D.C. United had its opportunities to come away from Mexico with a win, but eventually fell to its Mexican opponent.
Querétaro defeated the MLS club, 2-0, in the first leg of their quarterfinals series in the CONCACAF Champions League. D.C. United showed some signs of rust playing in its first competitive game since Nov. 8, but also displayed some quality soccer.
D.C. United’s defenders were the ones that came the closest to scoring at Estadio Corregidora. In the 60th minute, Taylor Kemp drilled a shot off the crossbar, while Steven Birnbaum nearly scored twice eight minutes later. Two point-blank saves from Querétaro goalkeeper Tiago Volpi kept the scoresheet blank for the time being.
Yerson Candelo’s 71st-minute goal proved to be the game-winner, and it was an incredible strike from distance. Edgar Benitez slotted home a second for Querétaro after some poor defending from D.C. United.
The Liga MX club will take a 2-0 advantage into the second leg, which will be played on March 1 at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C.
What do you think of Tuesday’s result? How do you think D.C. United will do at home?
Share your thoughts below.
MLS continue to be a mediocre and this won’t increase MLS’ rating.
Wow. Gringos also know how to whine.
They pretty much played them even. That second goal was pretty inexcusable, though–poor positioning by the RB to allow that over the top pass. I don’t see them scoring 2 at home, but you never know.
Birnbaum is certainly a force in the box on set pieces.
DC United were the better side for about 70 minutes but then ran out of gas. Pretty unlucky to not even score one. Espindola was awful tho.
Espindola wasted many opportunities to move forward and too lazy to make runs. He was listed as a forward but positions himself too deep to be anything but a midfielder.
I don’t know why Olsen waited until the last 10 mins to bring on Saborio; shows how much confidence he has in the guy to make an impact.
DeLeon was also useless in central midfield with no impact. Nyarko has speed but nobody ever played ball into space for him to run onto, he was invisible. The blame for these tactical changes is on Olsen. Why wasn’t DeLeon and Nyarko on opposite wings???
Only bright spots were Acosta and Vincent, both of whom seem to play with a sense of urgency
and conviction.
DCU needs a young, hungry forward to will make the runs for Acosta to combine with. Everyone saw that Espindola wasn’t that guy.
I think you hit the nail on the head with that one comment; “they ran out of gas…” MLS teams CANNOT compete at a high level at this stage of the season from 60 minutes on as, try as they may, they cannot get to the fitness level needed to play a full 90 at this level. Ask Seattle, they too started folding after the 60 minute barrier and surrendered two goals to settle for a tie at home.
The MLS does not start its pre-season soon enough to develop the acceptable aerobic capacity needed for top level games against opponents who have already reached that level. Incomplete aerobic conditioning manifests itself in the degradation of coordinated movement (eye-hand. eye-foot) and even cognizant ability. The muscle memory needed for touch passing and pass accuracy is not yet present at high level either. The MS truly need another 3-4 weeks to be equally competitive with Mexican teams.
Seattle came with the best plan, score early enough and try and hold on for the win. Doing it against Club America was a tall task. DC United did well in the heat and altitude, but need to hope for some really cold weather in DC next week to turn the tables.