There aren't many nights when a visiting team feels disappointed with a 2-2 draw at Gillette Stadium. But for a team like D.C. United, who outplayed the New England Revolution for most of the night and held a two-goal lead after 53 minutes, the draw any of them would have taken prior to the game rang a bit hollow.
"We have to come out stronger in the second half," United midfielder Clyde Simms said. "We were too comfortable with the lead. The first 15 minutes of the second half are important."
Luciano Emilio's 15th-minute goal was United's only goal in the first half, but the visitors dominated much of the possession and created chance after chance only to find Revs 'keeper Matt Reis in inspired form.
"We kept them around," United head coach Tom Soehn said. "If you finish those chances, you get that separation and it's not as hairy, especially on the road."
Despite the onslaught, United entered the break only with a slender one-goal lead.
"If we went 2-0 or 3-0 into the half, I think it would have been a different game," Simms said.
Fred's second-half goal gave United a two-goal lead shortly into the second half, but New England stormed back and equalized through goals by Adam Cristman and Kheli Dube to turn a likely three points into a draw.
Soehn said he wasn't sure why his team switched off in the second half.
"I have to watch the tape," Soehn said. "We're protecting a two-goal lead and they're pressing everything they can to get it back. It's more of a situation where no matter what you get, when you're up two goals, you have a defensive mentality in there. They're throwing everything they can to get a goal."
But even with the manner of the draw, there is much for the team to draw on, Simms said.
Marcelo Gallardo influenced the play more frequently and Emilio scored his second goal in as many games. The midfield held the ball better and the defense looked firm for most of the contest.
For a United team that has struggled up to this point, the performance is just another step on the road to recovery.
"It's getting better for us," Simms said. "These are the three best games we've played this season, starting in Toronto."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
