DC United ekes out a 1-0 win with grit and style

By Steve Long – In terms of style, the new DC United is almost a carbon copy of the successful 2014 United. Chris Rolfe pointed out that the use of overlapping defenders remains a key element in the Olsen philosophy. While Chris Korb is less of a crossing threat than Taylor Kemp, his runs were, in Rolfe’s words, “Something that opened up in the game for us. Very similar to last year.”

It seemed obvious from the beginning of the game against the Montreal Impact that Olsen was bent on continuing to exploit width. Davy Arnaud said, “Yeah, it was part of our emphasis. We wanted to get our outside backs involved…..I think we missed Korbie a couple of times, because he was ‘on’ a lot. We found him a decent number of times and he got off some good crosses.”

Arnaud’s comments reflect that Montreal scouted United well, giving Korb room they felt he would not exploit well. For some time, the tactic worked, but it broke down as Korb showed some improvement from last year in his crossing and Rolfe occasionally rotated into the space Korb was offered before driving the attack from the left flank himself.

A feature of the Olsen style, which emphasizes internal rotations, is the flexibility it offers for players to create from varying angles. Opposing defenders are left less certain of their own roles, but the need for close focus and understanding applies to United’s defensive midfielders and defenders as well. As the wide midfielders sally forth, defensive midfielders Perry Kitchen and Arnaud must cover quickly and surely.

Olsen is fortunate to have the tandem of Kitchen and Arnaud who observed, “For me , that was one of the best performances, the best first halves, we’ve had since I’ve been here…..The way that we moved the ball and how sharp we were in possession, especially in the first half, was very good.”

Both teams played with some confidence and flair as if they were already into mid-season, but both also fought a battle of the unfinishers. Chris Pontius commented on his own misses, “On a day when I’m more clinical, I put some of those away.” He spent the winter rehabbing and building strength and claims that, “It went well” and he is, “Ready to go” physically, but not yet technically.

Although Olsen has lost Eddie Johnson for an indefinite period and Fabian Espindola for five more games, he managed to acquire excellent covering depth with Jairo Arrieta, acquired from Columbus, and young draftee Miguel Aguilar. Together with Rolfe, they provide creative energy that can only increase when Luis Silva recovers and Espindola returns.

Also due off the injured list in the next few weeks is Markus Halsti, whose training appearances show that he should team well with either Arnaud or Kitchen. On defense, the central pair of Bobby Boswell and Steve Birnbaum looked much improved over their performance against Alajuela.

Birnbaum has rapidly slid back into form following absence for the National Team and recovery from a slight knee injury picked up while there. Boswell’s involvement with the CBA negotiations, which ended successfully just before game time, may have influenced his focus against Alajuela, but he clearly was well focused against the Impact.

Late in the game, the Impact’s Justin Mapp, who began his MLS career with United, suffered a dislocated elbow. The injury was reminiscent of Rolfe’s which cost him the last games of 2014. After a winter of rehab he responded to a question of whether he could knock opponents around by observing that, “I never could”, but noted that he can still bounce off them well. His ability to “ride the tackle” seemed fully in play during the opener and he appears ready to resume where he left off.

While the rest of MLS, especially the new squads, have loaded up on big names, DC United has relied on Olsen’s keen eye for value in retreads and draftees. So far, it seems to be working for him.