As D.C. United prepare to face off with Minnesota United FC, I chatted with Bridget McDowell, editor of Northland Soccer Journal, to see what we can expect from the Loons! Catch my take on the Black-and-Red after the Q&A.
Q&A with Bridget McDowell of Northland Soccer Journal
Thank you for taking the time to chat, Bridget! After a long run with head coach Adrian Heath, the Loons are under new leadership. How has the transition been and what have you noticed this season?
Even before Ramsay came in about a month into the season, it was a different atmosphere. Every player was working hard for his teammates and shutting out the noise and speculation. Eric Ramsay carried in the same work ethic (helped along by interim head coach-turned-assistant coach Cameron Knowles), focusing on building an identity as a squad and as a club rather than being reactive to results. Each match is a learning experience: Knowles, and then Ramsay, brought in a training method that Heath rarely used – watching film and breaking down areas of improvement. The squad was positive, held one another accountable while also covering for each other’s weaknesses.
It has been a refreshing change. There are still plenty of things to improve on but hearing a coach answer for his own decisions and his players’ execution of the game plan, and acknowledge that they’re all still working things out and growing together, is a breath of fresh air for a club that had grown stale, on and off the pitch.
Minnesota sits in 9th in the Western Conference – What do they need to do to tip them into more comfortable playoff contention?
After months of bouncing between 2nd and 5th, 9th feels incredibly low but there is plenty of time to turn it around. Hopefully having all the international absences cleared up this week will help to lessen the extra load on the rest of the squad and allow them to do what they do best, rather than trying to force a play they don’t have the skill for or overthinking a touch, a shot, a pass. Return healthy players and get back to the mindset they had at the beginning of the season – Put in the work as a team, put in the work as individuals to sacrifice for the team, and play their game.
Bringing in a DP in the summer window would help to ramp up the pressure to develop but, at the same time, this squad has seen results without that kind of player around this season so giving the guys a chance to get back to the basics that put them in the top 4 should be enough to climb back within reach.
You’ve lost a few players to international duty – How has that impacted the Loons and their usual form?
There was a time when Loons fans simply wanted to see members of their squad get international time or to have more than one international-caliber player. It always seemed like a good problem to have. Nine international players, most of whom were regular starters and key pieces of the lineups’ spine? It’s no longer a good problem – especially when injuries pile up at the same time. (And when you transfer a returning international, like Kervin Arriaga, to Serbia and further upset the midfield balance.) Ramsay got to test the depth of the squad (and more clearly identify where it was lacking) and give young players valuable minutes but if not for that solid run of form when Ramsay first came in that gave them a small cushion in the standings, the results would have been disastrous.
The most visible absences were Dayne St. Clair and Tani Oluwaseyi who were both with the Canadian team through Copa America. DSC has been one of few constants for this squad so the backline would have been slightly out of rhythm without him even if there were no other defensive absences. Veteran Clint Irwin did what he could for a few games before an injury that saw MNUFC2 keeper Alec Smir brought up (and an Academy player brought up to the Twos to take his place). Oluwaseyi had been named to their supplemental roster before going on an absolute tear for the Loons in the last game before the international ‘break’ and landed himself a call-up to Copa. His speed and positioning was sorely missed from a heavily rotated attacking lineup and the high press pretty much disappeared. Their likely return on Wednesday is the carrot that got supporters through the last couple matches.
Anyone we need to watch out for?
Oluwaseyi, if he plays (and it sounds likely that he will at least be available), is an unpredictable threat. He missed a ton of good chances for Canada and will be looking for a confidence goal or two. Robin Lod (the club’s lone All Star selection this year) is the [Finnish] Army Knife of the midfield and has worn a few hats since returning from international duty last month. Michael Boxall, the perennial centerback, will be looking to redeem some costly defensive errors before he leaves for Paris with the New Zealand team and DC has the kind of offense that he loves to disrupt.
Predictions?
A 3-1 win for Minnesota in which all the returning internationals play out of their minds, desperate to hear Wonderwall after so long. Translated from Minnesota sports fan vernacular, that’s a rough 2-2 draw on tired legs, desperate for an actual ‘international break.’
About the Black-and-Red
D.C. United played to a well deserved win against Nashville, finally snapping their winless streak. However, the Black-and-Red are ready for a break. After tonight’s regular season matchup, D.C. will play in Saturday’s friendly with Celtic FC and Christian Benteke and Aaron Herrera will join up with the MLS All Star squad on 7/24 in Columbus.
