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SBI MLS Team of the Week: D.C. United

DCBeatsHouston (ISIPhotosArgueta)

Photo by Jose L. Argueta/ISIPhotos.com

They may have started the season slowly, but D.C. United is hitting on all cylinders right now and have the seven-match unbeaten streak to prove it.

Just a week after thrashing the New York Red Bulls, D.C. United served notice that they plan to be Sporting Kansas City's biggest competition in the East after their 3-2 victory against the Houston Dynamo on Saturday. United's convincing victory pushed the team to 4-0-3 in their past seven matches and helped earn them SBI MLS Team of the Week honors.

D.C. United edged out Real Salt Lake, the Colorado Rapids and Montreal Impact for this week's honors. They did so by putting up three goals on a normally stingy Houston defense that had allowed just five goals in their previous seven matches.

Riding the red-hot form of Maicon Santos and Chris Pontius, as well as the impressive early-season form of rookie Nick DeLeon along with the ever-present quality of Dwayne DeRosario, D.C. United posted their first two-game winning streak since 2009 and have the look of a team ready to snap the club's three-year playoff drought.

What did you think of D.C. United's performance against Houston? Who would have gotten your vote for MLS Team of the Week?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. The second half was insane largely because we lost our best offseason pickup, Dudar to injury. That combined with two other CBs on the injury list and we were left with a makeshift back line that was easy fodder for your two “big boys” up top.

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  2. Historically, over several seasons, Houston has had a pretty stout defense. I think you could call it convincing that we put three in on them. You can call DeRo’s goal lucky, but I’d also say that DC did generate more threatening chances than Houston throughout the match. DeRo’s counterattack around 78′ made Houston look downright silly.

    When you’re coming back from the dead as DC United have been the past few years, and you get on a bit of a run — a victory like this goes a long way to validating the perception that you’re “back”. I think that’s why its a big win.

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  3. Yeah, and both were at fault for Houston’s goals. Russel for ball watching and Perry for a bad give away in our defensive third.

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  4. And somehow he got Danny Cruz to contribute in the offensive third rather than just running as hard as he can down the sideline and losing the ball.

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  5. “Convincing victory” may be a bit much, unless the writer means that he’s convinced DC is a serious contender this year.

    The 3-2 victory in itself wasn’t necessarily “convincing” as DCU allowed the lead to slip away twice at home. While DCU was much sharper than Houston, they didn’t dominate possession or create substantially more chances. I’d also mention De Ro’s lucky goal, but Bruin’s 2nd was equally lucky IMO.

    Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to the rematch at BBVA Compass Stadium.

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  6. Wow, No love for the Quakes. I thought they would be be a lock this week considering they played with three none starters and basically scored 3 against a defense that haden’t allowed a goal in over 350 min. I look forward to the QUakes DC game Wednesday should be a good one!

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  7. As a Houston fan, I agree.

    I wouldn’t say he had an amazing game… he had a strong start but disappeared for most of the game, but he definitely looked like he belonged in the game.

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  8. Good catch…my main thought was that our D showed a few cracks once Perry was moved away from sweeper, which was done out of necessity with so many of our backs injured. Having Perry play the 3/4 role definitely makes life a whole lot easier on our back 4. With San Jose’s offense clicking, this next game is not one where we want to have to kludge together a lineup. That said, if we can put 3 in the back of the net against Houston, we might just be able to have a fun little shootout with the Quakes.

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  9. Unbelievable, especially with teo uninjured DPs riding pine, and Najar subbing! If Dudar can ever stay healthy we should be great. With jakovich, white, and the versatility of kitchen and russel we have cover, but when three centerbacks- jakovich, white, and dudar are injured it just isn’t good enough. yet we are still winning!

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  10. I didn’t get to watch modt of the game, but watching what I saw and lots of highlights I thought perry played right back and russel moved to central defense. On one of the dynamo goals harkes is complaining about center backs ball watching and during the replay it shows russel losing his mark ball watching and woolRd trying to cover for him.

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  11. About time D.C. got a mention on SBI after Saturday’s game!

    (SBI-Sometimes the best-laid plans go awry. That said, we’re looking for a D.C. United writer so anybody interested can feel free to reach out.)

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  12. Vamos United! That said, I am a little concerned about defensive depth at this point, mainly because Kitchen should be a sweeper, which he is great at, and not a CB, where he is OK at, and all the injuries forced him into the CB role against Houston. Houston seemed to get a lot more opportunities once Dudar went out and Benny was forced to move Perry back to CB. Hopefully we find a way to get this right for San Jose on Wednesday.

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  13. I’m not, Benny is the man! People were skeptical coming into this season as to whether or not he’d keep his job. He has put together one of the more deep teams in the MLS and made some great personnel decisions so far. Both DPs and Najar are coming off the BENCH and the players love him…. the season is young but hopefully more good things to come!

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  14. VAMOS UNITED!

    The past two years were heartbreaking. This season is proving to be the remedy. I have to admit, I am a little surprised at what Ben Olsen has done/is doing.

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  15. We looked good during the win. I was definitely pleased with the resilience we showed. Unfortunately Dudar was lost for a few matches so hopefully we will be able to cope with that and continue playing well. If we could get some defensive reinforcements in the summer window this team could be scary come playoff time.

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