DC United Stumbles Against Strong Columbus Crew 2-1

DC United continued to frustrate its fans with a 2-1 loss to a strong Columbus Crew.  The overall play was balanced and aggressive by both sides, a sign that United has the potential to compete with MLS’ better sides.  Still, there remains the lack of finishing that must be resolved.

Coach Troy Lesesne began with the one positive on the night, “I thought it was one of our best performances to get to the final third this year, and really just a complete performance – – – I was really happy with how we brought the ball into their half – – – We tested them really early with some direct balls in behind.”

He went on to note his emphasis on balance and taking what the game offered, “I like the blend of being able to do that and then also be able to play underneath and connect between the lines. And we’ve been, I’ve been saying this since the beginning of the year, we’ve been working really hard to have that blend.”

DC Captain Christian Benteke gave his view, supporting the insight about finishing, “Make some better decisions, because I feel like a few times we break them, we get to some good spot, but then the last pass we take the wrong decision.  And this is something that we have to change, because we know regardless, as I told you, I think last week or the week before, regardless against who we play, we gonna always create chances.  This is for sure.  But then we have to finish.”

Benteke’s reference to his earlier observation about failure to finish shows a continued need for the young players on the team to form a stronger understanding of the interplay among them.  Lesesne is attempting to mold an unusually young group into a coherent attacking force.

Looking at the starters on the night, four midfielders/attackers are under 23 and super sub-Jacob Murrell is only 21.  The team must rely on more than Benteke to finish what their energy creates.  The captain occasionally took charge of the development of the attack by starting play deeper in an apparent attempt to add a different dimension to the game.  His frustration was evident.

Still, he likes the potential he sees in the youngsters, citing two in particular, “I think this is a great addition.  Peglow brings us different aspects in our game.  And as I told you, the focus is not just on me.  Then they have to try to stop him, to stop Gabby (Pirani), to stop Jared (Stroud), and this is for the benefit of the team, but we saw again tonight, he works really hard.”

The ”old man” at age 28, Stroud echoed the theme, “You always want to connect with those (chances created) and help change the game, and it’s frustrating to lose at home.”  He acknowledged that for his own team, “It’s a good performance but at the end it’s about results.”

Seeking a fresh dynamic, the coach made a double switch at the 70^th minute, bringing Murrell and experienced Boris Enow for youthful Hosei Kijima and experienced Stroud, a stylistically coherent move.  He hoped for some magic from Murrell, “Like I told Jacob, immediately after the game, I’m going to continue to put him in those situations to be able to deliver for us, because he’s done it before, and he’ll do it again. And sometimes when you get in that moment, you know, just you misplace the pass, or you don’t – – – create a decisive moment. And we’re going to keep putting the guys in that position during training, and hopefully we can score some more goals.”

Looking forward to Saturdays upcoming game, “I expect San Jose to challenge us in some different ways, so I want to make sure that we make the opponent feel uncomfortable – – -as we did tonight with more final third product. This is the thing that we have to work on to improve.”  The coach’s task has been clear but results have yet to appear.