by TRAVIS CLARK
In a competition that is becoming somewhat of a nightmare for D.C. United, they couldn't get their 2009 CONCACAF Champions League campaign off to a good start. Two late goals from Jerry Palacios and Marios Berrios were the difference as United's poor road record continued this year. They've managed one win away from home all season — a 3-2 victory of New York back on April 26 — and last night proved to be no different.
United scrapped the 3-5-2 in favor of what appeared to be a 4-5-1 — new acquisitions David Habarugira and Julius James made up half of the back four. Habarugira, a Burundi international was on his debut for the club, while James was making just his second appearance after coming in as a substitute against Toronto.
The club didn't miss a beat with the new formation, and actually performed admirably for most of the first half — impressive considering how they played on Saturday. They knocked the ball around well, and were quick to stifle a potent Marathon attack.
It would take gaffe of epic proportions in the first half to open the scoring. A dangerous Marathon cross was met by defender Greg Janicki, but he whiffed his clearance attempt to allow the easiest goal Walter Martinez will ever score.
D.C. didn't let it drag down their confidence — Andrew Jacobson tested Marathon's keeper Juan Obelar from long range on more than one occasion, forcing a save or two. He showed a willingness to shoot that sometimes other players lacked. Heading into halftime down one goal was a bit of a drag when you consider the team had put in an improved effort.
The tenacious performance did lead to a bloody equalizer in the second half. Julius James knocked down a corner kick that Luciano Emilio headed in — though on his follow through his head slammed into a Marathon defender, resulting in a bloody gash that needed immediate treatment.
With the score equalized, a draw seemed within reach, a great start to the competition was possible if the result stayed the same. United came close to a go ahead goal when Devon McTavish forced a save from Obelar with a diving header. Then the last 10 minutes happened.
Jerry Palacios beat Janicki to a headed ball, finishing past Wicks to give Marathon the lead. An awful evening for the young central defender then worsened when he tripped a Marathon attacker in the box. Adding insult to injury, the first penalty was saved by Wicks — however, the Honduran side was given a reprieve when Clyde Simms was adjudged to have encroached in the box.
Mario Berrios left no doubt on the second attempt, smashing home to earn three points. It was a drastic turn events for a club that had a result in sight.
It wouldn't be surprising to see United switch to four at the back from here on out, as they've brought in a number of defenders in recent weeks. This would ideally shore up the defense and allow their midfielders to rest.
There's no time to think about this loss, however, as their shaky league record currently means United would not be in the playoffs if the season ended today. If there's any solace in the last 15 games of a busy season, 10 of their last 15 games are at home, where they are undefeated in league and Open Cup play.
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What did you think of United's performance against Marathon? Do they have a chance to get out of their group? Leave your thoughts below.
@BP
Nice post and a lot of peoples thoughts about the game as well. That is why the 2 goal loss in the last 10 minutes still stings that much more. Lets hope they take their frustrations out on LA & Toluca!
In all honesty that was the worst performance by a professional soccer player–Janicki– that I have ever seen. EVER.
Here are the mistakes leading to our loss:
1. Soehn playing Janicki
2. Janicki playing like an MSI U-12 player.
3. Soehn not subbing Janicki out right away after the first goal. I know it’s a departure from the game plan, but as you can see this is what a coach needs to do after a play like that.
4. Janicki’s bad positioning on goal 2.
5. Janicki’s stupid tackle in the box for goal 3.
With the exception of Janicki we played great! We looked very poised with possession and didnt make stupid turnovers like we did against Toronto. The new guys (except Janicki) looked very promising overall. Olsen played with smarts and Quaranta made two amazing crosses. Even Emilio played well. Overall, I’m happy and give Soehn a little credit for at least changing to the 4-4-2 to let our talent show.
@Rufus T. Firefly
DCU didn’t take the open cup seriously. It just faced a bunch of teams in which its reserve team was better than. And last night the squad they had was a decent squad. It was far the all out reserve squad it put out last year. DCU would’ve got a tie to if janicki wasn’t so bad.
DC had to sub Habarugira out, as he was visibly limping, which is why I believe Janicki didn’t get yanked. That and the fact that there wasn’t another center back on the bench. Too bad Haba…. couldn’t have had an MLS game to warm up – in terms of physicality- before playing the best and toughest team in Honduras. Lots of those Marathon guys were on the roster that just trounced Costa Rica 4-0.
The camera angle was crappy, but to me it didn’t look like any contact was made for the PK. Did it look to anyone else like the dude took a dive? or do I need a new perscription
If Janicki plays another internatinal game I know for sure DC isn’t serious.
your right Bootsy, I just look it up.. h
how stupid is this —
“Feinting to take a penalty kick to confuse opponents is permitted as part of football. However, if, in the opinion of the referee, the feinting is considered an act of unsporting behaviour, the player must be cautioned.”
WTF is an unsporting feint?
Plus throw Janicki to the toilet.
I was critical of the encroachment when it happened, but you can clearly see the Honduran push Sims into the box, and it wasn’t even subtle. Anyone that saw the encroachment would have seen the running start and push.
Typical crap anti-US CONCACAF ref. He let slide a very questionable tackle in the other box literally one minute prior which would have likely given DCU the result they deserved despite Janicki’s god awful night.
MVK wrote “and they never enforce when players completely stop on their apporach either.”
That’s because, believe it or not, it’s not a violation of the Laws of the Game to do that. It’s a common misconception that you can’t stop during a run-up; but a misconception it is. In fact, FIFA’s Interpretations of the Laws of the Game and Guidelines to Referees, and various USSF publications and notices, give such feints a pass.
I was surprised too.
“It would take gaffe of epic proportions in the first half to open the scoring. A dangerous Marathon cross was met by defender Greg Janicki, but he whiffed his clearance attempt to allow the easiest goal Walter Martinez will ever score.”
Actually, it was a completely harmless looking cross. Low, not much pace, and the defender was perfectly positioned to clear it away. It took Janicki to turn it into a “dangerous” cross.
Also, DC hasn’t won much on the road but 2 weeks ago they beat Firpo in El Salvador on penalty kicks. Technically, that’s not a win but it feels like a win and it’s as important as a win.
The worst part of the encroachment call was, on replay, you can clearly see the Marthon player pushing Simms into the area. In the end, DCU deserved the loss because of the horrible efforts by Janicki. He also provided the goal at the home leg of the Firpo match.
with the roster cut backs you cant really blame the MLS teams, hopefully the new agreements will help these situations for MLS teams
Simms was pushed into the box by a marathon player
DCU already said Champions League was lesser in priority to MLS and I would assume the Open Cup. The loss last night almost guarantees nothing but reserve players the rest of the way. Sad, because at one time this team took international competition seriously. Ever since the loss to Catolica in the Sudamericana, DCU has stunk out the joint in international play, in part, because it runs out the second string to play in those games.
I watched most of this game and I thought it was pretty even into the second half. Still, we should be dominating these clubs from “pipsqueak” countries. I don’t think there is anything more embarrasing than the Red Bulls losing to W Connection or the Revolution being humiliated by Joe Public last year. Who has ever heard of Tauro FC from Panama? As I recall, they beat an MLS team last year. I don’t think that we can expect respect for our clubs when we can’t beat these types of teams. It’s hard to be an MLS fan these days.
When did they start calling encroachment on PK’s? It happens on 75% of them, and they never enforce when players completely stop on their apporach either.
I just dont get it I guess, i just want consistancy.