will probably make me physically ill. There was bad on both ends some of it necessary some of it not. 3 points for RSL, good job, the lower teams always have 1 of the higher teams numbers every year and RSL has ours.

[dsp87260]

I agree with cartbran most of our guys have never even heard of turf let alone played on it, it's a football field which ain't made for rolling balls on. So you know.. if you're a team that actually passes the balls and makes an attempt at playing beautiful soccer.. you're gonna find the ball going completely out of control

the only reason I didn't update with this though is because spending a week breaking down and dissecting this match will probably make me physically ill. There was bad on both ends some of it necessary some of it not. 3 points for RSL, good job, the lower teams always have 1 of the higher teams numbers every year and RSL has ours.

I have no problems with cartbran's first paragraph...I actually agree with it and you...

but the rest of his post is garbage.

[BiG_MaNC]

Even if you have beaten Pachuca 3-1 you still wouldve gone out on away goals, no? Or does that not apply in that competition?

[NEColourULike]

Even if you have beaten Pachuca 3-1 you still wouldve gone out on away goals, no? Or does that not apply in that competition?

no away goals, just would have forced extra time (which the way we were going, would have probably saw us move to the finals)

[dsp87260]

Even if you have beaten Pachuca 3-1 you still wouldve gone out on away goals, no? Or does that not apply in that competition?

Away goals aren't used as a tie-breaker in CONCACAF....if they had been, it would have been DCU and Houston advancing to the Final last year instead of the 2 Mexican teams.

[cartbran]

I have no problems with cartbran's first paragraph...I actually agree with it and you...

but the rest of his post is garbage.

Hmmm, so that 13,193 that showed up on a Saturday night for your second home game of the season against the team that won the East Supporters Shield last season is good? Try to defend that?

There was never any justification for MLS to put a team there. They have requirements for all cities trying to get a franchise including 1) size of media market, 2) stadium, 3) pre-sale season tickets.

[dsp87260]

Hmmm, so that 13,193 that showed up on a Saturday night for your second home game of the season against the team that won the East Supporters Shield last season is good? Try to defend that?

There was never any justification for MLS to put a team there. They have requirements for all cities trying to get a franchise including 1) size of media market, 2) stadium, 3) pre-sale season tickets.

RSL isn't my team...I'm an MLS neutral. If anything, I cheer for DC more often than any other MLS team because they play in international competitions more often.

Yeah, the crowd this past weekend sucked....but what about the 20000+ for their first home game (against Chicago)?

RSL gets much closer to 20000 more often than not.

Again, they are with the top teams in attendance over a season....how can you possibly say "there was never any justification for MLS to put a team there" and expect to get taken seriously?

The number one requirement for expansion is the strength and commitment of the ownership group...RSL has it. They have a stadium to play in for the time being and they have one being built for them.....again, that's more than DC can say...and their stadium will be done by the end of the year, before DC gets a stadium of their own and before RBNY gets their stadium finished too. I can't say much about the size of their media market or their season ticket sales...I don't have the numbers...but I can tell you this...RSL makes more money for the league (or at least loses less) with their situation than DC does (don't forget the astronomical rent that has to be paid to play in RFK and the lack of revenue control).

[BiG_MaNC]

no away goals, just would have forced extra time (which the way we were going, would have probably saw us move to the finals)

Away goals aren't used as a tie-breaker in CONCACAF....if they had been, it would have been DCU and Houston advancing to the Final last year instead of the 2 Mexican teams.

Ok cool, I was wondering because I was unable to find any info on it and some website/blog mentioned it... I knew not everything on the internet was true :p

[Bearded Kyle]

Hmmm, so that 13,193 that showed up on a Saturday night for your second home game of the season against the team that won the East Supporters Shield last season is good? Try to defend that?

There was never any justification for MLS to put a team there. They have requirements for all cities trying to get a franchise including 1) size of media market, 2) stadium, 3) pre-sale season tickets.

Pre-sale tickets can't really be a requirement. You can't pre-sell them until there's a team to sell tickets for.

MLS has said that stadium is a priority but Paul Allen and friends waved a bit of money and they were perfectly fine to allow Seattle to play in the Q-West for the forseeable future.

I know Philadelphia is planning on building a waterfront stadium but I don't know if they've gotten the ok or broken ground. The MLS said a stadium has to be in place, that won't be the case by the time Philly kicks off at any rate. They seem to be a bit flimsy on their ability to stick to their plans.

I'm only concerned because to me the writing's on the wall that they're not that interested in any more Canadian teams. On hand I can understand that it doesn't help when trying to nail down national TV deals but those aren't happening anyways. If they want good grassroots support then just look at Toronto. Montreal and Vancouver can offer atleast that imo.

So to make this relevant to the topic ... DC United are ... um ... a team. Good for them.

[NEColourULike]

So to make this relevant to the topic ... DC United are ... um ... a team. Good for them.

and congrats in your victory over Montreal last weekend, I heard our man Nicholas Addlery got the start

Edit: speaking of the whitecaps it's official - Justin Moose to Vancouver Whitecaps courtesy of the official D.C. United blog (http://www.behindthebadge.com/2008/04/justin-moose-to-vancouver-whit.php)

[Bearded Kyle]

Thanks. Unfortunately I missed the game, doubly unfortunate since so few games are televised. It's certainly nice to get a little confidence going in to the Canada Cup.

I'll be sure to keep an eye out for the DC United old boys. Are all three loans? I wonder if there's a relationship between management of the two teams.

