Photo Credit: D.C. United
We have all been there. It is a second date and the first one had enough things go right where you thought that with smoothing over the second one would go better. But then about three minutes in one party slips something by that completely ruins the affair. That was precisely the situation on Tuesday night in Washington D.C. when D.C. United allowed an early goal to dash their CONCACAF Champions League hopes against Queretaro.
Now much like many dates not all of this experience was bad. Faced with five new starters United had moments where it appeared that they were the better side. Forward Chris Rolfe’s cross into midfielder Patrick Nyarko appeared destined for the back of the net.
Grading players so early in the season is very difficult. Yet according to the CONCACAF gods and Major League Soccer this match is for something that is equal to that of any domestic competition.
So the good news for United is that there is enough to see glimmers of what could be a promising side (in particular the partnerships of Acosta-Espindola and Nyarko-Rolfe). But the lack of converted opportunities should be something worth keeping an eye on.
GK- Andrew Dykstra- 6- Never easy to start a match letting in a goal but there was very little that he could do about it.
DEF- Taylor Kemp- 6.75- Matched the Queretaro attackers step for step and had a couple of good crosses in the second half. May be up for a breakout season in 2016.
DEF-Bobby Boswell-5.5- A simple miscommunication put this series out of reach. Afterwards had a pretty decent match with a good box out of Fierro in the 80th minute.
DEF-Steve Birnbaum- 5- Was burned badly by Queretaro for the first goal. Has to have better communication with Boswell on getting back for defense.
DEF-Sean Franklin-7- Helped lead a couple of counter-attacks but found himself under consistent pressure from Queretaro. Appeared to be finally fully healthy from his knee injury that he suffered late last season.
MID-Rob Vincent-3-Was absent for most of the match and did not contribute to any plays on the attack or on the defense. A poor effort.
MID-Marcelo Sarvas-6- An excellent late run into the box in the 36th nearly put one back for United. Still seems to be working out the chemistry with Boswell and Birnbaum. Will hopefully come later.
MID-Nick De Leon 5.5- Was all over the pitch and seemed to want to be involved in every play. However, thought too much like a left midfielder and not like a center-mid, leaving D.C. susceptible in the middle. Will need to pick his battles more wisely.
MID-Patrick Nyarko-7- A good opportunity to score late in the first half but was unable to capitalize. Seems to have rekindled his partnership with Rolfe which can only be a good thing for United.
FWD-Fabian Espindola 6.5- Had a chance to find Rolfe with a breakaway in the 30th minute and instead opted to take on two defenders. Had a one-on-one chance with Tiago Volpi in the 50th minute but could not convert.
FWD- Chris Rolfe-6.5 Made several excellent runs deep into Queretaro territory, including one in the 24th minute that helped set up a free kick. Another good pass into Nyarko as well. Had his penalty kick shot saved snuffing out any chance for a comeback.
SUBSTITUTES
Luciano Acosta- 7 His speed and pace paid immediate dividends late in the second half. Has developed a good rapport with Espindola. Will Olsen use him as a super-sub?
Markus Halsti-5- Came on in the 68th minute and made a really good header to Nyarko on the break.
Julian Buescher- 7.5- Gets an extra half of a point for an excellent first professional goal. Also had a couple of good crisp passes and seemed less nervous than in last week’s match.