In terms of lineup, Troy Lesesne will likely go for what works tonight, especially knowing that there is a break on the horizon and points matter more than ever. It’s anyone’s guess who will be D.C. United’s dangerman, but Aaron Herrera is one to watch, as are Jared Stroud, Ted Ku-DiPietro, and Cristian Dájome. And yes, there is always the possibility that Christian Benteke will ruin Minnesota’s night with a hat trick.
I predict Alex Bono stays in goal, and Lesesne fields Aaron Herrera, Christopher McVey, Matti Peltola, Pedro Santos, Cristian Dájome, Matuesz Klich, Martin Rodríguez, Jared Stroud, Ted Ku-DiPietro, Christian Benteke. Gabe Pirani will likely be a super sub.
Hear what head coach Troy Lesesne had to say at the pre-game press conference here.
Let us know your thoughts about tonight’s match in the comments below!
Previously: Last time D.C visited Allianz Field, they were downed 2-0 by the Loons.
Minnesota United FC Availability:
Out: Hugo Bacharach (knee), DJ Taylor (leg), Wil Trapp (leg)
Questionable: Clint Irwin (leg)
D.C. United Availability:
Out: Conner Antley (knee), Russell Canouse (not due to injury), Jacob Murrell (head)
Questionable: None
Location: Allianz Field, Saint Paul, Minn.
Kickoff time: 8:30 pm ET
Referee: Ricardo Fierro
Available streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Thanks, Sarah, especially for the lineup prediction. Would it be possible for DP to add a simple, match-day thread for future USMNT and USWNT games.
It would be nice if there was just thread with a title, no need for a write up or anything, just a space. Seems like enough of us watch these games that a space where we know others would be would be appreciated
Have a Wednesday thing now, but will try to catch the last half hour.
BTW, Will Nelson noted yesterday that Bartlett, Herrera, and Klich are all one yellow away from suspension. Write me a five page essay on why Klich is not playing next game
Oh I can take a stab at that! If he’s in danger of yellow card accumulation, clearly that means that he’ll get 2 yellows tonight, which means he’d miss the next game due to Red Card Suspension! This seems to be how DC’s yellow card accumulations go now
Kind of makes me feel like these guys need to be pulled in the 2nd half if they haven’t gotten carded yet. Just to put off the inevitable until after the “break.”
Hey, none of them got a yellow!
This is an important game. Picking up a win going into the break would be a nice boost and it would put us up the ladder a bit to help with a late season push to the p p p p playoffs
The US U-20 men’s rugby take on the Scotland U-20s in the final of the World Rugby U20 Trophy today at 2:45 PM EDT. It can be streamed for free on RugbyPass TV (run by World Rugby). The winner will be promoted to next year’s World Rugby U-20 Championship.
https://edinburghrugby.org/news-and-features/scotland-u20-set-for-usa-finale/
https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/news/usa-u20s-set-face-scotland-today
stream: https://rugbypass.tv/live/269344
Scotland definitely keeping the US pinned, some great defense so far has kept the Scots out of the tryzone. But just 8 minutes in and in the 3 scrums so far the Scots have blown the US backwards. And now Scotland’s pressure has paid off in the breakdown off a stuffed Scotland rolling maul at the tryline. The try is not converted so its 5-0 to Scotland after 9 minutes.
The US needs to clean up their lineouts. The first one got picked off and the 2nd one was an overthrow that Scotland caught.
Good tryline defense results in the ball being held up and a goal line drop kick. The US has been on almost constant defense.
The Scots are not kicking for points a they are confident they are stronger in the rolling maul than the US defense. But so far the US has stopped the rolling mauls short.
though the last 2 have been stopped by penalties on the Scots. One making contact with US players ahead of the maul after it formed while not part of the maul. And the one just now by obstruction preventing US defenders from reaching the maul.
There is no TMO in this game…and damn it another overthrow by the US on a lineout.
Scotland’s quick ball and heavy pressure pays off on a linebreak and another try for Scotland at 26′ and the ball is dotted down under the posts, but unlike in MLR its not an auto conversion. The try is converted its now 12-0 at the 28′ mark.
US attempts a pk goal and its wide and short, which Scotland fields….that was almost the US’s first points.