[NEColourULike]

nah Addlery and Nolly were let go, I'm hearing Moose would have been a loan but due to screwy MLS rules that would have meant that Moose would have had to stay on the 28 man DC United roster, so he was waived. I'm sure that's the case with all three as a matter of fact, Nolly never got many starts but Addlery was pretty solid in his appearances. The problem is they were in an odd position of not quite being 'reserve' quality guys but not quite being regular subs either. Moose became a guy you saw when the injuries started piling up, but he certainly worked his ass off when he came on and became a something of a fan favorite.

[NEColourULike]

talk about bullshit I mean wtf is going on with this side? 5 games, 15 days ok theres your excuse, but the fact of the matter is we lost because that fucking deadbeat Luciano Emilio can't put away a shot to save his life. That's right Luciano Emilio, or 'Luciano' as he seems to want to be called now, the reigning MLS MVP, the Golden Boot winner. If he had any class he'd ship both of those awards straight to Christian Gomez because its clear who really won them. I'm just fucking incredulous watching this side dominate every part of the field and then fucking up in front of goal. 2 goals was not enough to beat us tonight. But all credit to Columbus, in all reality we should have lost 2-0, but we lose 2-1. Thanks for the goal Columbus you've helped us salvage some semblance of dignity.

Last place again, we were here last year too, hopefully we can dig our way out of the hole.

[dsp87260]

talk about bullshit I mean wtf is going on with this side? 5 games, 15 days ok theres your excuse, but the fact of the matter is we lost because that fucking deadbeat Luciano Emilio can't put away a shot to save his life. That's right Luciano Emilio, or 'Luciano' as he seems to want to be called now, the reigning MLS MVP, the Golden Boot winner. If he had any class he'd ship both of those awards straight to Christian Gomez because its clear who really won them. I'm just fucking incredulous watching this side dominate every part of the field and then fucking up in front of goal. 2 goals was not enough to beat us tonight. But all credit to Columbus, in all reality we should have lost 2-0, but we lose 2-1. Thanks for the goal Columbus you've helped us salvage some semblance of dignity.

Last place again, we were here last year too, hopefully we can dig our way out of the hole.

You guys had a sh!tty start to last season too....I'm confident DC will do better in the coming months ;)

[NEColourULike]

You guys had a sh!tty start to last season too....I'm confident DC will do better in the coming months ;)

alright but this is the match, we went 0-3-1 last year, got a win against TFC and turned the season around, bear in mind though we were still REALLY shaky until July or so. Remember between that 0-3 start and the turn around in mid summer we got alot of late penalty calls that turned games around for us. Luck might have run out. Now we're 1-3-0, I know we'll salvage the season but how long will we have to wait to do that?

Hopefully Tommy does what he did last year, sit starters who aren't performing. START SANTINO QUARANTA!

[boomersooner]

talk about bullshit I mean wtf is going on with this side? 5 games, 15 days ok theres your excuse,

Problem is, the last 2 months of the season are going to be like this also.

[NEColourULike]

Problem is, the last 2 months of the season are going to be like this also.

people are starting to wonder why Don Garber & Co. are scheduling the event where MLS gets a large share of the pie (SuperLiga) so favorably, versus CONCACAF tournaments. It's shooting yourself in the foot Don, because I guarantee if teams have to choose between being champion of MLS and champion of the entire region, they'll choose the region.

[dsp87260]

people are starting to wonder why Don Garber & Co. are scheduling the event where MLS gets a large share of the pie (SuperLiga) so favorably, versus CONCACAF tournaments. It's shooting yourself in the foot Don, because I guarantee if teams have to choose between being champion of MLS and champion of the entire region, they'll choose the region.

I disagree...I think teams are more focused on winning the league....the CONCACAF tournaments are barely a blip on the radar even to most soccer fans in the US (compare the attendances).

Part of that is lack of marketing by MLS/SUM, CONCACAF, US soccer, or whoever....but part of it also is the American mindset of valuing our domestic competition more highly than these outside tournaments (speaking of American sports in general).

[NEColourULike]

I disagree...I think teams are more focused on winning the league....the CONCACAF tournaments are barely a blip on the radar even to most soccer fans in the US (compare the attendances).

Part of that is lack of marketing by MLS/SUM, CONCACAF, US soccer, or whoever....but part of it also is the American mindset of valuing our domestic competition more highly than these outside tournaments (speaking of American sports in general).

True but you can't deny that D.C. United puts much more emphasis on CONCACAF, and the die-hard supporters do as well. It's one thing for sides who haven't really been to the MLS mountain top many times, sure that's great (not that D.C. United is above the MLS cup, not by a long shot), but this side has only conquered CONCACAF once and would love to do so again.

[dsp87260]

True but you can't deny that D.C. United puts much more emphasis on CONCACAF, and the die-hard supporters do as well. It's one thing for sides who haven't really been to the MLS mountain top many times, sure that's great (not that D.C. United is above the MLS cup, not by a long shot), but this side has only conquered CONCACAF once and would love to do so again.

I won't really argue with that...

I disagreed with your previous post because you were much more general in your statement. (you said "...I guarantee if teams have to choose..." as opposed to DC specifically)

Even with that distinction I have my doubts as to what the team (DC United players and staff) would prefer (as opposed to the fans), but I won't argue...;)

[NEColourULike]

I won't really argue with that...

