DC United Comes Back Against Strong Nashville 2-2

Coming off the long break, DC United gave signs that they will be effective in their hunt for a playoff slot. While other MLS teams continue to bring on name signings, United opted for less famous players Nathan Ordaz and Andre Dozzel. While neither has made a big splash yet, they add competent depth to a squad which now appears well disciplined and confident.

The tie against Houston and win over Toronto showed that the team would hold up well against pressure. The comeback against lead-leading Nashville confirmed that coach Rene Weiler has instilled enough confidence to allow halftime adjustments to achieve buy in from players able to compete against a strong team.

After the game, Weiler and his players repeated the same theme, balance. Weiler pointed out, “So try to attack a little bit more. Try to play maybe a little bit higher, but at the same time be careful because we don’t like to get the third or the fourth goal, and that is maybe the big step we did from the last season to this season.”

He believed that the first half was more closely played than the 2-0 score, noting that, “It’s obvious they (Nashville) don’t need a lot of goal scoring chances. They had three attempts and two goals, and I told the players at halftime, don’t lose your mind now.” That shows reasonable containment.

Kai Rowles described how the balanced approach worked after halftime adjustment, “Once we tightened that up and really started getting aggressive on them and stepping out and you know making them play backwards, I think that’s where the game turned in our favor a bit.” That allowed for better rhythm and turned the tide.

For the last 20 minutes it seemed as if United might go on to win when Joao Peglow hit the upright, barely missing a winner. Rowles noted, “The way it panned out, we were pushing for the winner still, which I’m happy about. You know, we weren’t resting back once we equalized, and at the same time, we were trying to neutralize their counter attacks as much as possible.” Balance with bit of spice.

Recent acquisition, Ordaz came on following Sylvan Hefti’s chaos induced goal and the three forward attack with Louis Munteanu and Tai Baribo kept United on the front foot until the game’s end.

Weiler has established a substitution pattern near minute 65 of replacing two midfielders, especially the effective Jackson Hopkins whose contract was just extended. Matti Peltola, who shows maturity and calm midfield control often comes in for him after Hopkins has worn down opponents with his aggression. The tactic provides stability in critical late moments and could be reversed if one wishes to park the bus and go aggressive late in the game. As used against Nashville, the move to a third forward provided the aggression while Peltola maintained midfield control.

This post World Cup restart shows how Weiler hopes to move forward as he comes to know his players better while adjusting to opponents’ strengths. The observant Rowles believes , “I think it speaks volumes for the character of this group that we’re building, and obviously we’ve still got a long way to go.”

DC will host their USL partner, Loudoun United on Wednesday, a probable showcase for United’s youngsters and some future graduates from Loudoun.

They play at Montreal on the 15^th, looking to improve on their tenuous playoff ninth place.