Scotland’s pressure finally pushes the US defense back and after multiple phases Scotland has dotted down again. Conversion missed its 17-0 to Scotland after 38 minutes. Scotland is proving to be far more physical and maintaining possession. The U-20 Eagles have barely had any of the ball.
At half its 17-0 to Scotland who are very much in control. The US hasn’t really threatened or spent much time outside their own defensive half.
The US finally on the scoreboard in the 44′ with a penalty kick goal and its 17-3 to Scotland.
But Scotland replies immediately with a rolling maul and dots it down. A mistake off the restart and Scotland makes the US pay. But the conversion is missed again and its 22-3 to Scotland at 46′.
US defense is tiring and one of the Scottish fullbacks is just finding line breaks for long runs on the wings.
US scramble defense keeping them in the game with these long breaks and big runs by Scotland.
Scotland breaks through the US defense again that had stopped the maul, but the ball carrier broke off and dotted down. Conversion is good this time and its 29-3 at the 65 mintues.
Scotland with another try in the 71’….and conversion is good its 34-3 in the 74′. That first try in the 2nd half by Scotland killed the game. That and the US not being able to maintain any possession.
After the conversion its was 36-3.
Scotland dotted down again in the 76′. The US defense has been making too many tackles to close to the line. Its 43-3 to Scotland.
Another try to Scotland its 48-3 after the missed conversion in the 80′.
With the last play of the game the US dots down with a gorgeous cross field kick. Conversion is good and final score is Scotland 48 USA 10.
Wow Philly is running riot on the Revs….3-0…also ATL beating Yankees FC (NYCFC) 2-0…
Bartlett left on the bench as Lesesne goes with the same lineup as Saturday. It’s a gamble when you’re playing a high energy system but squad consistency can also help a lot. At least Lesesne isn’t that shy about early subs.
The bench is interesting with Hopkins back and Miller not on it. Oh, and Nyeman is on Minnesotas bench. I hadn’t realized he played for them now.
Yep–we’ve got exactly one offensive sub (Pirani). It’s good to see Hopkins on the bench as well–maybe he could be an offensive sub if needed. Where is Murrell? Also, I’m betting that Tyler Miller has a knock of some sort (which is why we recalled Zamudio).
I think we’ll see both Murrel and Fletcher go out on loan once Badji and Schnegg are officially able to play. They both need consistent playing time right now and I don’t see them getting it based on how they’ve performed so far.
Murrell was on the injury list, with the injury being listed as his head, so I’m assuming he’s in concussion protocol
That was a nice through ball by Dajome, but Benteke got really luck there after a poor first touch.
Benteke is the ninth player in DC United history to reach 30 goals scored for the club. He’s also broken his mark that he set last year for goals scored in a season (in MLS, anyway). The game’s not over yet, but right now he’s at 37 goal contributions in 59 games, which is precisely the mark held by Fabian Espindola.
So yeah, Benteke’s now at 39 goal contributions in 59 games!
Hearing Vamos United for the wrong United
Why is this game feeling like dropped points again?
Now it’s all 3 points dropped…
Incredible tackle by Bartlett in the box.
I’m just joining, my folks have been watching. Pukki just scored, but I thought I’d mention that they said this half is the worst MLS gameplay they’ve ever seen. They introduced an impressionable young Talonesque to United viewing in 96….
I don’t see us tieing it.
I was wrong.
So wrong 🙂
Yes so very wrong. Happily wrong.
Well, technically you were right. We didn’t tie.
Benteke assists Herrera! We’re tied!
Collector’s item
3-2, Benteke brace
After Pukki scored, the broadcast showed DC with a 1.2% of winning.
Never tell Benteke the odds! (Shuts off C3PO
What a great comeback!!! Have we ever seen DC United score two goals at the very end of a match for a win? A wonderful way to go into a five-week break from MLS regular season play. Now we have Celtic and three (minimum) MLS-MX Leagues Cup to work our three new players in and rehab injured players.
I can’t overstate how important this game was in the grand scheme of things.
This season is hard, but I appreciate that the team never gives up (the odd Orlando game aside). And I also appreciate that our wins are coming in unusual ways. For instance, we won in Atlanta which hardly ever happens. We beat Seattle, which hardly ever happens. We beat Nashville for the first time ever. We won in Minnesota for the first time ever (and scored our first goals – still salty about that Pines header).
This season may not be great, but it’s way more fun that other years.