New lineup no problem for United in victory over Fire

Normally when a team puts out eighteen different lineups in nineteen matches they are already booking their vacation plans for November. Consistency is a key ingredient for success for any football team and more often than not teams that struggle with injuries struggle to get points. But D.C. United in 2015 is proving to be the exception to the rule. On Wednesday night United had yet another new lineup and had yet another victory this time a 1-0 win against the Chicago Fire.

With five matches in fifteen days United coach Ben Olsen once again brought out a very different lineup than what supporters are used to. Using a 4-5-1 formation Olsen brought in the likes of defender Luke Mishu, midfielders Miguel Aguilar and Facundo Coria, and forward Conor Doyle as a midfielder. Only goalkeeper Bill Hamid and center-backs Bobby Boswell and Steve Birnbaum could be considered regular starters with the remainder working

For a club that has not won a match in Toyota Park since 2009 it seemed like an odd lineup and at first it looked like United might not get the three points. Aside side from a daring shot by Coria in the early moments of the match the passing and chemistry was a bit off. The Fire nearly capitalized on this lack of chemistry in the 30^th minute when midfielder Joevin James laid a pass into a surging Fire forward. But linesman ruled that Coya was offsides.

The Fire continued to press the United defense all throughout the first-half. In the 40^th minute Fire defender Jeff Larentowicz pierced a cross to Fire forward Kennedy Igboananike making a run on the counter-attack. The Nigerian Designated Player only had Aguilar to beat on the counter-attack after having completely fooled United’s defense. Despite making an initial poor angle at catching Igboannanike, Aguilar made up for it by catching up to him and forcing him to take a shot away from goal.

In the second half, the United attack started to come alive. Led by Aguilar and midfielder Luis Silva, the United midfield would build up their attacking chances through little small passes in tight spaces. A Silva ball into forward Jairo Arrieta in the 53^rd minute looked promising but was ultimately saved by Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

United would find the game-winning goal in the 70^th minute thanks to a rocket of a goal by Doyle. The play started off of a Free Kick by Coria that was on target but was ultimately punched out by Johnson. On the ensuing rebound Boswell would hit his shot into the Fire defense which would ultimately land right at Doyle. With a couple of inches of space the 28 year old striker would hit a high, booming shot that clip the bottom part of the cross bar and into the back of the net. The goal was Doyle’s second with United during the 2015 campaign.

With the victory and the loss by the New England Revolution, United increased their lead for the top spot in the Eastern Conference to ten points. The club will continue their road trip on Saturday night when they take on Toronto FC. The match will be at 7pm EST and on TSN and Comcast SportsNET DC.

As for the Chicago Fire Wednesday’s result is their third consecutive loss. Fire coach Frank Klopas will look to change their fortunes on Saturday when they travel to BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas to face the Dynamo. That match will be at 8pm CST on Comcast Chicago and Houston.