DC United Coach Wayne Rooney has made repeated moves to break into even the middle of the MLS table with no success. Beginning when he arrived in 2022, he brought in quality players in dribs and drabs only to see them fail to connect. Saturday’s game at Audi Field showed a promising lineup and a disappointing result.
Rooney responded to an opening question about penalty kick choices by VAR by questioning two calls which left him bemused. Whatever effect of the decisions, the game was clearly dominated by a superior Columbus Crew which earned the 2-0 win on their merits.
At their very first goal kick, United abandoned their previous preference to build from the back. All ten field players flooded the left half of midfield awaiting a long kick by keeper Tyler Miller. The pattern was often repeated. A possible explanation may be found in the strength of Christian Benteke as a target man.
Two weeks before, against the New England Revolution, United’s primary outlet was the long ball to Benteke who often controlled it to feed teammates. The Rev’s coach, Bruce Arena, opened his press conference that time by calling Benteke, “a handful”. The second choice by United in that game was to look to the right wing where Ruan was often open to begin an attack down the side.
To accommodate that, Rooney had Chris Durkin playing as right back, a demonstration of flexibility in that position later to be seen against Columbus. Asked why the speedy Ruan did not start against the Crew, Rooney averred, “I thought having Victor Palsson (at right back) was more of a defensive move.” He based this on the Crew’s tendency to overload one side.
Palsson was often found near the central defenders in the middle and final third of the field as he allowed the Crew’s Will Sands massive space in what seemed an obvious enticement for Columbus to switch play to their left wing. Palsson’s experience and skill might thus be trusted to control Sands when the overlapping defender got the ball. It seemed to work.
In turn, DC’s left side was controlled by a larger number of players which served to protect the less experienced Jacob Greene. With that help, the youngster continued his solid play for a third game and Columbus’ excellent passing game was stifled by those numbers.
Despite DC United’s hard work, they rarely found their targets, neither teammates nor the goal. On the other side, Columbus was a lesson in precise passing and movement in support. They are clearly well drilled and familiar with each other.
United’s lack of cohesion is attributable somewhat to the frequency of change in both personnel and strategy. The newest addition to the roster, Lewis O’Brien was thrown into the lineup only days after arriving from England. He noted, “I landed Wednesday night and got thrown straight into the mix. That probably didn’t help.” Asked how long he expects it to be before he is comfortable with his teammates, he indicated, “I think next week. It took me 20 minutes maybe to feel out my team.”
On the bright side for Rooney is the fact that the team has not been blown away even by the stronger sides it has faced. The primary lack has been scoring. The return of Taxi Fountas in a libero role has brought a few more chances than previously and perhaps the advent of Lewis will add still more.
United continues to be the gang that couldn’t shoot straight, but the base has been laid for a dynamic attack which is sorely in need of polishing. Perhaps they will gel at bottom dweller Montreal this coming Saturday.
DC United
Columbus Crew