I disagreed with your previous post because you were much more general in your statement. (you said "...I guarantee if teams have to choose..." as opposed to DC specifically)

Even with that distinction I have my doubts as to what the team (DC United players and staff) would prefer (as opposed to the fans), but I won't argue...;)

I'd probably agree with you, theres still no denying the attendance for league matches vs. CONCACAF matches :)

[boomersooner]

people are starting to wonder why Don Garber & Co. are scheduling the event where MLS gets a large share of the pie (SuperLiga) so favorably, versus CONCACAF tournaments. It's shooting yourself in the foot Don, because I guarantee if teams have to choose between being champion of MLS and champion of the entire region, they'll choose the region.

Well I think this will be the only year where the same teams go to Superliga and CCL.

IMO it should be the SS, MLS Cup, US Open Cup and the next highest team in the table(if some of these overlap then take the highest team in the table left that hasn't won one of these) to go to the CCL.

Then the next 4 to go to Superliga. Would Superliga be so bad this year if it was Chicago, FC Dallas, New York and Kansas City? Nah, it would be great! Blanco, Toja, Davino, Juan Pablo Angel, Altidore, Lopez.....

Just my .02

[NEColourULike]

It's also the fact that teams get the entire month off for SuperLiga but no breaks for CONCACAF matches.

FCD, CHI, and KC would be awesome in that tourney, not so much NJ I'm sure those choke-artists would figure out a way to botch it ;)
FCD, CHI, and KC have a real penchant for getting going in do or die situations, motivated and in form during the summer months I'm quite sure any of those three sides would represent MLS well.

a tidbit from Goff:

*The 2007 MLS Cup finalists (Houston and N.E.) and regular season conference winners (D.C. and Chivas) have a combined 4-8-5 record.

The only thing that lifts my mood is to tune in and discover Houston and N.E. have dropped more points (which is immediately tempered by the fact that they only really turn it up for one month out of the year anyway :rolleyes:)

Edit: Tom Soehn with a subtle criticism of the scheduling during CONCACAF, from Goff

*Soehn, on the congested schedule: "I wish we might have had an easier schedule than we had, and the same holds true for Houston. We didn't have a bye week during this time, and a bye week goes a long way when you have to address things."

Edit: Tom Soehn to be on Fox Football Fone-In tonight at 8

Edit: For those who happened to be aware that Boca Jrs would indeed be in Washington, D.C. this summer -

*DCU was approached about a friendly with Boca Juniors this summer, but could not find a date that would work for both clubs.

[NEColourULike]

Been a bit since I posted I was waiting to get my hands on cap of D.C. United vs. RSL, after all this time I think all that needs be said is -

v/Kz3Zd4NtU-s&fmt=18


And this penalty isn't so bad either (Spoiler for Barcelona/Man U first leg) ;)

v/7uRMviNXBz4&fmt=18

[NEColourULike]

D.C. United vs. Chicago tonight -

D.C. U news:

Luciano Emilio in a scoring drought, or playing hardball with the D.C. United management - from Goff

United's Second DP Is..... (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2008/05/uniteds_second_dp_is.html)

Luciano Emilio.

Sort of.

It's complicated.

According to his agent and officials with other MLS clubs who were notified about the upgrade -- and confirmed this morning on DCU's official roster -- the Brazilian striker has filled the designated player slot acquired from Colorado in the Christian Gomez trade.

Here's the deal: Emilio and United have signed an amendment to his original contract, essentially a bonus (how much, I don't know) that brings his earnings past the DP threshhold of $400,000-plus. He had been guaranteed $313,000 this year. His original contract remains intact, but at some point this year, one of three things must occur: United must sign him to a new deal, trade him or sell him abroad. Fair to say, his scoring output the next few months will determine his fate.

As you will recall, Emilio and United had been in discussions over the winter following his MVP and Golden Boot 2007 season about tearing up his original contract and negotiating a new deal. That never occurred, and many around the league have speculated Emilio's scoring drought this spring stems from his unhappiness about his contract status.

Bottom line: Emilio has a fatter contract -- reward for his performance last year and perhaps motivation this year -- and, for the time being, United cannot sign another designated player (from Argentina or elsewhere). It does not, however, prevent the club from acquiring non-DP players from abroad.

I know you have a lot of questions about the technical aspects of this exclusive report, but at the moment, that is all I know. Hopefully more information later.....


No way is it his contract, which I know he was unhappy about. The fact of the matter is this guy has never created chances for himself, he simply doesn't work well with Gallardo's more traditional role. He needs a guy like Gomez who will feed him the ball INSIDE the box. I don't think he created any of his 20 goals last season, and he was just as streaky last year as he is now. Talk about a way to screw up DP slots. You can't base your team around Emilio AND Gallardo; Emilio must go!


Don Garber responds to Tom Soehn's angry remarks post-CONCACAF exit

Insider: Have you smoothed out your relationship with Tom Soehn after he made critical comments about things you said concerning DCU's performance in the first match against Pachuca in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup semifinals?

Don Garber: "I don't know if it is a matter of smoothing them out. Tommy gave me a call [afterward] and I think he probably would have hoped those comments were not made public . My comments were very specific to what kind of things we need to do as a league to ensure that our clubs can achieve their visions, and in this case, DCU's vision of being a dominant team in this region. My comments were not at all a criticism of the club itself. Some people interpreted it that way, but that's not what my intent was. I think we need to look in the offseason as to what changes we can make, if any, to ensure teams that perform well during the season are not penalized by having more games, particularly at the early part of the season when teams are coming together and those games become important. Our goal as a league is to ensure that our teams are successful regionally."

Insider: So perhaps next spring, as the new Champions League enters the late stages, MLS teams still in contention will have a lighter league schedule?

