D.C. United are moving south this weekend for another extended training camp in distant lands, as players and coaches travel to Guadalajara aiming for more success than the club's last journey to Mexico.
Two years ago, United ventured into the lion's den for the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions' Cup semifinal against a top-caliber Primera Division club after a disappointing 1-1 result at home, only to be torn limb from limb as Pumas UNAM took full advantage of a raw D.C. side with a 5-0 thumping in Mexico City.
This time Club Deportivo Guadalajara is the host, and with a more balanced blend of talent and seasoning, United will look to shake off those unsettling parallels to their star-crossed 2005 trip and earn a victory that would shock the region and send the Black-and-Red to their second Champions' Cup final.
"Well, we're two years removed from that, so there's some different faces," said D.C. coach Tom Soehn following the 1-1 first-leg draw against Chivas at RFK Stadium on March 15. "And you don't look back, you look forward to what's next. We're going to evaluate how we did here. I don't think enough guys had good games for us, and we're going to correct that for the next one."
In that 2005 meeting, United took on Pumas with an untested back line that was still in flux after the loss of team captain Ryan Nelsen, and most of the lineup produced poor performances that were compounded by the effects of the high-altitude setting in the Mexican capital.
"I remember we didn't really even show up," said winger Josh Gros. "We might as well not have gone on that trip - Pumas killed us. We've got more experience now, so hopefully we don't do the same thing."
The two-week Mexico camp will better acclimate the players' lungs to the mountainous region of Jalisco and also lead United into their MLS First Kick opener in the rarified air of Colorado on April 7. The long spell of separation from home and family poses its own set of mental challenges, although Ben Olsen noted that such travel is an early spring ritual for most MLS squads.
"It's still preseason though, so we're kind of used to it," said the 10th-year United veteran. "If we weren't in this competition, we'd be away for a lot longer than we have been, because of the home game situation. It's no big deal. But Guadalajara, it's in the middle of nowhere. It can wear on you after a couple of days."
Given that their defensive corps succeeded in limiting Chivas' chances at RFK, the D.C. strike force's ability to string together more possession and disrupt Los Rayados' rearguard looks to be the key to their prospects in Guadalajara.
"They were very solid defensively, with a line of four men back there. We couldn't find spaces to penetrate," said playmaker Christian Gomez after the first leg, before explaining his outlook on the return match.
"I think we have to be calm, first and foremost. Our defense played well today. So we just have to be calm and take the game as it comes to us, and try to create chances and close up the spacing on them."
Team captain Jaime Moreno has had a quiet 2007 thus far, but his savvy and composure will be critical if United is to write a new chapter in the forgettable history of U.S. sides playing on Mexican soil.
"We know it's not going to be easy, but we know we can do it," he said. "We've just got to put it in our minds that we can win on the road, and that's what we want. We would love to start the season like that, with a great win away, especially against a team that can play the game. So it's a big challenge for us."
As well, there could be a new attacking weapon for United in the return match against Chivas, as Brazilian attacker Fred da Silva continues to train with United and will make the trip to Mexico. Although the club is still waiting on final clearances that will allow his signing to be finalized, team officials are quietly optimistic that he will be eligible to participate in the April 3 match.
Fred's work rate and strong technical ability have already impressed coaches and players in small-sided games, and his addition would give Soehn a range of tactical options.
"Fred has got a lot of talent, he's got good feet, and we'll see how he does in [full-field] games," said Moreno.
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
