DC United Prepares, Errs, and Adapts to Lose to FC Dallas 4-3

Every soccer match features preparation, errors, and adaptation.  DC United’s 4-3 loss to FC Dallas was an excellent illustration.  Let’s begin with the first Dallas Score.  DC United set up its defense of Sebastian Lletget’s corner kick in a line 6 yards from goal, basically a zone.  They left Nkosi Tafari unmarked just beyond the far post and 12 yards from the goal.  Goal for Dallas who had clearly prepared.

Shortly later, Mateusz Klich crossed his arms over his head just before taking a free kick, clearly signally for a set play, not unlike what Dallas had just performed.  Asked about set pieces, Coach Troy Lesesne described both sides, “Yeah, the attacking set pieces, you know, like on the flip side of the defensive set pieces where we give up a couple of goals tonight, we’ve been excellent all year.  Zach Prince does a lot of work with the guys, and we create opportunities.  You know, we scored the first goal off a really well-designed set piece.”

The poor execution of zonal marking was the first error exploited by Dallas, the second was a less effective midfield which allowed late runners to score Dallas’ go-ahead goal and two more before the half.  Lesesne adapted, “They just had more numbers in the middle of the field than us, so we weren’t getting enough pressure on the first line.  We needed to adjust a little bit to have an extra number in the middle of the field because they were playing through us.”

A major component of that adjustment was the insertion of three experienced players at the half to shore up the midfield and provide fresh legs as Boris Enow’s red card left United a man shy.  Lesesne pointed out, “The three guys that came on made a difference.”

The difference was enough to allow United to outscore Dallas 1-0 in the second half.  Goalie Alex Bono, allowing that his teammates worked hard, felt, “It’s just a consolation that doesn’t result in points, then you know there’s not enough.  We can’t keep patting ourselves on the back for putting in hard efforts.”

The team sits in a tie at the bottom of the table with eight games to go, three at home.  Lesesne was pleased with the crowd support.  The coach averred, “I thought this was the best atmosphere we had all season long and I give tremendous amounts of credit to our supporters for not only turning out in numbers, but in voice and pushing us on throughout.”

Bono held out some hope for the remainder of the season, “It’s time to go back to the drawing board.  We got eight left and there’s still all to play for. – – – It’s obviously upsetting, but in no way is this throw in the towel time. It’s time to get back to work and double down.”

Lesesne agreed, “I told the group I give them a ton of credit for the way that they fought and made it interesting, but eight matches left with still everything to play for and we don’t have this type of room for these types of errors.”

United has considerable depth in midfield which may be bolstered by the possible return of Russell Canouse who has been training with the team.  Jackson Hopkins sat out this game with an ankle knock.  If Lesesne is able to prepare and adapt in the final eight matches, United has a slight, but diminishing, chance to make the playoffs.  Hoping for fewer errors, they play at Toronto Saturday.