Garber: "There is nothing we can do about Champions League when it starts this fall; it's more about next spring and what we might be able to do for '09. There is a lot of work that we need to do to figure out what those accommodations could be. We have not addressed the specifics yet. I know it is frustrating to me when our teams are not able to be successful in the early part of the year but, as we have proven in SuperLiga, we are able to be more successful at a time of the year when our teams are at full strength and they are seasoned."

So to recap, the four MLS teams (DCU, HOU, CHV, NE) participating in this summer's SuperLiga, in which MLS has a financial stake, will have a lighter league schedule. But when Champions League begins in August for Chivas USA and New England, and then continues with the group stage between Sept. 16 and Oct. 30 with six matches apiece for DCU, Houston and perhaps Chivas and New England, there will be no schedule relief. (The number of games would not be such an issue if clubs had the salary cap space to improve their senior rosters, but that's a discussion for another day.)

Yes D.C. United IS Sponsored by VW, yes the new jerseys WILL be unveiled tonight! Yes they COULD have kept the three stripes on the jersey somewhere, I have a feeling DCU may be looking for a second sponsor because the VW logo isn't taking much space.


I don't expect a pretty match tonight from D.C. United - Fred is OUT, McTavish is OUT, Luciano WON'T be returning to form tonight (or gaining any form he never had) and we WILL be giving up freekicks galore to a certain diving neckless wonder... Not to mention Chicago has just had our number for a while now.


[B]FIRE TOM SOEHN, TRADE LUCIANO EMILIO OUT OF THE COUNTRY!

[NEColourULike]

v/jgtXG1mCZdM


FIRE TOM SOEHN, TRADE LUCIANO EMILIO OUT OF THE COUNTRY!

[cartbran]

Yes D.C. United IS Sponsored by VW, yes the new jerseys WILL be unveiled tonight! Yes they COULD have kept the three stripes on the jersey somewhere, I have a feeling DCU may be looking for a second sponsor because the VW logo isn't taking much space.
First, as for the new jersey's, they should have still incorporated the stripes across the front. That is a joke.

Second, I was at that match against Chicago and it was horrible. Just horrible. Never even close to scoring one goal. Never close. Everything moved so slow in the final third that there was just nothing to do to create a goal or even get a single dangerous opportunity. And the defense, don't get me started on the defense.

[NEColourULike]

First, as for the new jersey's, they should have still incorporated the stripes across the front. That is a joke.

Second, I was at that match against Chicago and it was horrible. Just horrible. Never even close to scoring one goal. Never close. Everything moved so slow in the final third that there was just nothing to do to create a goal or even get a single dangerous opportunity. And the defense, don't get me started on the defense.

Poor planning as far as the defense, I think it was clear Wells wouldn't be able to pull it off but with improved defenders and the most intimidating DC U offense in years, it looked like his mistakes could be covered up.

What really bugs me is people look at this like all of a sudden this year we're having problems that couldn't have been predicted. Soehn was a lazy coach last year. Emilio was a streaky goal poacher last year. DC U won the supporter's shield in spite of them, thanks to the wonderful work of Gomez, Fred, and Olsen (oh yeah and you know... all those incredible saves from Perkins didn't hurt either). We've gotta cut our losses and move forward.

As for the new logo, yeah, these just look like glorified adidas track tops, but I feel bad coming down on the jerseys when everything else is in such shambles

[NEColourULike]

From the Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/23/AR2008052302759.html?nav=rss_sports/dcunited):

"It's not just Tommy's fault; it's everybody's fault," team captain Jaime Moreno said. "I know he makes the decisions, but at the end of the day, players are the ones who step on the field. That's always going to be the case for coaches because they are the big guys and they make decisions. We told him we support him and we still believe in him."

WHAT?! YOU'RE MY FUCKIN HERO JAIME; QUIT BEIN A SHITHEAD!

[cartbran]

It seems to me that Soehn is determined to get hounded out of DC in the same fashion that we got rid of Rongen.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/BrucesBelly/NegnorErif.jpg

[NEColourULike]

It seems to me that Soehn is determined to get hounded out of DC in the same fashion that we got rid of Rongen.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b68/BrucesBelly/NegnorErif.jpg

my suspicion is he's gonna be kept in through this round of matches up through New England then let go. Everything right now I think is all song and dance to keep player morale up. Massive mistake, 2 matches against TFC is the ideal time to get a new coach oriented to the team.

I still think as far as our forward situation goes there will still be problems post-Soehn. Jaime ain't gettin any younger and Emilio ain't gettin any more skilled. Axe Emilio any way you can, as far as Jaime goes this team is starved for leadership... and we've seen DCU without him... ugly ugly sight :(

[NEColourULike]

Gonzalo's initial equalizer

v/taBStMeQhM8&fmt=18

The Come Back!

v/vcoIAcEjncE&fmt=18

[NEColourULike]

D.C. Council Crafting Plan to Pay $150 Million for Soccer Stadium (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/27/AR2008052703320.html)

A coalition of D.C. Council members is drafting legislation that would authorize Mayor Adrian M. Fenty to spend $150 million in public money to subsidize construction of a soccer stadium for D.C. United in Southeast Washington, city government sources said. Under the plan being developed by Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D), Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) and Marion Barry (D-Ward 8), the 27,000-seat stadium would be included in a larger, mixed-use development at Poplar Point, a 110-acre swath of parkland along the Anacostia River. The city would finance construction bonds with excess tax revenue being collected by the District to pay for the baseball stadium. D.C. United would be responsible for paying for any costs above $150 million, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the plan is still being finalized. The legislation could be introduced at the council's next legislative meeting Tuesday, if all goes smoothly, the sources said.

