Game 11 - DC United 1:2 Real Salt Lake

It took me a while to muster up the motivation to recap this disastrous game. DC came in looking as good as they have in 10 months. Seven game unbeaten streak, 7 goals in their last two games, and only missing one player from the starting eleven. RSL is the dregs of MLS, can't score, can't defend, can't win. Ninety minutes later, you'd have been forgiven if you thought the teams switched uniforms before kickoff.

The Good:

• Nolly wasn't as bad as I thought he would be. I have to say, I am not happy with the decision to give him the start. Starting every game shouldn't be a problem for a goalie with no injury issues. This isn't hockey.
• Kpene, Emilio, and Fred make something out of nothing to end the shutout. Not a pretty goal, but at least it went in.

The Bad:

• Boswell made huge errors, one of which lead to the breakaway goal. And I can't stand this constant raising of the hand to indicate offsides every time a defender gets beaten. What ever happened to a player putting his head down and getting back in the play?
• Dyachenko, Forward. Can we end this experiment now? Maybe a year or two from now, he may be a great target forward. But now, today, this minute, his goal last week not withstanding, he isn't an MLS quality forward. Kpene and Moose are definitely more effective.

Grades:

Forwards (Dyachenko and Emilio) C

Emilio is the unsung hero of this team. He is constantly tracking back to midfield when it is necessary. But he never shirks he responsibilities up front. I am thrilled to have him on the team and look forward to years of him in a DC United uniform. Dyachenko, ugh.

Midfielders (Fred, Gomez, Carroll the Elder, and Olsen) B-

Fred looked good again, but not much else from this group.

Defense (Erpen, Namoff, Gros, McTavish, and Perkins) C-

We're back to the all or nothing defense. When they keep their man in front and play with their legs rather than try to either make the spectacular play or mess up the offside trap, they are very successful.

Subs (Addlery, Simms, and Kpene) C+

I remember nothing of note from Addlery and Simms. Kpene should have started and his clever flick into the box with his back turned led to the lone DC goal.