DC United Travels to Toronto

DC United Travels to Toronto

Mike Martin

May 21, 2008

As odd as it is to say, this matchup with Toronto FC is about as important as any match in DC United’s regular season history for this early in the season. United is in a deep dark hole and has to start climbing out soon, or the sextants are going to cover this season over.

Washington D.C., DC United is 2-6. They stink. No escaping that at this particular momement in time. They are reeling under enormous obstacles and enormous expectations. This team was supposed to waltz through MLS and even carry the banner of MLS in CONCACAF. Instead they are fumbling and flummoxed and on the verge of a total meltdown unless they can turn them selves around starting in Toronto.

Incredibly, the league doormat last season, Toronto has pulled themselves together and is riding a five game unbeaten streak including an unbeaten record at home, while DC is wallowing at the bottom of the table and has a mere one goal in four straight road losses.

As much as I like to break down matches for mismatches and probabilities, this match is that is actually way more about the heart of the teams that take the field. If DC chooses to play like they did in Colorado, this is easily our first ever loss to our Canadian neighbors by a large margin. If they choose to merely play 60 minutes like they did in the HDC against Chivas, it might be close, but smart money says it’s a loss of similar proportions.

However, if DC actually comes to play they have the talent to overcome Toronto like they have every other time the two teams have met.

DC is reeling under a three game losing streak, but they are likely to have Fred, Peralta, and McTavish back in the lineup, which could easily change their fortunes if the soccer gods are willing. Fred has owned Toronto including the lone goal that decided the match the last time the two teams met in Toronto. Peralta could easily be the paladin that controls the beast Dichio, and Martinez the warrior that fends off the wily Cunningham.

However, that just keeps the game tight. DC has to find the offensive prowess they have lost of late if they are to truly find their way back out of the dark hole they are in. In the first match between these two sides, DC scored twice in six minutes and put the game away. Well, Toronto is undefeated at home going 2-0-2, and has only given up one goal in their house. DC is 0-4 on the road having only scored one goal. Clearly something has to give.

But that one goal scored on the road last week was a cracker even though it resulted in a loss, and that has to be on Toronto’s mind. Any team that watched that tape, and for that matter the tape of his rocket against Real Salt Lake has to fear the wrath of Gallardo. The only goal he’s scored that hasn’t been up for goal of the week was the one against Toronto, and he might just want to rectify that.

But, since the last time these two sides have met, Toronto has made significant changes to their offense, adding Rohan Ricketts and Amado Guevara. However, their defense is still the same crappy players they’ve always had. As long as DC keeps it tight in the back, this game is a tie for sure.

I would imagine DC plays a 4-4-2 similar to Toronto’s system. However with Fred and Peralta back together for the first time in weeks, I think DC has a decent advantage considering the two teams are basically playing man on man at least for the first 60 minutes considering that’s all those boys back from injury or inaction are likely to take.

Offensively, even if Emilio continues to stink it up; Fred, Gallardo, Moreno, and Santino will score on their daft group of inadequate defenders if United is right in the head. DC has so many mismatches in their favor it would take a total meltdown, admittedly like they’ve had in most road games this year, to would undermine them. But, let’s face it. If those hideous problems are going to continue, then this season is over anyway and people are just reading this column for the fun of it.

Defensively, this is where the game will be won or lost for DC. Let’s face it. They have been anemic on the road to say the least, so they have to pitch a shutout to have a decent chance. Well, Peralta back alongside Martinez makes chalking up a zero that much more likely.

I like all the matchups we might face. Simms against Guevara, Namoff against Robert, and Burch against Ricketts, all of them could easily favor DC assuming the entire team decides to actually show up to play.

Bottom line. If DC decides to win this game they will. If they decide to lose, they will. If they decide to play for a tie, likely they will lose. At the end of the day, DC decides their own fate. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not.

Match Previews

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DC United Facing a Different Revolution this Week
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United is Playing with Fire
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DC United Hosts Revolution in Open Cup Semifinals
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DC United Staying on the Defensive in NY
August 09, 2008

Wizards Take on Decimated DC United
August 01, 2008

Dynamo and DC United - Take Two
July 21, 2008

Dynamo Descend on DC for a Double
July 18, 2008

DC Faces New Challenge in Atlante
July 14, 2008

DC United Hosts Chivas in Superliga
July 11, 2008

DC United Hoping to Bag the Rhinos Again
June 30, 2008

DC United Wary of Galaxy Stars
June 28, 2008

Mild Earthquakes Visit RFK
June 20, 2008

DC United Looking to Run Down the Bulls
June 13, 2008

DC United Hoping to Beat Back a Roaring Fire
June 06, 2008