[retired_mallory08]

NE clinch playoff spot; Board still want Boss's head

Despite a league performance outpacing what the board could reasonably have expected going into this season, recent press conferences with New England boss Nick Gutierrez have him dangling above the scrapheap that is soon to be MLS management, and it seems to be only a matter of time before he is dropped in along with several others.

After the side's 2-1 loss to Colorado, the manager responded to a question about his side 'backing into the playoffs' with a string of words that we, as a family publication, cannot reproduce. Suffice it to say that he was not happy with both the question and his team's performance in that game, singling out his strike force.

"Once we get ourselves in a hole," said the boss in one of his more clean press conferences following a 1-0 home loss to Chicago, "we can't seem to dig ourselves out. This time around, Ralph scored 13 minutes in, and if you listen closely, you could almost hear the sound of a deflated balloon, flying around the stadium."

Following this match was a solid performance against the Metros, with Steve Ralston playing a fantastic match on the right wing. "Ralston was a @!#$%^& 10 today. He had more space than Mel Gibson on his new island, and he took full advantage. And if it wasn't for Henry Ring, it would have been a lot worse than 1-0, and I'm (more than a bit disappointed) that it wasn't."

Then, a trip to DC, in a match that had a promising beginning and then little to sustain it. Pat Noonan scored in the first minute, on a flick-on off of a free kick, and the rest of the game didn't really have much action. Another 1-0 win for the least goal-prolific team in MLS, and don't think the manager hasn't noticed. "Getting into the playoffs is one thing, but if we're going to beat the best teams out there, we've got to score a goal now and then."

After this two match winning streak, followed by a rather impressive 3-0 win in the cup, the board inexplicably announced that they have given the manager the dreaded vote of confidence. This move baffled many of the club's supporters, and the boss himself, who replied to the announcement with a brief statement outlining his dismay, which, again, we cannot reproduce except for the following segment: "This team (isn't a great one, by any means), but nobody expected us to be in the playoffs this year."

[retired_mallory08]

United boss on the hotseat

United started out having more problems as they dropped another 3 points to New England in a 2-0 away loss. Facing Colorado next, United escaped with a 0-0 draw as Mark Chung failed to convert from the spot shooting wide despite sending Rimando the wrong way.

A cup match against Charleston saw United defeat their weaker opponents easily by a score of 4-0 to advance to the Quarter finals against Dallas.

The league match against Dallas was another heartbreaker for United as they lost yet another away game 1-0 thanks to a Troy Perkins blunder late in the match. Rimando was red carded earlier in the match due to a foul right outside of the box.

Coming back home, United faced Columbus and despite snatching the first goal, were unable to hold on to the lead with backup keeper Troy Perkins the culprit. The match ended as a 2-1 loss for United despite dominating the match and Columbus manging only 1 shot on target but scoring two goals :roll: Oktay Derelioglu snatched United's only goal right before half time.

Next United had Chicago in town with Freddy Adu making his first start in the MLS. His start was shortlived as a broken jaw sidelined him only 5 minutes after the start. Ironically, his replacement Carlos Fernando Figueroa was the scorer from a free kick in the 64th minute as Chicago's hard tacking came back to haunt them. An even match otherwise ended with a 1-0 victory for United.

United's match against FC Dallas in the US Cup saw United mount a late comeback despite falling down 1-0 in the middle of the first half. A 90th minute goal by none other than Carlos Fernando Figueroa sent the match to extra time. Little happened in extra time and the match was taken to penalty kicks. Despite missing their first three tries United, got goals from Oktay, Hendrickson, Namoff, Dinjar to tie the pnealties at 4-4. Carey Talley's shot was saved by Rimando and he later stepped up to convert the penalty and send United to the Semi Finals. Despite his stellar display, Rimando was edged out by Pat Onstad for the Man of the Match honours. Dema Kovalenko picked up an injury during extra time and had to miss United's next two matches.

Next, United travelled to Giant Stadium to meet the strugging MetroStars. John Wolyniec was injured in the first half and once again it was a replacement to an injured player that determined the score. Alecko Eskandarian grabbed the winner with 7 minutes from time.

Home game against New England saw United concede a goal in the first minute and they were never able to rebound. Strong defensively, New England did not give up much and United just did not have the creativity to open up the defense.

