For all their domestic excellence over the past three years, D.C. United have craved a meaningful achievement at the international level -- only to find progress elude them through a variety of maddening circumstances.
United will be reaching for redemption on Tuesday night, as the squad returns to the scene of their long season's most demanding match, and most disappointing setback: Guadalajara's Estadio Jalisco, where their CONCACAF Champions' Cup campaign ended in heartbreak on April 3.
Needing a victory to advance to the continental final, D.C. got off to a flying start as Jaime Moreno connected with a spectacular bicycle kick in the first half. But Chivas escaped with a 2-1 result, and 3-2 aggregate triumph, thanks to a few ill-timed defensive miscues, with the game-winner coming from a tragic goalkeeping error by Troy Perkins.
"There were bad memories because we didn't go through, but I think we know now what that's like and we don't want to go through that again," said Moreno. "We had a couple mistakes and that was it ... you can't make mistakes because you get punished in that kind of competition."
Having gutted out a nailbiting 2-1 win against Chivas de Guadalajara in their Copa Sudamericana first-leg match at RFK Stadium last week, D.C. are better positioned than on that springtime trip, when a win was needed to advance. But this time the stakes have been raised to a new level: Chivas are more desperate than ever, having fired head coach Jose Manuel de la Torre and announced free admission for Tuesday's match to ensure a lively crowd.
"We've got to expect an incredibly hostile environment, all the way from the time we get off the airplane until it's time to leave," said Perkins. "We just have to prepare to do our jobs and be men about it, and be extremely professional about what we're doing, and know that it's not going to be fun or fair."
Changing bosses in midseason can introduce uncertainty and disruption to the locker room, but United are not allowing themselves any such thoughts.
"It won't, it won't," said Moreno. "They are a strong team, they have a lot of character and they know what we're playing for. So we don't have to rely on that. We're just going to go there and know that it's going to be a tough game."
After his own team's league win on Saturday evening, D.C. coach Tom Soehn pointed to Chivas' positive Primera Division result on the same night, when they came back from a goal down to defeat Veracruz 3-1.
"You never like adversity when you play a team," he said. "Guys respond in different ways. They tend to play for their jobs. So it'll be difficult, regardless of the coaching change. We know the situation -- we played there and it's going to be tough."
Due to left back Marc Burch's red card in the first leg, United must make at least one change to the starting 11, with Greg Vanney or Josh Gros most likely to deputize in the role. Bryan Namoff should be ready to shake off a thigh contusion sustained in the first leg, but Soehn might have to do without midfielder Fred, who strained his groin on Saturday.
"Someone's going to have to step up. Fred's such an unbelievable player," said Devon McTavish. "But we have players who can step up in his place. Maybe a little different style of play, but there's people that can get the job done."
If he's not used on the back line, Gros would be the likely replacement on the left wing. But in any case, the Brazilian's skill and creativity would be sorely missed given D.C.'s difficulties in maintaining possession against Chivas last week, even when at full strength.
Despite the aggregate scoreline, going into a defensive shell is hardly a wise option, either. The Black-and-Red know the danger of riding their luck like they did in Wednesday's second half, when they endured constant pressure from the Mexican side only to be let off by poor finishing.
"You can't do that, because they'll pick you apart," said Perkins. "They can win 1-0 and advance, so we've got to keep a tight ship and keep moving and play our game."
An aggressive, adventurous team by nature, Chivas will be throwing everything they have at Perkins and his defense and the 2006 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year is keenly aware that he'll need to carry his team at one point or another. He says that he was the "happiest person in the world" when the Copa Sudamericana draw gave him another chance to perform at Estadio Jalisco.
"It's a good time to exorcise some demons and really prove myself in that environment again," he said. "It's a chance to right the wrong and to exact a little bit of revenge."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
