Wednesday's disappointing 1-1 draw with Monarcas Morelia has raised the stakes for D.C. United in their Sunday night SuperLiga clash with Club America at RFK Stadium. Having missed an inviting chance to bag three points against Monarcas despite enjoying an early lead and a numerical advantage for the final 32 minutes, United are painfully aware of the need to remedy their recent inability to close out matches - especially against high-caliber opposition.
"[Tuesday, the] defense played a little better but it still wasn't good enough," said Bobby Boswell on Wednesday. "I think we need a solid team performance to win these games. You need a solid 90 minutes from the whole team and we did pretty well but we didn't finish the game off and that's why we're only sitting with one point."
Facing some gamesmanship and chippy tactics from their Primera Division opposition - several flying elbows and questionable challenges went unpunished before the match boiled over just prior to Luis Landin's 58th-minute ejection - the Black-and-Red showed signs that they might finally be developing the mean streak that many observers see as the team's missing link.
"Maybe it was something new; maybe it was SuperLiga or [playing a] Mexican team," said Ben Olsen, "or maybe we were just tired of playing soft, and tired of being an easy team to play against."
Representing the capital cities of their respective nations, both Club America and United need a positive result to keep themselves in contention for passage out of Group B and that motivation can only add to an atmosphere that clearly feeds off the heated international rivalry between the United States and Mexico.
"Whenever you play -- especially tournaments -- Mexican teams, Mexican-U.S., that's a big rivalry," acknowledged Boswell, who witnessed that passion as an unused substitute in the Yanks' 2-0 win against El Tri in February. "They don't want to lose, they don't want to trade jerseys. There's a lot that goes into these kind of games. ... It's a battle."
Whether it be a consequence of that hostility, the international nature of the competition or merely the multi-million dollar purse at stake, United's players notice the extra intensity on display and recognize its usefulness for their long-term ambitions.
"It definitely is different," said goalkeeper Troy Perkins. "Something like this where the quality is world-class, you're playing against great clubs and it's a little bit of a pride issue now. You're not out there banging shins with people and whacking lumps out of the other team. It's quality play and I think it's a good break for us to get away from playing MLS teams every week. I think it's going to help us."
Though Bryan Namoff and Guy Roland-Kpene have made progress in their recovery from hamstring strains, the United braintrust is unlikely to throw them back into action so soon and it appears that Greg Vanney is being treated with similar caution as he continues to deal with a high ankle sprain that he's played through for much of the season.
Along with the consistency of Devon McTavish, Marc Burch's swift adaptation to his new defensive role has made that decision easier for coach Tom Soehn. The former striker has now started at left back in three of United's last four matches, holding his own defensively and getting forward with increasing self-assurance. His emergence has also allowed Josh Gros to switch to the right side, and D.C.'s strikers stand to benefit if the two can contribute more service from the wings.
With a substantial contingent of America fans expected to turn out, United are preparing for a closely-fought contest in an animated atmosphere on Sunday - and if SuperLiga's tight early matches are any barometer, D.C.'s passage to the semifinals will hinge on their ability to finish their chances with more regularity than they've shown of late. Otherwise the club will find themselves in the unenviable position of needing to take three points at Houston's Robertson Stadium when they close out group play against Dynamo next Wednesday.
"I don't think anyone really thought this Mexico-U.S. tournament was going to be easy or friendly. It never is," said Olsen. "It'll continue to get ugly, and it's great - it's great for our fans, great for the intensity of the tournament. I love this situation and unfortunately we put ourselves behind the 8-ball a little bit with a tie instead of a win [against Morelia]. But we've got two more games. If we do OK and get some wins, we can get through to the second round."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
