SuperLiga

No it’s not an MLS game.  It’s not an Open Cup, or CONCACAF game, it’s the SuperLiga.  Against a not so unfamiliar foe.  1-2 against Chivas.  We’ve been down this road before, despite the fact that Chivas ditched their weird right justified number scheme in favor of their new “Land of the Rising Goat” jersey.   But what can you do on a night when United hits the post, twice, gets a PK saved, and are facing a Chivas club with management sporting 1970′s era Wide World of Sports blazers?  Full credit to the Mexican side for choosing this moment at RFK to recognize one of the world’s finest sports broadcasters, though.

Atlante’s next on Tuesday, followed by Houston on Saturday.  SuperLiga offers some interesting matchups, and seemingly takes the place of United’s former marquee friendly matchups of years past.  Yeah, it’s a marketing tool, yeah, players don’t get enough of a cut of the prize money, but it’s hard to not feel the excitement of some of these games, and the crowd that Chivas brings is one of those.

Open Cup Sightings

United’s approach in the US Open Cup gives us the ability to see some reserve players in a more prominent role, and in turn, it gives these young players a stage in which to impress.

Pat Carroll, started both Open Cup games.  In the first against Rochester he played a wide defensive role, and was replaced by Mediate at the 78th minute.  It was a good first showing for Pat, and surprised quite a few people (fans, opponents, teammates) with the ability to throw the ball in long.  The SoccerPlex has a wide surface, but he was able to put the ball into a dangerous place reliably.  In fact, over the past several years, Pat’s throw ins can be considered more dangerous than a large percentage of United Corner kicks.  The second match saw Pat start on the right side of midfield, primarily due to the now numerous injuries.  He wasn’t as comfortable in that role, but you could see that he was mentally doing the right things in that position, maybe some more confidence will help the experience.  Overall, Pat made a case that he may be seeing an MLS field sooner rather than later.

Ryan Cordiero.  We’ve seen him in a wide role on the MLS level, but he had two Open Cup games that help show some versatility.  Both games saw him starting on the right side of midfield, but he also served quite a few times as a striker as United juggled formations.  He’s obviously showing something to the coaching staff during training because he’s increasingly making regular game day rosters, getting some MLS minutes, and some good Open Cup minutes.  He needs to increase his stamina to really get into league games, but he shows good promise.

Craig “Doug” Thompson.  Signed on June 30, first game on July 1, second on July 8, and a full 90 against Chivas on Saturday.  It’s fair to say that no other Colorado School of Mines alumus has had such an eventful week of soccer.  He’s the typical MLS winger, fast, industrious, goes in for 50/50 balls, etc…..pretty much the type of winger that United doesn’t draft in the SuperDraft. But in the spirit of if you can’t draft ‘em get off waivers, United got him from Houston for a late Suplemental Draft pick.  It seems like Houston and New England draft these types of players by the bushel, so it’s nice to see one in a black jersey.  Sure he’s rough around the edges, and baring injury to other players (MANY other players) he likely wouldn’t have seen the field against Chivas, but he wasn’t intimidated by them.  He tried taking on thier defenders 1v1, and he battled for the ball.  He also was quite surprised during the Fire match in Germantown when the “Thompson” cheer erupted during a stopage in play.