I'll believe it when I see it, but once again I'm getting my hopes up!

Edit:

Quick DCU Update (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2008/05/quick_dcu_update_2.html)

*Team captain Jaime Moreno, on the new stadium prospects: "We just want a stadium, plain and simple. ... Until we see the first work being done, then we can believe it."

Added Coach Tom Soehn: "I've got so much else to worry about, I haven't even seen that [story in The Post]. Right now we've got to focus on making sure we turn things around as a team. The stadium stuff would be a blessing, but right now we have to focus on the real issue, which is winning ballgames."

Amen Jaime... go to hell Tom

[cartbran]

I'll believe it when I see it, but once again I'm getting my hopes up!
Jaime has lived in DC for a while and it shows. Development projects have a way of being proposed and nothing happens for years. For instance, the new Target in Columbia Heights was proposed in 2000. It sat there as an empty lot until 2007 when they finally began construction.

I could not agree with you more, I'll believe it when I see it. The biggest problem with the councils proposal though is that it is disingenuous. The original plan already had the city pitching in about $200m for infrastructure improvements around Poplar Point, while the team would pay for the stadium itself (which is projected to cost around $250m) and the team would have then made up for that cost through developing the rest of the site for offices, a hotel and retail. It was a done deal, just waiting approval in Congress to release the land to the city, until some developers who were big contributors to Fenty stepped in and stopped Congressional approval of the land swap and then Williams left office and these developers who are big Fenty donors convinced him to open the site up to bids, which made it uneconomic for DC United to just build their own stadium for nothing. Now they want to chip in even less money to build a stadium on the site so another developer can build around the stadium and reap the economic benefits of having all of those fans over there as an attraction. It is a bullshit deal and DC United won't take it. I have been told that they have been in discussion with the MD Stadium Authority about building a stadium on a greenfield site really close to the Greenbelt Metro.

This is just a publicity stunt by the City to make it look like they made an honest offer, when the truth is that the offer is bullshit and DC United should rightfully not take it. This way City officials will try to make it look like they were honest brokers in this and that it won't be their fault if DC United leaves the city. It's all f*cking corruption.

[NEColourULike]

crying shame I can't rep you cartbran, thank you for the dose of reality

Luciano Emilo '15

v/T61GjNzorA8

Fred '53

v/Vx_ZTFqDLSk

[NEColourULike]

as the DCU Faithful should be aware Comcast Sports Net is featuring D.C. United all week long, starting last night with D.C. United's victory at MLS Cup '96, continuing tonight with MLS Cup '97, Thursday is MLS Cup '99, the must see match of course being "The Greatest Match In MLS History" the 2004 Eastern Conference Final on Friday. All are great matches though I intend to catch them all.

TOP 5 GOALS IN D.C. UNITED HISTORY
v/XmB1QtEydoM


We really do have a great organization in DC, considering that the Krafts in New England invest ZIPPY into marketing for the Revs and as a result a championship contending side actually drew only 8,000 for their last match. Meanwhile we've got an entire week devoted to D.C. United, with full matches being shown like brochures showcasing the greatest attacking sides in the history of the league.

[NEColourULike]

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC UUUUUUUUUNIIIITEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!






LUCIANO EMILIO MAN OF THE MATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE IS A GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE IS LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


i may have been down on Luciano but until recently he has only been a goal poacher, now he;s a fucking thrweat, he sets up goals and scores them too!!!!!!! LUCIANO BABY ALL DAY ALL NIGHT IM SORRY I EVER DOUBTED YOU, YOU ARE FUCKIN GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bearded Kyle]

How's that for fandom turnaround?

[TheLionLyon]

How's that for fandom turnaround?

:D :D :D

[NEColourULike]

How's that for fandom turnaround?

:D :D :D

Turnaround? I have no idea what you're talking about, buddy.... ;)

[Bearded Kyle]

No worries. It's our right as fans to be fickle as f*ck. I myself have been guilty many times.

[NEColourULike]

Still trying to get footage from this one, this match was a great one and there are rumblings that the D.C./Chicago rivalry has gotten more intense than the D.C./NY rivalry (that I never cared about). 3 players sent off , and an awesome goal to win the game in stoppage. Scored 2 goals without El Muneco and with Jaime Moreno as Attacking Mid.

[sof2xlc]

Still trying to get footage from this one, this match was a great one and there are rumblings that the D.C./Chicago rivalry has gotten more intense than the D.C./NY rivalry (that I never cared about). 3 players sent off , and an awesome goal to win the game in stoppage. Scored 2 goals without El Muneco and with Jaime Moreno as Attacking Mid.

maybe. but the ref was giving cards like santa give us away presents on xmas day

[dsp87260]

Still trying to get footage from this one, this match was a great one and there are rumblings that the D.C./Chicago rivalry has gotten more intense than the D.C./NY rivalry (that I never cared about). 3 players sent off , and an awesome goal to win the game in stoppage. Scored 2 goals without El Muneco and with Jaime Moreno as Attacking Mid.

The game is up over at HPI (in case you aren't already downloading it...)

