WASHINGTON - For a matchup that's often referred to as the fiercest rivalry in MLS, the D.C. United-MetroStars series has been rather one-sided, especially in recent years. The Metros have lost six of their last seven matches against D.C., including a discouraging end-of-season collapse last fall that is likely still galling to players and fans alike.
The MetroStars surrendered second place in the Eastern Conference with a 3-2 loss at RFK Stadium on the final day of the regular season, then were swept 4-0 on aggregate in their Eastern Conference semifinal series with United.
But on the eve of the teams' first meeting of 2005, things look decidedly different. D.C. is still struggling to find its identity, having failed to win back-to-back games all season, while their I-95 rivals have overcome a slow start and enter Sunday's match on a three-game unbeaten streak.
For fifth-place United, the clash at Giants Stadium is the first of three conference matchups in one week, with Chicago and New England scheduled to visit Washington on Wednesday and Saturday respectively. Depending on their performances, the defending MLS champs could vault themselves back into contention atop the Eastern Conference or find themselves even further off the pace.
"I think the whole stretch is very important, crucial," said United head coach Peter Nowak. "We have to answer a couple of questions to ourselves, where we are at the moment. It's going to be pretty interesting, but I know right now my team is very sharp and confident. They know this stretch is going to give us a lot of answers."
Nowak was encouraged by his side's performance against San Jose last week, despite their inability to convert their dominance into a victory.
"There were a lot of positives, actually," he said. "How we played the game. Of course, we had chances to win the game, and we should - we must - win these games. But the way they competed, I was very pleased with that. Nothing is going to change in the next couple of days."
Concerns about the squad's lack of scoring have supplanted early-season worries about D.C.'s back line, thanks in part to the steady performances of center back Bobby Boswell, but the rookie refuses to point the finger at his offensive counterparts.
"I don't see it like that," he said "It's a team thing. We've had some games where we scored three goals and given up four. It'd be nice to go down there and get the win, but we've got to do what we've got to do - try to keep a clean sheet in the back and get some goals going forward."
Boswell has spent hours analyzing game films from the 2004 Atlantic Cup clashes, in addition to watching this year's retooled Metros, who have benefited from the guile and vision of French playmaker Youri Djorkaeff, while recent addition Ante Razov might be a man on a mission in his first match in the Red-and-Black.
"It'll be interesting playing against Djorkaeff for the first time," said Boswell. "Razov, we played against (in Columbus); I don't know if he'll get the go or not. You've got to watch [Mike] Magee coming up, and of course [Amado] Guevera, he's a great player."
Polished midfielder Guevara earned league MVP honors last season, although United found success against the MetroStars by hounding the Honduran international into his own end in order to receive possession.
"We've got to keep our focus," says United winger Josh Gros. "Guevara is pretty much the key to their offense. If we can force him to go backwards instead of forwards, I think we'll be all right."
UNITED NOTES: Depending on lighting conditions, Gros may be trying out the latest innovation in athletic equipment on Sunday: performance contact lenses. He received the lenses from Nike, his gear sponsor, who has also given them to several pro baseball players for appraisal. "It's kind of like wearing sunglasses, they take 99 percent of the UV rays out," said Gros ... Left winger Steve Guppy is working hard on his rehabilitation from Achilles tendonitis, doing fitness work during team training as well as individualized treatment, but is struggling to shake off the condition. His date of return is indefinite ... Sunday's match will be played on a temporary natural grass surface, rather than the usual FieldTurf at Giants Stadium, thanks to an Ecuador-Italy international friendly the previous day.
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
