Comments on: DC United Graciously Accepts Wizards Gift of Three Points

By: Dang Skippy

Dang Skippy — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:44:46 +0000

I would be surprised. I don’t disagree with anything you’ve said, except that its MLS and any team could go streaky at anytime and in-so-far as that is true, it applies to DC United. But I guess I was thinking, wasn’t DC in a worse position last year for qualifying, statistically-wise? I can’t back that up with number because I don’t feel like doing the research. But I had better hopes last year and I think it was precisely because DCU went through that hot streak mid-summer and beat a bunch of teams, including but not limited to the 4-1 bashing of LA. Granted LA is a better team this year. But there were games where DC looked good, really good and I thought they could go streaking to the finish. This year. . . the offense is null and the finishing could be described as almost negative.
Of course, another valid theory could be that the absence of goals in the run-of-play reinforces the idea that DCU is squeaking by on luck. I was just thinking out-loud or rather, online.

By: Mike Martin

Mike Martin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:28:21 +0000

I like the Jaime Trecker idea! There was such a good response for the preview written by Christopher Sullivan, I think we should do a lot more guest columns. Imagine Ramblin’ Ray or Christian Miles writing an article. Well, maybe not Miles. That would be shambolic.

As for you Skippy, you have a point, but DC just is not a very good team. It’s tough to defend their performances. It’s true, MLS in general is simply not all that impressive as their not being able to distance themselves from United atests, but you can at least some teams have the basic components to go on a decent run. Even sketchy teams in the past that got hot and won the Cup like DC 2004 for example clicked at the end and really played well for a long stretch. I can’t see that from this team. Can you?

By: Dang Skippy

Dang Skippy — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:04:42 +0000

I’d say the tone of the post is pretty spot-on. Its a little weird though; DC mathematically has a fair shot at first place in the East. Hell, DC actually has a reasonable shot at the Supporter’s Shield. Granted, they would need some help considering the games in-hand the other teams have, but it COULD be done. Four games at home and the last away against KC, who seem about as potent as my grandfather on blood-thinners. So why the negative tone of the article (and I am right there with you)?*
I’m guessing, but I think it has to do with the lack of dominating wins. To be where they are, one would expect DC to have thrashed some of the lower teams. . . say, the Red Bulls. But that simply hasn’t happened. Any game that DC has dominated, they’ve found a way to tie or lose or at least made it closer than it should have been. Any game they’ve looked balanced, they’ve lost or tied. Sure, DC has “ground out” a number of ties and wins in games they should have lost. But we as fans don’t walk away from these games thinking, “Man, we are unstoppable. I can’t to beat the hell out of Seattle this weekend.”

*I don’t intend this pop-mass-psychology post to gloss over the deficiencies of the team. I’m just saying, our attitudes do not reflect the standing of the team.

By: julius

julius — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:28:50 +0000

When did UnitedMania ask Jaime Trecker to write the match recaps?

By: Mike Martin

Mike Martin — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:54:36 +0000

No, No, No! I won’t have that! I defy anyone to craft such sarcasm under the influence of ten beers! I merely had nine and struggled.

As for you RKE, yeah, we’ve gotten some points stolen no question, but at least those teams worked reasonably hard to get into positons to steal those points. DC luckboxed into this win, and I daresay luckboxed into the four points they got from their previous two games.

Clearly, MLS wants DC in the playoffs no matter what it takes. It’s a shame KC tried so hard to be uncooperative.

However, all that said, I am a bit remorseful as this column might perhaps be a bit over the top. The team stinks, but perhaps they actually did try their best to win.

That make you happy?