D.C. United's seven-game unbeaten streak disappeared into Utah's thin air last weekend, as the Black-and-Red took winless Real Salt Lake lightly and paid the price.
D.C.'s early lack of intensity led to a poor performance in all areas, highlighted by big gaps in the back line and an inability to build sustained possession on the artificial surface at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
"I think it started with us not being focused enough," said midfielder Brian Carroll. "You can draw any conclusions you want about altitude (or the) field. They really don't matter. Both teams play in there, other teams have gone in there and got results in those environments. So it was just disappointing, not starting well, and it just led to breakdowns in other parts of the field."
Now United are set to host Real's Rocky Mountain rivals from Colorado in an MLS Primetime Thursday matchup that offers the home side a chance to clear the bitter taste of that trip and avenge their season-opening 2-1 loss to the Rapids. With three of United's most trusted starters - Bobby Boswell, Jaime Moreno and Ben Olsen - absent due to Copa America duty, this match will offer a telling glimpse of United's ability to replace their guidance as well as their play.
"Obviously we're missing our key leaders on the field," said striker Luciano Emilio. "So it's an opportunity for myself, Fred and Christian to step up, because we're more experienced players, even though we haven't been here a long time. It's a good challenge for us."
Devon McTavish is expected to step into Boswell's center back role, having already done so when the 2006 MLS Defender of the Year was suspended two weeks ago. The situation represents a prime opportunity for the Winchester, Va., native to re-assert his credentials as a starter, and he admits that he was almost as excited as Boswell himself about his callup to the U.S. national team.
"I was happy for him, I will say that," said a grinning McTavish on Tuesday. "It's good for Bobby and it's good for me, too. It's just a good situation all around."
McTavish hopes to "just keep it simple, don't try anything special, and eliminate mistakes" in his return to the starting lineup, but communication and coordination with defensive partner Facundo Erpen will be crucial to prevent the kind of seams that RSL's Robbie Findley exploited to such great effect last Saturday.
There's more competition for the midfield and striker spots - as well as the captain's responsibilities - vacated by Olsen and Moreno. Winger Justin Moose has made several promising appearances off the bench in recent weeks, though the more experienced Clyde Simms might have an edge on the right midfield position.
Up top, Rod Dyachenko has started alongside Emilio in United's last two matches, but an ineffective performance in Utah saw him replaced by Guy-Roland Kpene before halftime.
Each offers a contrasting set of skills and coach Tom Soehn's selection may hinge on whether he prefers to attack the veteran Rapids back line with size or speed - though he says he places the greatest emphasis on their performance in practice.
"There's several gauges," said Soehn. "You look at who you're going to play, and most importantly you look at how we're training and who's doing well. And we've always rewarded the guys who do well. So that's probably the biggest priority."
After last week's listless display, United are keen to restore the passion that helped them dig out of the 0-3 slump set off by their First Kick defeat in Colorado back in April. With their internationals set to miss several upcoming matches, consistency and work rate will be vital as the side looks to keep pace in a tightly contested Eastern Conference.
"I think a big thing for us is if we come out with a good mentality and really fight to win - do the dirty work - the possession and the skill and all that stuff takes over," said Carroll. "We don't do that, our possession goes out the window and there goes our main strategy. So I think the skill and the passing comes a lot easier when we fight, we scrap and we work for each other."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
