WASHINGTON - While a 1-1 draw against a powerful Mexican side might seem like a respectable result for a U.S. club, D.C. United acknowledge that they let a golden opportunity slip through their hands by failing to beat CD Guadalajara last week in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal. With the second leg in the famed Estadio Jalisco less than two weeks away on April 3 (FSC/FSE), United will have time to work on the offensive issues that hurt them against Chivas.
"We didn't do a good job changing the field, said United head coach Tom Soehn. "There was a lot of space on the opposite side of the field to open up the game. We didn't recognize that, and we'll address those situations. It's something to build off."
United scored their goal when a stoppage-time free kick by Christian Gomez found the head of an unmarked Luciano Emilio, who buried the header from six yards out. Gomez, the 2006 Honda MLS Most Valuable Player, believes the goal has given United hope that they can pull off an upset, because it will force Chivas to change their tactics.
"We're even with them. If we had lost, it would have been more difficult to go into their home," Gomez said. "Now, they're obligated to come out and attack. That's going to leave spaces in the defenses where we can counterattack, and hopefully we will be smart enough to take advantage of those opportunities."
Midfielder Josh Gros agrees. "It definitely helps that we fought the whole game and got that goal in the last minute," he said. "It gives us confidence going down there. Obviously, at the end of the game they weren't happy, and that's a good thing."
Throughout the game, United had difficulty settling into their possession game. Chivas were very quick to step into the passing lanes and intercept balls, and had no problems committing tactical fouls to stop the play. Only once did they foul in a position where United could capitalize with a set piece, and it resulted in Emilio's goal.
"Chivas knew that we had speed up top," Gomez said, "and they were smart to clog up the middle and commit fouls. That's part of the game."
"I think you have to give credit to Chivas for coming in and pressuring us," said Emilio. "It was a difficult game because we didn't control the ball much, unlike the other games. It's something that we've analyzed and I think we can do better for the second game."
United know they have a difficult task in front of them. Not only will they have to face a large and hostile crowd at the Estadio Jalisco, but the altitude in Guadalajara will provide an additional challenge for a team that is not yet in full fitness. To prepare, they will fly down to Mexico this weekend to give themselves an extra week in the 5,200-foot high city.
By coincidence, it will also help United prepare for their MLS season opener, to take place four days after the match against Chivas, on April 7 against the Colorado Rapids in the brand-new Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce, Colo. That match will be broadcast live on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET.
For all the problems United had on the offensive side of the ball, Soehn had no issues with the way United's defense prevented Chivas' vaunted three-pronged attack of Omar Bravo, Sergio Santana and Adolfo Bautista from getting many good looks at goal, limiting Chivas to just two shots on goal.
"We put forth a lot of energy in the first half defensively, and we won balls in good spots. They thrive on service, and I thought we eliminated a lot of the service," Soehn said. "I thought we did a great job on that."
David Lifton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
