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DC United Fails to Coordinate and Loses 7-1 to Chicago

Just as Coach Troy Lesesne’s mixture of youthful exuberance and experienced vision seemed to gel, Saturdays’ result showed how essential the total mix is. With three of the needed organizers away on international duty and steady hand, Christian Benteke, still out injured, the lack of necessary maturity resulted in the embarrassing 7-1 loss.

Offered the possible excuse of dealing with a depleted squad, Lesesne stated that both teams have that problem at the moment and blamed himself for the result, “I take full responsibility for the result tonight. It’s not good enough from me.” He is correct, as Chicago had five players out injured.

Several things stood out as United, with 57% of the possession, yielded goal after goal. Lesesne’s philosophy of aggressive challenging was met with a highly organized Chicago defense and attack. At any time, a snapshot of Fire player positioning would show constant movement to offer their teammates options while limiting United’s.

As the game wore on, DC’s youngsters pressed even harder. Lesesne acknowledged the effort, “I think everyone’s putting everything that they have into it, but it’s got to be more than that.” The team remained determined to compete, never losing focus, but constantly frustrated by the Fire’s composure.

Chicago played a varied style, sometimes pressing and sometimes setting a deeper restraint, but always balanced. That strategy required United to use a patient approach with flashes of insightful attack. All too often, a clever run would go unrewarded. In two instances only minutes apart, Hosei Kijima made excellent darting diagonal runs toward space with no pass forthcoming from his teammates. Throughout the game he was in constant motion, winning all his dribbles in his usual energetic way.

As good passing opportunities were wasted, turnovers increased and Chicago was well positioned to act quickly to exploit a poorly coordinated defense. A possible reason for the lack of effective linking of the players is the fact that the coach has moved players’ playing positions attempting to find the best combinations, with a resulting lack of feel for teammates’ movement. The coach acknowledged that it is his responsibility to build the coordination required.

There were a few positives, prominent among them the entrance in the 66^th minute of the latest homegrown, Gavin Turner. Acknowledging unhappiness in the result, the 18-year-old was still, “Really grateful to make my first appearance for my parents’ and my boyhood club, the team I’ve been for my whole life, and eight years in the academy.” His play seemed as comfortable as possible given the circumstances as only one more Chicago goal followed his appearance.

United’s only goal came when the experienced Dominque Badji came on in the 57^th minute and scored three minutes later. That proved to be the only brief joyful moment of the night. Another good moment was the observation of Turner who wisely opted, “Just try be a goldfish, focusing on the next part to help us end up delivering in the big games.”

That renewed focus on the future, fueled by wise dissecting of the video of Saturday’s game, needs to result in major improvement when the team goes to Salt Lake City on Saturday.