Game 19 - DC United 2:0 Columbus Crew

I said United needed at least five points out of the twelve available in the four road games coming up in the next few weeks. United did an excellent job of getting the first goal, keeping possession, and finally scoring the second goal to seal the game. DC's talent advantage was apparent all game and overwhelming in the second half. Fred had possibly his best game in the Black and Red. Gomez looked better than he has in a month. The defense pitched another shutout, held the Crew without a shot on goal in the first forty-five minutes, and Burch was dominant on the left side. With Boswell and Olsen getting a rare healthy scratch, this bodes well for the many games coming up in the next few weeks.

The Good:

• A second goal to go up 2-0. First in New England and now in Columbus, maybe United is figuring out this road thing.
• Emilio notches another with a heady play on our old friend Ezra.
• Fred scores from distance after Gomez hits the post. It seems like a rare play to have a ball go off the post and still score in the run of play. Fred's shot was absolutely crushed.
• Simms returns to the starting lineup, this better not change.

The Bad:

• Vanney still looks a bit shaky, but not a bad game from him.
• A weak offensive effort in the first half.
• Gros suffers another concussion. He may have to sit for a while.

Grades

Forwards (Emilio and Moreno) A-

Emilio scores his 14th goal and Moreno plays 86 minutes. Luciano did lots of running to seal the game.

Midfielders (Gomez, Fred, Simms, and Gros) A-

Best game from this group in a while. Excellent possession in the second half. Gomez hits the post and Fred cleans it up. Fred then slots a great pass that Emilio put 5-hole for the second goal. Simms played a great game. The lone dark spot was Gros leaving early.

Defenders (Burch, Namoff, McTavish, Vanney and Perkins) A

Another shutout, another 'A'. Spectacular game from this group. Controlled the air, intercepted crosses before they got to the middle, and Perkins was decisive and agressive.

Substitutes (Mediate, Carroll, and Dyachenko) B

Mediate did very well subbing in for Gros in the 9th minute. Carroll and Dyachenko didn't make an impression in limited minutes.