KANSAS CITY - D.C. United extended their unbeaten streak to 12 matches in a 1-1 draw Friday with the Kansas City Wizards. But what didn't become clear until just after the match was what United had to overcome to lengthen their run.
"I didn't tell anybody but we had a lot of guys who have been sick. I don't know if it was something that we got in Mexico. There have been eight guys who've been sick," said United coach Tom Soehn. "We had to gut one out today."
The eight players have been suffering from gastronomic illnesses, perhaps picked up when United traveled to Guadalajara at midweek for a Copa Sudamericana match, so "gut" might be especially appropriate for the effort against the Wizards.
The important thing for United is to get healthy in time for the MLS Cup Playoffs. With the single point, United also moved just a little bit closer to sewing up the Supporters' Shield for a second consecutive season.
In addition to the sickness, United were without Fred, who is suffering from a groin strain. As well, Jaime Moreno was limited only to a late substitute appearance with an ankle injury.
"Fred is an important piece; we need to get him healthy," Soehn said. "Right now, we have to rely on other guys. And they're doing an abnormal job."
Abnormal in this case is a very good job. On Friday, Soehn moved Devon McTavish to the left side of midfield from the back line, where he's become a regular. Perhaps more importantly, Christian Gomez played as the second forward, with Luciano Emilio, instead of his usual playmaking midfield spot.
"I felt very good. I haven't played in that position in a long time since I played in Argentina," Gomez said through an interpreter. "But I like playing there because I'm closer to the goal. Hopefully, I keep playing there because like I said I'm closer to the goal and can give me more opportunities to score."
Gomez had a wonderful goal to tie the match in the 56th minute. He freed himself from Wizards defender Tyson Wahl with a move to face the goal, and then ripped the ball inside the near post with a quick shot.
"Christian, I thought was very effective today," Soehn said. "He was playing in a spot he's normally not accustomed to, up top. The goal he scored was pretty classy."
The substitutions and playing out of position seem to make United stronger down the stretch. The team is weary of travel and the illnesses, but the team is finding cohesion.
"It's been tough, but it's going to help us in the long run," said United goalkeeper Troy Perkins.
"We have trust in every guy on our roster," he said. "We trust them to do the same job as the guys in front of them. We're not worried about that."
Thomas Foote is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
