Tied at the bottom of MLS’s Eastern Conference on 14 points, Coach Chad Ashton amitted that, “We can’t continue to go in this circle.” That sums up the predicament, but leaves the solution unclear.
While DC United has solid depth in journeyman players, the team lacks enough impact players to comfortably challenge for a playoff position. Their only shot would be a totally coherent team with discipline that features comfort on the ball.
Ashton did note that in the previous away game and in this Saturday’s disappointment at home the team was making poor passes and controlling the ball poorly. He put it simply, “A big part of whether we are good or bad is a product of being good or not good on the ball.”
Chris Durkin, who has been with the team under three coaches from Ben Olsen, to Hernon Losada, to Ashton, understands that some chemistry is good, notably among Russell Canouse, Sofiane Djeffal, and himself. Then, he described a lot of rotations among players and changes in formation. He noted that, “We need to find the right one that fits.”
He echoed his coach, agreeing, “We know that we’re better than that as well. It’s a discussion we had after the game. It’s got to be better individually from everybody across the board – – – We know that soccer is about confidence – – – We’ve just got to get out of this rut.” He went on, “That starts in training.”
Ashton had noted that giving up an early goal changes the nature of the game, “A little mistake here, a little mistake there and you’re chasing the game.” All of this points to two changes that I believe will help DC United climb out of their rut.
Training should return to a core principle that Bruce Arena brought to the original DC United. His practices, except for rare set piece drills, always featured vision and control, at speed, under pressure. Following that conditioning of synapses and habits, he had the team warm up for games with tight keep away drills, causing the team to start the game already comfortable with the ball under pressure. That minimizes the chances of giving up early goals.
Durkin discussed the pressure game that he says is, “Still in our DNA”. In describing the pressure game that opponents will also use, he pointed out that, “We need to keep the ball more so that we are actively defending with the ball.” This harkens back to another Arena doctrine that emphasizes containing and harassing the opponent, then controlling the ball and finally transitioning rapidly to attack only when the path is visible. All require confidence and comfort with the ball.
To one other point, Ashton commented on the development of the second Nashville goal, noting a 25-yard gap from midfield to defenders, “Which leaves a massive gap which they go into with their forwards who are super dangerous.” The discipline required is best summed up with the phrase, front to back, play compact, side to side, keep it wide.
Ashton did comment on the pressures brought about by yielding an early goal. As the feeling of the need to score increases, the tendency is to go after the ball which doesn’t need to be chased instead of, staying “compact, stay patient – – – be better in terms of decision making.”
He showed good humility in stating that, “I’ve got to look at myself, I’ve got to look at our tactics. We’ve got to try and change something.”
If he chooses to train and warm up under pressure, we might see the first hint of success during warmups for the next few games.
