Greg Vanney has seen most everything the MLS Cup Playoffs have to offer. Throughout nine years in the league, the MLS Original has yet to miss a postseason, logging 2,748 playoff minutes with Los Angeles, Dallas and now D.C. United.
As a young Galaxy defender in 1996 and 1999, he had to watch United celebrate two MLS Cup Final victories against his team, and also fell just short of the prize six years ago thanks to L.A.'s overtime final loss to the San Jose Earthquakes.
But in all that time, Vanney has never taken part in a high-stakes playoff clash on the lush turf at RFK Stadium, the sturdy concrete bowl where some of the proudest fans in the nation revel in their club's preeminent position in the annals of contemporary U.S. soccer. Thursday night's match with Chicago will be his first postseason appearance at RFK.
"You know coming here and playing here against D.C., you're going to have a very difficult time," said the veteran U.S. international. "I think it's a special environment, made by the fans but also made by the history of this club in the short history of MLS, it being the most successful club in the league."
The Fire are by and large the only squad to have enjoyed sustained success in the face of that legacy, and remain confident in their playoff dominance of D.C. But United hope their supporters can play the role of "12th man" against Chicago this time, and help push the Black-and-Red to the victory that will prolong the season and preserve their championship aspirations.
"Coming home, that says it all," said coach Tom Soehn. "We're a tough team to play at home, and it's a tough environment to play in. We're going to be ready for them."
Ticket sales have been brisk and with mild fall weather conducive to walk-up crowds, a large turnout is expected for the nationally televised match. It's up to United to stand and deliver -- and the team sounds more than ready for the task.
"I think guys are relaxed, and confident that we're going to come out with the performance we need. We feel very comfortable being at home," said Vanney. "We think the fans are going to show up in numbers and give us a little extra energy and encourage us through the game. And aside from that, being at home means being in your bed and going through your daily routine and eating what you normally eat, not having to go through all the travel and all that."
D.C. striker Luciano Emilio has worked diligently to overcome his left ankle troubles and says he's ready to start. Pain has not been an issue for the MLS Golden Boot winner so much as the need for stability in order to plant and cut normally.
"I think I am ready. I don't think I have a problem for tomorrow," said the Brazilian, conducting interviews in English on Wednesday. "Tomorrow is a big game and everyone wants to play in this game. I am excited."
He can expect his ankle's fitness to be tested by a hard-nosed Fire defense in top form at the moment. The Men in Red have become remarkably stingy down the stretch, and earned another shutout in the first leg by balancing discipline and organization with the nasty edge for which they've become infamous.
"My opinion is that that they approach us as a fairly soft team, a very technical team," said Vanney. "If we get into a rhythm, then they're going to be in trouble, so they play physical -- fouls, trying to get people off their game. Because if we do establish a rhythm it becomes very, very difficult for the defending team. So I think that is a strategy of theirs: can they keep us out of that rhythm, can they disrupt some of our guys who help us get into a rhythm?"
Fully expecting the Fire to again sit deep and clog their defensive third while waiting to pounce on the counterattack, United will look to Fred, the other half of their Brazilian contingent, to provide danger and creativity on the left wing, with energetic veteran Ben Olsen roaming the right.
"They're a very good defense," said Fred, adding that the D.C. attacking corps will be "more comfortable" with the return of Emilio and team captain Jaime Moreno. "They stay compact all the time and I think if we play on the outsides, we'll do a better job."
Conversely, Vanney and his fellow defenders must be nearly flawless at the back in order to keep United within striking distance of the win.
"We need to recognize also as backs, that we don't have any room for mistake," he said. "We need to be very sure about what we do, and very clean on how we handle their counterattacks and how we handle Blanco and guys like that. It's kind of a defender's nightmare, but at the same time I'm very confident with our team and the players we have, both on the attacking side and defensive side, that we should be OK."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
