D.C. United bolted out of the gate with high expectations and high octane in 2006, surging towards club and league records for success and consistency as a fifth MLS Cup title beckoned. But the capital club would fall victim to their own excellence, dragged back down to earth by a grueling schedule and snuffed out by their relentless rivals from New England in another disappointing home playoff exit.
In his third year at the helm, coach Peter Nowak looked to a diverse, stable roster blending experience and talent to execute his fluid, aggressive style, and for four months, the rest of Major League Soccer had no answer. United sprinted to a 13-1-6 start that featured a 14-game unbeaten streak and a 4-0 demolition of Scottish champions Celtic F.C. in an international friendly.
But then the floor dropped out from underneath the Black-and-Red. A shock setback to bottom dwellers Real Salt Lake one week before the All-Star break ended D.C.'s streak and handed them their second defeat of the year. No one could have predicted that the 2-1 loss in Utah -- which was won by two injury-time penalty kicks for the home side -- would commence a debilitating skid that left United with the league's fewest wins in the second half of the season.
Their enormous early lead in the standings allowed Nowak's side to coast to the Supporters' Shield trophy and a top playoff seed. However, postseason momentum proved very elusive as United squeaked by New York before coming up short against the Revolution -- and the pain of that conference final loss was hardly eased by the knowledge that D.C. had produced its finest display in months.
"I just thought that maybe we got away from our game a little bit," said president and CEO Kevin Payne, discussing his team's late-season fade after the New England match. "Sometimes you slip into bad habits, guys start taking plays off. And tonight nobody did. That was our team tonight, that's the way we play."
It was always going to be a challenge for Nowak to keep his key players rested, as the season's hottest weather coincided with several high-profile outings for United, who sent a league-leading eight players to the All-Star showdown with Premier League champions Chelsea F.C., followed closely by a cross-country trip to Seattle for a friendly with Spanish giants Real Madrid.
"I know it's difficult with the summer months," said Nowak, "but we need to have some time off for these guys. Instead of that, we have a couple of friendlies, which you're not going to play against Real Madrid with reserve players. It doesn't make sense, because you expect that you're going to have the best possible lineup and the best possible result. So you have to weigh your options."
United's regular-season success does provide consolation for their second straight playoff letdown. As Supporters' Shield holders, the club will represent the U.S. in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, which necessitates a short offseason as match play resumes in mid-February.
"My first thought is, it's already last season now," said MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Troy Perkins after the loss to New England. "Now we have to look forward to CONCACAF and hopefully some bigger events. Now we start getting ready for next season and put this behind us. It was a good season overall for everyone, and it's a big building block for us to come back next season and start a dynasty again."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
