by Ethan Johnson
October 4, 2008
Yes, I am really backlogged with my sports shenanigans. Short and sweet:
This game was played on Sunday, September 28.
This was one of many (translation: the remainder of the regular season) "must win" games for FCD. The playoffs are so close and yet so far, and while tantalizing, I have been consistent in my concern that FCD lacks the necessary cake and frosting to either advance into the post-season, or provide meaningful opposition to whomever they might face upon arrival.
DCU would appear to be a good test for FCD to gauge their playoff readiness, but DCU has their own problems. My beef with soccer worldwide is that there's simply too much of it. This may seem to be a strange beef to have, but really, sometimes more is just more. DCU is living with the real world effects of this glut, as they not only have to slog through the remainder of the regular MLS season, but contend with at least one other ongoing tournament.
On a side note, where are "Los Toros"? They were formed with the intent of providing another rabid fan presence in the stadium, and lately they haven't been hanging their banner. They haven't seemed to attract the following they hoped for, which could account for their apparent absence. Similarly, where is the "Guardia Roja"? I wonder if the answer to my question is simply "welcome to sub-.500 ball."
9th minute: As has been the case lately, FCD scored a free kick which was taken by Andre Rocha. Amazingly, nobody touched the ball pro or con, and he skipped it into the net. 0-1 FCD.
53rd minute: DCU makes a run at the FCD goal, and despite numerous scoring attempts, come up empty.
56th minute: Saragosa crosses the ball into the box on the run, and Jeff Cunningham sends it into the net. 0-2 FCD.
FCD substitutions: Diulio Davino on for Aaron Pitchkolan, Dominic Oduro on for Jeff Cunningham, and Dax McCarty on for Adrian Serioux. Interesting to see Dax get subbed in.
90+ minute: Kenny Cooper takes it to the hoop net! 0-3 FCD. That's Numberwang.
I really didn't have high hopes for this game, but DCU being gassed and FCD taking advantage of key opportunities translated into three standings points. Not enough to vault FCD into the thick of the playoff hunt, but enough to fuel the fan forum gab-fest for another few days.
Next up: FCD played host to San Jose on October 2nd. (Recap to follow soon.) <EM>
(The full MLS article archive may be found here.)