[NEColourULike]

yeah thanks to HPI's ~YiS~ for these caps (I always make sure to properly credit these caps when I upload them to youtube)


Jaime Moreno '62
v/SZuZgdBcJdE

Luciano Emilio '90 (Inj.)
v/_ssinbTaL2I

And thats how the good guys triumphed in Chicago

To hear D.C. United radio announcer Tony Limarzi lose his shit at Emilio's goal (like every other D.C. United supporter watching) click HERE (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2008/06/tony_limarzi_seems_to_be_excit.html)

[NEColourULike]

Says it all, the King is back:

http://www.behindthebadge.com/061408_Emilio_sick.jpg

D.C. United 4 - 1 Red Bull New York

Luciano Emilio Hat Trick

[NEColourULike]

Credit to HPI's elconejito for the cap

Luciano Emilio 23'
v/C48N6bdF9MU

Clyde Simms 26'
v/r292bFLbzzQ

Luciano Emilio 46'+
v/tkT133JlZ38

Luciano Emilio 59'
v/KetmjoENl8s

[Bearded Kyle]

Was there ever any talk about Emilio moving over the off season?

It was only a matter of time until DC started getting the ball rolling. They'd be running roughshod if they were in the pos West.

[NEColourULike]

Was there ever any talk about Emilio moving over the off season?

It was only a matter of time until DC started getting the ball rolling. They'd be running roughshod if they were in the pos West.

Nah, he became MLS MVP and won the Golden Boot so he was looking solid especially when it was looking like Seba Veron was close to being bought in it seemed like a dream scenario. We already knew he was streaky last year though, he didn't score during the first few matches and then went on a tear, and then faltered around the play-offs. The promising sign is he's finally creating his own chances instead of relying on service into the box, so he's now a threat.

I think any East team though would run roughshod in the West, we've run roughshod in the East many times and we're getting ready to take back over :)

[BiG_MaNC]

Still trying to get footage from this one, this match was a great one and there are rumblings that the D.C./Chicago rivalry has gotten more intense than the D.C./NY rivalry (that I never cared about).

You may be onto something there, back in the day I think we played 4 games with each other and then there was that crazy playoff format of 3 games and who gets the most points. Maybe its due to all the new players each year the NY-DC rivalry has died down a lot, back in the late 90s it was fairly intense. Were you a fan back then? I would find it a bit hard to believe if you didnt get into that rivalry back during that time.

Fire v DC has been pretty fun to watch, plus the fact the atmosphere is pretty good with all the Mexican fans cheering for Blanco and the home fans booing him. I think it needs one more playoff series to really kick off something big between the two.

[NEColourULike]

You may be onto something there, back in the day I think we played 4 games with each other and then there was that crazy playoff format of 3 games and who gets the most points. Maybe its due to all the new players each year the NY-DC rivalry has died down a lot, back in the late 90s it was fairly intense. Were you a fan back then? I would find it a bit hard to believe if you didnt get into that rivalry back during that time.

Fire v DC has been pretty fun to watch, plus the fact the atmosphere is pretty good with all the Mexican fans cheering for Blanco and the home fans booing him. I think it needs one more playoff series to really kick off something big between the two.

Back then no I was like most, heard about DCU and ra ra ra, but I wasn't dyed in the wool yet. A regretful decision after watching the first 3 MLS Cup wins on CSN a week or two ago. This DC/NY rivalry has thus passed me over, and I've never seen much to make me feel like I missed out on much (though I'm sure I have).

[cartbran]

Back then no I was like most, heard about DCU and ra ra ra, but I wasn't dyed in the wool yet. A regretful decision after watching the first 3 MLS Cup wins on CSN a week or two ago. This DC/NY rivalry has thus passed me over, and I've never seen much to make me feel like I missed out on much (though I'm sure I have).

In the MLS early years, the DC-NY rivalry was great because there was always a lot of travelling supporters at both matches. But then NY became totally uncompetitive so it didn't matter anymore. Then we became uncompetitive too, so then it picked up again for a couple seasons because we both sucked. But then we got our pride back and NY/NJ Metrostars became Redbull NY and who they continued to suck so who really cares anymore.

Chicago was an obvious alternative because they are the only other team to share the same level of pride with their supporters that DC has.

[BiG_MaNC]

I dont know about the traveling fan part since I didnt really have the time and resources to take away trips up and down I95 until a few years back but I do know the reason why I have a strong hatred for DCU is due to the games back in the days. They werent the best of qualities but they had it all, controversial calls, hard fouls, dramatic goals, and just fierce competitiveness. As I mentioned before the core for both teams usually stayed together, there was always an anticipation of whether Gio can beat Pope & Agoos and if Petke can stop Lassiter and Etcheverry. Throw in some playoff series, incidents that drew blood, bottle rockets thats where a crazy rivalry is born.

To me personally it was pretty much downhill when the Petke for Pope and Moreno trade was made, plus the hiring of so many ex-DC players as backroom staff in NY has made me fairly pissed, but hey we are dealing with limited resources in MLS. And the last two years brought an amazing amount of personnel changes for both teams, I cant really say the players even know much about this derby. SJ v LA has long overtaken this as the main MLS derby.

[dsp87260]

... SJ v LA has long overtaken this as the main MLS derby.

I wouldn't say that....it'll be at least another year or so before San Jose gets good enough again for that to be the biggest/fiercest....right now I'd say it's the "Superclassico" (LA vs Chivas USA)....maybe Houston vs Dallas ("the Texas Shoot-out") comes close.

[cartbran]

I wouldn't say that....it'll be at least another year or so before San Jose gets good enough again for that to be the biggest/fiercest....right now I'd say it's the "Superclassico" (LA vs Chivas USA)....maybe Houston vs Dallas ("the Texas Shoot-out") comes close.

It's probably Houston-Dallas, Galaxy fans are too plastic to make Galaxy-Chivas a good rivalry.

BTW - we had a good win today. We're on a roll, long may it continue.

