Do Two Wins Point to a DC United Turnaround?

Plagued by the usual injury bug, DC United coach Troy Lesesne has had to juggle his roster, especially on defense.  With notable 5-0 and 4-1 losses the exception, his versatile players have managed to keep their losses to frequent 1 goal failures to see out close games.  Things may be about to change.

The coach described the 2-1 win against Nashville last Saturday, “I think everyone knows the last couple months haven’t been what we wanted.  There’s been some good performances in there, but we didn’t see three points and you know the way that things looked at the end of the first half, it was another really good first half.”

In these last two games, United managed to hold a lead against Nashville and then strike late to defeat Minnesota.  This reversal of form may spring from a recent discussion among the players.

After the Nashville game, Captain Christian Benteke pointed out, “We had a long chat yesterday in the dressing room between players, between us telling us that we need to change things and we knew that Nashville was a great game for us.  They were in kind of a similar position than we were struggling and today was all about the sequel.”

With the Nashville win behind, he noted, “Obviously, when you win, the most important is not to lose after it because otherwise the three points is become for no reason and I think now we have to go there (Minnesota) with the same mentality, to go and try to get those three points and keep the momentum.”

After the Nashville game the coach agreed, “I felt like we were better in the first half and like I said earlier, I just told the group that’s a very good first half and if we if we replicate that then we’re going to see three points tonight.”  In the event Cristian Dajome provided a stunning long strike and a fortunate sweet finish to give DC the lead which they saw out via a solid effort from a jury-rigged defense.

Lesesne echoed Benteke’s point about the need to win again, “So we have to regroup in terms of the physical and mental capacity just to be ready to go and travel to Minnesota.  But clearly, we want to use this as momentum, and it’s been a while since we had it.  Win like this and we’d like to keep that feeling going.”

Absence of so many defenders has forced Lesesne to juggle his roster, “Predicated on who we have available, you know you’re seeing different guys playing different positions.  Aaron Herrera is playing right center back tonight.  It was mentioned earlier that Matti Peltola was playing left center back.  I mean, these aren’t their natural positions.  Christian Dajome is not a right wing back.”

A further adjustment was placing Ted Ku DiPietro, normally a wide midfielder, into a central box to box midfield role usually played by Peltola who had been spelled in that fatiguing position by youngster Jackson Hopkins who returned from injury in the Minnesota game.  In his opinion, “I think 8 is probably my best position as a midfielder, but you know I like to come inside more and more.  I think it helps with the system we play.  I think the one with an extra number in the midfield sometimes that helps us with second balls, and you know when we play through the middle it opens up crosses into Christian (Benteke).”

Using players outside their normal roles develops their vision and understanding of a game that requires a flexible response to teams who vary their tactics based on scouting opponents.  Lesesne may benefit further as reinforcements like Hopkins arrive.  David Schnegg will soon clear paperwork to add experience to a defense that just saw the retirement of long-time captain Steven Birnbaum.

With Hopkins’ return and fresh defenders freeing up Peltola, Mateusz Klich, and Ku will provide four players in the busy 8 position.  If the depth can be maintained, we can expect a very aggressive approach to wear opponents down in midfield.

The team entertains Celtic in a friendly tonight which should give some of the youngsters a chance to prove themselves before the team reenters MLS regular season against FC Dallas at Audi field on 24 August.  In that month long MLS gap to accommodate the Olympics, DC will play Atlanta away and Santos Laguna of Mexico at home in the Leagues Cup.