WASHINGTON – To most outside observers, D.C. United’s encounter with the New England Revolutionon Sundayevening hardly seemed like a must-win for the Black-and-Red.
Even after losing back-to-back matches for the first time all season, East-leading United entered the match four points clear of a second-place New England side that had won only once in their last seven games. With D.C. set to embark on their longest road trip of the year, however – a five-game tilt that will take them across the country and back – Sunday’s2-1 win felt a little bit bigger than other victories.
"I don’t think we can say it enough, how important this game was,” United midfielder Davy Arnaud said after the match, which vaulted D.C. into first in the Supporters’ Shield standings. "We’re only halfway through the year, but this was one we needed to win – especially considering our last [two results.] We don’t like to lose two games in a row and we don't make a habit of that. Even if we would’ve gotten a tie, we would’ve been a little disappointed with that, especially with five games on the road, this gets us back on track and gives us confidence going into a tough stretch.”
Extracting a result from the match was never going to be easy for either team; both sides relied on a handful of regulars during their midweek US Open Cup matches and were forced to deal with game time temperatures at RFK Stadium that crept into the low 90s. United were also handed another blow during pregame warm-ups when Chris Pontius – who’d been scheduled to start out wide – suffered what head coach Ben Olsen later described as a calf strain.
Perhaps feeling the effects of the heat and the quick turnaround, United started sluggishly, and New England capitalized. Just 10 minutes in, former United forward Charlie Davies positioned himself well to knock home the game’s opener, a one-timed effort from eight yards out. It was not the first time that D.C. had given up an early goal – United have made a habit out of playing from behind – but on such a hot, humid day, it felt a bit more costly than usual.
"It’s become a little bit of a recurring theme for us, giving up first goals,” said Arnaud. “The good thing is that we’ve shown we can come back a lot – we’ve said the same thing two, three times now. It’s good that we can come back but we don’t want to be coming from behind too often. It’s not easy to do, but the response in the second half was great.”
United’s second half drive was spearheaded by two of United’s most important offensive pieces: Fabian Espindola and Chris Rolfe. The two combined to great effect on United’s opener, as Espindola drifted out wide, drawing his defender to the end line before floating a cross to the back post. Rolfe was clinical with his finish, smashing it home from close range.
Better known around the league for his finishing ability, Espindola has recently grown into a bit more of a provider;Sunday’sassist makes five in his past five matches played. It’s an unfamiliar role, but one the former RSL forward seems to have embraced.
"He’s our best passer,” Olsen told MLSsoccer.com after the match. "There’s no question. He has the ability to play-make. We obviously like when he’s scoring goals, [but also] the times when he’s able to get into the box, particularly towards the endline, it’s pretty impressive. [He floats a lot of balls towards the] back post or they're cut back into dangerous spots where some of our guys are lurking. I think he’s been great.”
On United’s second strike – from the PK spot – Espindola initially stepped up to the attempt but Rolfe suggested that he mighttake the attempt, eager to put his hot hand to use. Again, Rolfe’s finish was top-notch, a low, driven effort that New England ‘keeper Bobby Shuttleworth had little chance at. After the match, Rolfe suggested that he and Espindola are finally beginning to round into the form that made them among MLS’ most entertaining duos in 2014.
“He’s doing what he can to get involved,” said Rolfe. "If that’s running down the channels and getting crosses in, he’s doing that. It’s a great quality. I kind of feel bad for him because our chemistry was so good last year, and now we’ve had this time off [during his injury spell and suspension earlier this season] and I’ve been playing different positions, it’s just not where it was last year. But it’s beginning to come along for sure."
