Considering they were playing a majority of the first leg of their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series without their two leading scorers, Ben Olsen is confident that his D.C. United squad can rebound following the 1-0 loss to the Chicago Fire on Thursday night at Toyota Park.
"Overall, we're in good shape," Olsen said. "This is not a team that you can find yourself down a goal because they play excellent defense and they know how to play great team defense. They protected their home field advantage and now we go back to RFK (Stadium) down only a goal so I believe we'll be ready to play."
D.C. coach Tom Soehn had MLS leading scorer Luciano Emilio and Jaime Moreno on the bench to start the game. The two forwards suffered ankle injuries in the season finale against Columbus and were both game-time decisions against the Fire. Moreno came on to start the second half while Emilio came into the contest in the 78th minute.
"I had to bring them into the game because they're two of the best players in the league," Soehn said. "I wanted to give Luc a few minutes out there but more importantly was that there were not any more injuries and we came away healthy."
United came into that regular season finale not having lost since July 22, a stretch of 13 games. But now they've lost on back-to-back weekends and head home knowing they have to win to keep alive any hopes of playing in the MLS Cup Final on their home field.
"It was disappointing to lose but it's a two-game series. We've been in this position before and have learned to win," Soehn said. "They have to come into our building next week and that will be tough for them. Overall we had good possessions but now we know what we have to do against them. With Jaime and Luc back, that's going to make a big difference."
Emilio, who led the MLS with 20 goals, said he should be good to go when the two teams face each other November 1.
"My ankle is feeling better," Emilio said. "It starts a little sensitive but after I warm up and run on it, it does not hurt anymore. I need a little more treatment and with seven days to get ready for our next game, I'll be ready to play."
Moreno started the second half and was able to get one shot off on the night.
"My ankle feels good," Moreno said. "We would have liked a better result but we still have a game left."
D.C. conceded the only goal in the 14th minute. Chicago forward Chris Rolfe beat two United defenders to a ball that hung up in the air and fired past goalkeeper Troy Perkins for the eventual game winner.
"We weren't aggressive enough on that play," Perkins said. "We had two guys that should have gone after the ball and we gave them a good opportunity at it. Rolfe had an easy look and there was nothing more I could do about it.
"We played well enough to win but we had that lapse in the beginning and it cost us but overall I think we should have won the game."
Tim Hilton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
