Win by three goals. That is the improbable, but not impossible task at hand for DC United this weekend and what they will need in order to turn their two-leg playoff matchup against the New York Red Bulls around to advance to the Easter Conference Finals. The Red Bulls enter Saturday’s second leg up 2-0 after their unrelenting attack on the DC defense in the first leg in Red Bull Arena. The attack minded Red Bulls tested the daunted United defense, which has been so good all season. Unfortunately for DC, their defense finally bent and was broken by a brilliant no look Thierry Henry pass that Bradley Wright-Phillips put into the net and the dagger to the hearts of United fans by Peguy Luyindula as he netted the team’s second goal.
DC’s task is made that much tougher when one considers the fact that United only won by a three goal margin three times this season, 4-1 at home against FC Dallas on April 26, 3-0 at home against Toronto FC on July 30, and 3-0 away at Sporting Kansas City on August 23. The team doesn’t have to necessarily win by three goals; they can win the game 2-0 in order to send the game into a mini 30 minute game in extra time. This scenario makes the game more manageable and the team had three 2-0 wins this season, four if you count a CONCACAF Champions League group match. Based off these numbers, DC United pulled off the feat they currently face, six times in a 34 game regular season (25% of their games).
The wild card factor in this game is the newly instilled away goal rule in the playoffs. DC can only force extra time if they win 2-0. Once the Red Bulls score a goal, any chance for extra time flies out the window and DC will be forced to outscore NY by three goals. For this reason, there is a good chance that Mike Petke will not ease up on his tactics from the first leg’s game plan and may look to get that coveted away goal early to deflate the crowd and team. Depending on how Ben Olsen decides to play it, if DC comes out desperate early to try and score a goal, it may leave their defense vulnerable to the NY counter and attacking style of play.
This is why there are three players who will be key for DC United against the Red Bulls on Saturday.
- Fabian Espindola – The former Red Bull was stymied by his old team after scoring 11 goals and 9 assists during the regular season. It has been argued that he plays better with Luis Silva as his frontline mate, rather than with Eddie Johnson, however Espindola scored 7 of his 11 goals while Johnson was on the field playing the frontline with him versus only scoring one goal while Silva was on the field with him. He will also have to find a way of getting around the suddenly rock solid Jamison Olave in the middle of the Red Bull defense if he’s going to get DC on the board.
- Sean Franklin – DC’s fullback is arguably one of the best right backs in the league, when he’s healthy. Unfortunately, Franklin was relegated to off the bench duty in the first leg as he worked his way back from a hamstring injury. Coach Ben Olsen has indicated that Franklin will be ready to start in the second leg, whether he is ready to play at the pace fans are used to seeing him play is another question, especially with a daunting task of getting back on defense to limit Thierry Henry on the DC side of the field. Franklin scored one goal and four assists in his first year with United, however those stats don’t tell the whole story about his ability to help kick start the offense with runs out of the back line. His ability to help start counters and get back to defend will be key in DC’s attempt to escape this round.
- Chris Pontius – the veteran midfielder and the team’s longest tenured player returned from hamstring surgery late in the year. He missed 28 games this season and made his return on September 10th against these very same Red Bulls. The attacking midfielder’s return was the equivalent of acquiring, late in the season, a potential goal scoring threat. He played in support of Eddie Johnson in the first leg, although found himself playing more defense in the game helping to keep the suddenly dangerous Richard Eckersley at bay. He has the ability to provide an offensive spark when the team’s more traditional goal scorers are struggling to do so. Pontius will need to get involved early on the offensive attack in order to keep the Red Bull midfielders playing back. He can also be a factor as the team’s primary corner kick taker.
The task may be improbable, but not impossible for DC United. If United can weather the Red Bulls offensive attack for the first 15-20 minutes of the game and find the net at least once by halftime, it will make for an interesting second half, one too close for comfort in the Red Bulls eyes. On the flip side, a Red Bulls first half goal may close the book on DC’s remarkable season. In a team that has repeatedly beaten the odds this season, Ben Olsen and company hope that they have one more gutsy performance in them.
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