WASHINGTON – For the second year running, D.C. United are headed to the knockout rounds of CONCACAF Champions League. And for the second year in a row, they sewed their group up early – their 2-0 victory over Panamanian side Arabe Unido leaves them six points clear atop Group H with a game remaining.
What’s more, United managed to secure all three of their victories playing lineups heavy on reserves, preserving their first-choice pieces for what’s shaping up to be a grueling run toward the MLS Cup Playoffs – one that starts this weekend with a crucial matchup against third-place Columbus Crew SC.
"I’m happy we advanced,” United head coach Ben Olsen told MLSsoccer.com after the match. “[We’ve still got] one game to play obviously; we’re going to go down there and try to make sure we get the fourth result that we want. They’re good wins – these games are never easy, no matter who you play.”
Olsen’s reserve-heavy lineup looked a bit rusty, but there was no doubting their energy. Outside of center back Steve Birnbaum, midfielder Chris Pontius and forwards Conor Doyle and Jairo Arrieta, there were few players on the pitch who see regular first-team minutes, and more than a couple seemed eager to seize the opportunity presented to them.
"They take it as a big challenge,” said Olsen. "These are real games, and they mean a lot to these players. It means a lot to the club and they understand that, so the one thing I don’t doubt for a second with the crew that plays these games is their effort and their ability to compete. Sometimes the final stuff isn’t always there, but their willingness to match the energy and the commitment of the other teams is real.
“And that’s a big component to some of these CONCACAF teams.”
D.C. also had the luxury of playing with an early lead, an advantage that they’ve rarely had during league play. It took just 34 seconds for United to get their opener – Birnbaum and Pontius combined on the build-up, while Doyle took care of the end product. Though Olsen certainly enjoyed the early tally, the head coach was quick to point out a few of his side’s shortcomings as well.
“[Getting that early goal is] good,” said Olsen, "especially because then you know they have to come at you, and you now understand there’s gonna be even more space behind. But we didn’t do well enough to really exploit that. They’ve got some guys that are a real handful, you know? They really challenge you with one-v-one duels, you really have to move your feet and understand how to defend because of their quickness and their ability to put you on your heels. I thought in the second half we did a good job of digging in and making sure we won those battles."
With advancement assured and their final group match rendered meaningful only for quarterfinals seeding purposes, Olsen may choose to sit out the group finale in Montego Bay on Sept. 22, sending assistant coach Chad Ashton in his stead. Earlier this year, the affable head coach had joked that he might renew his vows in the Caribbean paradise.
“We’ll talk about that, who goes, who’s lucky enough to travel to Montego Bay,” Olsen said with a smile. “I hear it’s a nice place."
