Game 9 - DC United 4:2 New York Red Bulls

Now that was a soccer game right from the 2004 and early 2006 archives. See the specifics below, but the overall impression was that DC saw NY as a quality opponent and brought the 'A' game from the start. And let's just say I was thrilled with Benny's performance. I have faithfully worn my #14 jersey for years and have never been prouder to do so than today. Hats off to my favorite player.

The Good:

• Excellent flow on offense. Moreno, Gomez and Fred serviced Emilio and Olsen (!) on numerous occasions, resulting in four goals. There were at least three others which required highlight reel saves from their goalie.
  
• Multiple points of attack resulted in pressure from the edges on crosses and diagonal runs, pressure up the middle on nice builds through possession passing, and long balls due to NY pressing for goals late in the game.
  
• Erpen had an excellent game, especially after Boswell was sent off.

The Bad:

• I hate doing this, but it has to be said: Brian Hall, the match official, was tremendously one sided in his calls. Boswell was sent off for two normal fouls which were nothing to look twice at and the second yellow was abysmal. There were 10 calls he didn't call on NY which were five times as physical and what you would call professional fouls. I usually like Hall's games. This was really bad.
  
• Giving up the quick goal was unfortunate and when paired with the goal they gave up after saving the penalty a few games ago, leads me to think that they need to keep their concentration immediately after big events during the game.
  

Grades:

Forwards (Emilio and Moreno) A-

Luciano and Jamie were excellent creating from the chances created by the midfielders and Jamie was great when United was reduced to ten men by keeping possession and finding the open man. Emilio tallied the second goal to end his drought and was dangerous with his back to the goal, almost scoring another on a nice pivot shot in the box.

Midfielders (Fred, Gomez, Olsen, Carroll the Elder) A

Olsen was the clear MVP with three goals. He made the most of his chances and had his most productive game in years. He seems to be much more comfortable on the wing now that he's had a few games playing there exclusively. If he and Fred can get on the same page in play interchangeably, it will make things very difficult on the opposition. Fred set up a beautiful goal and had just been robbed of another when Gomez floated his over the crossbar. Carroll was steady in a very quiet match from him other than two or three attempts on goal from distance.

Defense (Boswell, Erpen, Namoff, Gros, and Perkins) B+

Boswell was absolutely jobbed on his two cards, however Erpen raised his game after Bobby left. It bodes well for next week when Bobby will be unavailable. Gros made a beautiful cross that Olsen threw his head onto for the first goal. Just a wonderful ball. Gros and Namoff played well on the outside and Perkins was in command of the box. The first goal was off a deflection and he was not at fault. Honestly I didn't see the second goal as I was still celebrating Benny's hat trick.

Subs (Moose, McTavish, Burch) B

Moose played very well as the only sub to get more than 5 minutes. He ran well and kept the ball out of NY hands when they were desperate for goals.

Overheard in Section M-32:

After watching Brian Hall give more fouls to United, more cards to United, and then sending Boswell off, we were sure that the next logical step in the progression was a penalty to NY when they were down 2-1. Luckily United kept possession for long stretches and there was no contact in the box to give Hall a chance to screw that up too.