Against San Jose, the home fans got to see an exciting match as United saw an attacking style of play from both sides. Alecko Eskandarian grabbed the winner 5 minutes after the half thanks to a deflection that fooled johnny Walker. Marko Dinjar grabbed the seocnd goal from a corner kick late in the half as United were able to send San Jose away empty handed in a match that could have gone either way.

Tahnks to the poor form of MetroStars, United have easily managed to qualify for the playoffs with several matches remaining in the season. United will close out the regular season with an away match against FC Dallas followed by the cup semi final at Kansas City. The two teams will travel back to D.C. for a back to back two match affair and United will travel to Columbus to close out the season.

Despite being second in the standings, the board has indicated their displeasure with the United manager. In a comment to the media United manager said "Well I imagine they are unhappy because of my criticism of Gakhokidze. I may have been a bit harsh on the lad but I was frustraded with his lack of productivity all season. He is the second highest earner on the squad yet he can't seem to make a single assist or score a goal. I want him to play to his potential. That's all."

It seems the days of either the manager of Gakhokidze are numbered in D.C. Time will tell who stays and who leaves.

[retired_mallory08]

Smith-Bryan and Columbus 'Crewsing' On Up

**********

DC United (A)

2-1 (WIN)

**********

Chicago (A)

1-0 (WIN)

**********

MetroStars (H)

4-0 (WIN)

**********

FC Dallas (A)

0-0 TIE

**********

Currently sitting top of the Eastern Conference ahead by six points and with a game to play on second place DC United, Smith-Bryan looked understandably pleased and in jovial mood.

He fielded a few questions from the press:

"What's the reason for you sitting top of the league coach?"

"Well, the guys are working hard in training and we've avoided long term injuries to key players. Overall, we're working as a unit and defending from the front."

"Some of your opponents are under pressure to get results - what's your advice to them?"

"Keep on working hard, the results will come..."

"After the first few games you were sitting second bottom with barely a win to your name, what's changed?"

"The attitude of the players. After they got their first couple of wins they were full of confidence, and confidence breeds a winning attitude. I single out our captain, Elliott, he's been the driving force of this team. He may be injured right now, but the impression he brings to the dressing room is infectious. He's a winner."

"You're top of the league and have already qualified for the play-offs handily, do you sit back and play easy now?"

"No, never. We go out wanting to win every game. It would be an injustice to the crew fans and staff if these players didn't give 100% from now 'til the final game of the season."

"When you're playing like this coach, you don't need to bring in any other players, right?

"Wrong. We're always on the lookout for talented youngsters and players who we think can come in and do a job here. Our scouts are currently out searching as we speak."

Question fielded to GM Lamarr Hunt:

"Mr Hunt - could you have perceived being in this position at the start of the season?"

"No, never, the coach has done a fantastic job. He gets the best out of the players and I don't think anyone could have imagined that with five games remaining, we'd be sitting top of the league. I'm really proud of our team."

[retired_mallory08]

LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT SEASON

With the end of the first season just few games away, the performance of the Metrostars this year is terrible. The are last in the league in standing, goal for and against. What do they have to do to turn things around next season?

Coach Lung still finding a tactical formation that will work in the US. He need to tie up the team's defense. His strikers need to provide so shooting touches. There is a lot that Lung has to do in the off-season. He definitely has to shake up his squad up and bring in some quality players to make the team better.

We will keep an eye on what will develop at Giant Stadium.

[retired_mallory08]

Breaking News!

It looks like Colorado's media ban is over. Rapids manager Greg B. will be holding a conferece later today.

It appears that the team's recent run has caused the ban to lift, but we will know more later today.

[retired_mallory08]

Dallas in Vicious Dogfight for Final Playoff Places

As the season winds down, Dallas finds themselves in a perilous fight for playoff survival. The sitiuation has become so dire, that frequent absentee manager Stu has confirmed that he will be leaving his seaside villa immediatley to resume the reins of the club until the closure of the season.

"Time was a manager could leave his squad for five to six weeks in the heart of the season and expect his assistant to do a reasonable job. I guess in the modern world of football there's no room for a laissez-faire attitude anymore."

Manager Stu went on to complain bitterly.

"The guy substituted Bobby Rhine for Mathis! For six weeks! Who the hell is Bobby Rhine? I'll tell you who he isn't, he bloody sure isn't Clint Mathis. I'm not paying Mathis a fortune to watch football, I'm paying him to play it. Mark my words, heads will roll."

