Saturday night’s game played out as might be expected in result but not in how the 1-1 tie came about. The contest was between a blue-collar DC United lacking its top creative players and an experienced group of retreads playing for Nashville. Ironically, the goals came from skillful play by the blue-collar DC homegrowns and luck for the Nashville retreads.
DC united relied on a five-back defense led by international Victor Palsson who assumed the commanding role normally performed by Captain Steve Birnbaum in the five-back system which has served United well since Coach Wayne Rooney instituted it a month ago. It stifles opponents’ creativity though midfield by often pushing the restraint line close to midfield frequently resulting in low scoring games.
Describing the five-back system, DC Coach Wayne Rooney said, “It suits the players we have. It’s a difficult system to play against if you get it right – – – the small changes we make (sometimes 5-4-1) depend on the opposition. I thought tonight we got it spot on.”
Nashville countered the interruption of its flow with skill and composure befitting its players’ experience. Well into the second half, the game had all the hallmarks of a 0-0 tie or a 1-0 lucky win for either side. Sure enough, Nashville cashed in a random-bounce goal in the 73rd minute.
In the 23rd minute, DC designated player, Taxi Fountas, had gone down with an injury and was replaced by recent signing, Erik Hurtado. While Hurtado is an experienced striker, he was a small replacement for Fountas and the dangerous Cristian Benteke who may return from injury for Wednesday’s game at Philadelphia. United had lost its best scoring threat.
The attacking combination failed to generate enough offense and so Rooney responded to the Nashville goal by putting in two young homegrown strikers and the newly acquired attacker, Cristian Dajome. Kristian Fletcher proceeded to beat a couple of defenders in the 83rd minute to feed Ted Ku-Dipietro who tapped in the tying goal.
Building up to the goal, Fletcher felt that as he got the ball, “We’re gonna score here, whether I shot it or whether I passed it, I decided to pass it and Ku finished it very calmly in the bottom corner of the net.” About Ku’s run, he noted that, “I just knew he was there. I saw him early on busting his tail to get into the box so I knew if I made the defender jump to my left, that it’d be open.” In turn, DiPietro said, “I honestly didn’t even call for the ball. I knew Fletcher would find me in the end.”
That understanding is what was needed and had perhaps been lacking with the unassimilated veterans Hurtado and Dajome. DC United now has great depth at striker as the new additions should develop a similar comfort with each other’s styles.
The young homegrowns were jubilant about their contemporaries’ performance on the pitch and later in the locker room, Fletcher observed, “We always have each-others’ backs. All of us, 1,2,3,4,5, – – – 6 (adding Jacob Greene)”. He went on to admit that although one had to be selfish to compete for playing time it was, “Always good to know you have someone in your corner if you’re going through tough times.”
Since the new system, United has been competitive against a series of strong teams above them in the table. Wednesday’s game in Philadelphia should give some insight into how well the team may fare as the season progresses.