[dsp87260]

It's probably Houston-Dallas, Galaxy fans are too plastic to make Galaxy-Chivas a good rivalry.

BTW - we had a good win today. We're on a roll, long may it continue.

I don't know...I think you're being a bit unfair....especially since the Galaxy have been the league leaders in attendance just about every single year of the league's existence ("just about" because there were 2 years they came in 2nd IIRC...every other year they've been first)...

regardless, I was thinking at least as much about the players (maybe more than?) as the fans.

[NEColourULike]

LA's fans though always look like they have somewhere better to be


sorry i uploaded these a day or so ago but didnt get them over here, as always credit to HPI, in particular elconejito... I feel dirty plugging another site here (though the content doesn't really overlap) but all vids are properly credited at their youtube homes

Clyde Simms 50'
v/p13Ufqh5M-4

Gonzalo Martinez 55'
v/xOQO89ZWcW0

Luciano Emilio 88'
v/MHLzFmlOFus

Heres to hoping Gallardo can make the same strides forward as Luciano has. In Gallardo's case we know it's not about going forward really, he has all the talent and ability, he's just gotta get on the same page as everyone else. Lets hope we see something better against the Gals on Sunday

[Bearded Kyle]

Just judging from those goals DC seems very depended on one v. one play to get their final chances. Lots of good possession and build up but all of the good movement seems to stop once their near the 16'

Again, based entirely on those highlights.

[NEColourULike]

While enjoying the Euro final, lets not forget DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE CEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE UNITED!!!!!!!!!!!

New Columbia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D.C._Statehood)'s contribution to the world of soccer continues to do it. But despite all 4 goals the greatest moment was seeing Ben Olsen take the field. Talk about emotional, my fear is he's gonna get hurt soon and we're gonna find out his season is entirely over, but still it was great to see him take the field, and now this team TRULY feels like the powerhouse we expected in the preseason.

Just judging from those goals DC seems very depended on one v. one play to get their final chances. Lots of good possession and build up but all of the good movement seems to stop once their near the 16'

Again, based entirely on those highlights.

You're entirely right of hour season in general, we aren't marching directly into the box like we used to, but i feel good about that purely because this team continues to improve on a weekly basis. The great thing about this season is the individuals don't improve by simply living up to the standards we expected during pre-season, but by going above and beyond. Whether its Emilio creating his own chances, Simms becoming such a threat in the offense, this teams continues to improve and improve. VAMOS UNITED!!!!

3 more points, now 2nd in the east, and we're on our way to first, and returning to contention for the supporters' shield. We're now as pof this season the first team ever to win the SS 2 years in a row; CAN WE BE THE FIRST TO WIN IT 3 IN A ROW? PERHAPS!

Edit: We're the team who does all the firsts in this league.... so of course we can

[cartbran]

3 more points, now 2nd in the east

Well, it is great to be excited because it was a massive win, we absolutely humiliated them. But we are now in 3rd, behind New England and Columbus.

[NEColourULike]

Well, it is great to be excited because it was a massive win, we absolutely humiliated them. But we are now in 3rd, behind New England and Columbus.

it is great to be excited and I knew I was totally jumping on the "don't care about how many games played" band wagon, but this is a great come back and it may blow up as far as the SS goes biut im sure we'll make the play offs but number 5 may be on its way

[LilleOSC]

Why are your club colors red and black?

[cartbran]

Why are your club colors red and black?

Why not? We are actually black and white with red as an accent color.

[LilleOSC]

Well because people don't see where the red and black come from and some say it looks too much like the Nazi standesbeamte:
http://www.mencanstoprape.org/usr_img/DC%20United%20color%20Logo.jpg

http://www.usmbooks.com/images/STANDESBEAMTE/Stan1.jpg

[NEColourULike]

Well because people don't see where the red and black come from and some say it looks too much like the Nazi standesbeamte:
http://www.mencanstoprape.org/usr_img/DC%20United%20color%20Logo.jpg

http://www.usmbooks.com/images/STANDESBEAMTE/Stan1.jpg

or a reference to the city's alternate flag http://bp3.blogger.com/_Tnian1ZYw1o/R7JFfZMisiI/AAAAAAAABY4/0ZDaP8a0uug/s320/DC_Flag.jpg

as washington dc's flag is red and white but the residents are mostly black ;)

nice try though

[sof2xlc]

Well because people don't see where the red and black come from and some say it looks too much like the Nazi standesbeamte:
http://www.mencanstoprape.org/usr_img/DC%20United%20color%20Logo.jpg

http://www.usmbooks.com/images/STANDESBEAMTE/Stan1.jpg

freakin eurosnob. all you guys ever think about is racism and hate

[LilleOSC]

or a reference to the city's alternate flag http://bp3.blogger.com/_Tnian1ZYw1o/R7JFfZMisiI/AAAAAAAABY4/0ZDaP8a0uug/s320/DC_Flag.jpg

as washington dc's flag is red and white but the residents are mostly black ;)


Oh so that's why. Sorry if my post offended you. One of my friends found it odd that there was such a strong resemblance. I thought it was a weird coincidence at first, too, since the U.S.'s colors are red, white, and blue not red, and black like Nazi Germany. Thanks for clearing that up.