Stu hoped his wouldn't be the first.

"He even cost me Chris Gbandi on a free transfer! Who lets a starter go on a free? Once I figure out which one of my two assistants I left in charge, they're gonna get canned straight off!"

The Dallas players were immediatley encouraged upon hearing the news of their cherished manager's return. As MLS Canadian superstar goalkeeper Pat Onstad put it,

"Who?"

[retired_mallory08]

Someone in Colorado spoke to us!

An attitude reminiscent of a time when Jesse Ventura was governor took over the Rapids media relations several months ago. The press was banned from all practices and post game discussions and players were told not to talk to the press. Just as the press was beginning to call for the ouster of the manager once again, things changed. Luckily for the manager Greg B they changed for the better.

The news come on the tail of a 4 game win streak and a 5 game unbeaten streak. The first question on everyone’s mind is: Is the sole reason for this the streak?

“No, not really… well ok mostly. The team has turn their fortunes around and I feel that we are in a much better position that we were over a month ago.”

What brought about the silence?

“A combination of things really. There was the poor performance and our rapidly decreasing performance in games. I was so frustrated at the team for keeping things close till the 75th min and then losing it in the final 15 minutes. There were 2 occasions where we were up by 2 with less than 15 to go and we lost one and tied the other. Heck we had a game where we were up by 1 with 1 minute to play and lost. Josh Wolff killed us that night. The real kicker was losing to Richmond in the Lamar Hunt Open Cup. No reason for that to happen no reason at all. “

What has made the club turn around?

“Well I finally took a long look at myself and the team. I decided that there were things that needed drastic change. The team was just falling apart at the end of games and after one of the last blown games we had, I was…well mad is the nicest way to put it. I put on quite a tirade. When I was done I just didn’t see anything from my players... they weren’t mad at me ort themselves, they weren’t fired up, they weren’t determined to do better. They just sat there totally exhausted. That is when I knew I was way off target in my training and tactics.

“On top of that, we traded away Pablo [Mastroeni] and Joe [Cannon]. We brought in Mark Bosnich and Eddie Pope. Very lucky to pull the deal off and it was helped by the fact SJ wanted to free up a SI slot on their roster. I hated to part with those guys, but I think maybe we are a little better for it.”

What are the changes?

“I hate to give away secrets and this will come back to haunt me, but mainly I clamped down on the creativity. I was telling them to work almost independently. Be as creative as you like. That just had some people passing when they should dribble. Dribble when they had an open shot, and take some wild long-range chances. On top of that we were just trying to do it all too fast. There were times when they looked liked they were doing 30 yard sprints back and forth, back and forth.”

Sounds strictly tactical

“No, there were some tweaks in training as well. Getting the defense to step up all game long was a big concern. I hope we have addressed this issue. On top of that I have found a few good coaches that are fitness based and can train outfielders, so I think things are going to be good for us this year, and next year we will be fighting for the best record in the MLS.”

How are your chances for the playoffs?

“Great. Just great. We turned it around in time to catch KC, and we are only a point behind Dallas while they have a game on us. LA seems untouchable right now, but I think we are ready for them even if we get the #4 seed out of the west.”

[retired_mallory08]

[retired_mallory08]

United to take on Chicago

Regular season has come to an end and D.C. United have qualified to the Eastern conference semi finals after finishing third in their conference. Their opponents Chicago finished second picking up three more points than United in during the regular season. United's bad patch in the middle of the season is not completely over as United still look uncomfortable often finding it difficult to close out matches.

They couldn't have wished for a better opponent however, as in the four beetings between these clubs this season, two matches ended in a draw and two matches were won by United. The goal tally for United is three while Chicago has managed to score only once. It is expected that Fire coach Johan Grommen will come up with a new twist to his long ball style for the semi final match and it is widely speculated how the United boss will repond. The matches between these two managers have always been defensively tight contests and we have no reason to believe the situation will be different when they face each other for two matches to decide who faces the winner of the Columbus and New England pairing in the other Eastern Conference Semi Final.

[retired_mallory08]

Playoff Conference Semi-finals Announced





#1 Columbus Crew #4 NE Revs


#2 Chicago Fire #3 DC United




#1 LA Galaxy #4 FC Dallas


#2 SJ Earthquakes #3 Colorado Rapids