[NEColourULike]

Oh so that's why. Sorry if my post offended you. One of my friends found it odd that there was such a strong resemblance. I thought it was a weird coincidence at first, too, since the U.S.'s colors are red, white, and blue not red, and black like Nazi Germany. Thanks for clearing that up.

tbh red and black were just in colors during the mid 90s, think mid 90s Air Jordans, and plenty of other things. Those are also the colors of the Chicago Bulls. That's all I can think of, red and black were just stylish colors at that time period. The flag thing was just something I threw out there, but red and white are way over used in this sport as it is

[BiG_MaNC]

freakin eurosnob. all you guys ever think about is racism and hate

No, hes no eurosnob, dc scum are the nazis, everyone in mls knows thats true... they claim to be black and red but in reality they have always been all black or black and white... hell no one in the us would even know it was similar to the nazis when half of our youth cant even point out where Iraq...

Anyways... anyone coming down to the swamp for the big game this Sunday?

[NEColourULike]

No, hes no eurosnob, dc scum are the nazis, everyone in mls knows thats true... they claim to be black and red but in reality they have always been all black or black and white... hell no one in the us would even know it was similar to the nazis when half of our youth cant even point out where Iraq...

Anyways... anyone coming down to the swamp for the big game this Sunday?

Stick it up your ass and ride it back down to Richmond (or wherever it is on the other side of the Potomac you reside)

Be honest BiG_MaNC, if you had your choice you'd have been born a Washingtonian so you could be all D.C. United with pride :p:D

[BiG_MaNC]

hahah hell no, if I had a choice I'd still support the Metros/RB. True believers stick with their team especially when they lose.

Sos Cagon Washington (aka team of ny rejects: wells, vide, quaranta)

[NEColourULike]

hahah hell no, if I had a choice I'd still support the Metros/RB. True believers stick with their team especially when they lose.

Sos Cagon Washington (aka team of ny rejects: wells, vide, quaranta)

lol I thought of this thread earlier today and smiled knowing that FINALLY you'd make a reply after the coast was clear, shows the true measure of you metrotards :D

[cartbran]

MLS has got some trash talk going. I love it. It's been a long time since DC has even considered NY our rivals. I think the last time you guys were truly our rivals you were "New York/New Jersey" (bwahahahahaha) and that moran Ray Hudson was destroying our team.

[NEColourULike]

MLS has got some trash talk going. I love it. It's been a long time since DC has even considered NY our rivals. I think the last time you guys were truly our rivals you were "New York/New Jersey" (bwahahahahaha) and that moran Ray Hudson was destroying our team.

I think we know the NEColourULike drill by now - any opportunity to disparage my fellow man is an opportunity that must be taken!

Anyway NY is already old news, we're about to take our second Open Cup, and while we'll be bashing the OC like a red-headed step child if no other hardware comes our way this season, it's good to have now :)

[NEColourULike]

2008 Open Cup Winners anyone? time to update the trophy case on the front page...

[Lego]

(bump)

Last night, defending champs United defeated New York 5-3 at home in a 2009 US Open Cup play-in match, where they will advance to the Round of 16. They will be joined by the winner of the other play-in match between Seattle and Colorado set to be played on May 26 in Tukwila, WA. Thus, finalizing the 8 MLS slots qualified for Open Cup, looking like this:

- Chicago
- Chivas USA
- Columbus
- Houston
- Kansas City
- NE Revolution
- DC United
* Seattle Sounders FC or Colorado Rapids

[NEColourULike]

(bump)

Last night, defending champs United defeated New York 5-3 at home in a 2009 US Open Cup play-in match, where they will advance to the Round of 16. They will be joined by the winner of the other play-in match between Seattle and Colorado set to be played on May 26 in Tukwila, WA. Thus, finalizing the 8 MLS slots qualified for Open Cup, looking like this:

- Chicago
- Chivas USA
- Columbus
- Houston
- Kansas City
- NE Revolution
- DC United
* Seattle Sounders FC or Colorado Rapids

Exactly why the Open Cup is a joke - you win the thing and then you have to fight for entry into the tourney? While the winner of any other cups are automatically awarded a berth?

[Lego]

Each league have different procedures to trim down their teams for qualification. Technically all MLS US-based clubs participate in Open Cup qualification. The first six did their job by finishing high in the previous regular season while everyone else must work their way to fill the remaining two spots. I agree they need to change the format somehow to accommodate the winner by giving automatic berth but it is also inexcusable for a team like DC to not win anything in the league therefore should fight for a qualification spot.

[cartbran]

Surprised that not one USL team is involved at this stage. I guess MLS expansion has thinned the ranks.

[Lego]

Surprised that not one USL team is involved at this stage. I guess MLS expansion has thinned the ranks.
There's no denying 2 of USL largest markets and potentially another in Montreal is hurting them but I'm not too worried about the state of that league. They got 2 expansion clubs in New York and Tampa ready to play in 2010. Interesting enough they just have the right amount of teams for the USOC so each received automatic berths. MLS have yet to meet a USL club in the Round of 16

http://www.fbtz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130861

[NEColourULike]

Each league have different procedures to trim down their teams for qualification. Technically all MLS US-based clubs participate in Open Cup qualification. The first six did their job by finishing high in the previous regular season while everyone else must work their way to fill the remaining two spots. I agree they need to change the format somehow to accommodate the winner by giving automatic berth but it is also inexcusable for a team like DC to not win anything in the league therefore should fight for a qualification spot.

In the case of a team like DC United yes it's a shame, but winning the cup in my book is a grand enough achievement to warrant automatic berth into the tourney

[rymert19]

In the case of a team like DC United yes it's a shame, but winning the cup in my book is a grand enough achievement to warrant automatic berth into the tourney

+1, agreed.

EDIT: I found a pre-sale for tickets to DC United vs. Real Madrid @ FedEx field on August 9th, let me know if any of you are interested.