The Nest Liner needs to catch up…..

Comings and Goings

Since the beginning of the World Cup, United has tinkered with it’s roster.  Some things are performance related, and sadly, one was health related.

Namoff: Two weeks ago, Bryan Namoff put his soccer career on hold.  The lingering effects of last year’s concussion don’t seem to be going anywhere, and rightly so, Bryan is looking at solving the problems so that he can continue to prosper in his life.  Over the years, Bryan’s been one of those ‘glue’ guys on the roster.  As a rookie midfielder under Thomas Rongen he looked to be the heir apparent to Ritchie Williams, but with the propensity to slot in a beautiful through ball behind the defense.  Though Ray Hudson thought that midfield wasn’t his ultimate role, and right back was.  Ever dutiful, Namoff went about re-inventing himself, including loan stints with the Richmond Kickers.  It lead to a legendary weekend where he played a game for Richmond and hauled up 95 to suit up and play for United late in the season.  Later as a regular right back, he earned praise from captain Ryan Nelsen that he was the best defender on the team on the road to MLS Cup 2004.

But aside from that, as a lot of Screaming Eagles know, Bryan is very approachable and friendly, amongst the best among all United players. And that’s really saying something, as the team has consistently (hair chested Bulgarians aside) had many players that fit this mold.

Absolutely, he’s been missed on the field.  But he’s also been missed at other functions, and surely he’ll be missed in the lockerroom.  Hopefully, it’s a temporary situation, but we know that head injuries are serious business (Nest Liner HQ is particular sensitive to this) and risking a quality person like Bryan Namoff for a few minutes of soccer is a ridiculous proposition.  Good luck to him in his recovery.

Others that are Outbound: United cut ties with two other players, Emilio and Castillo. Castillo was a victim of a couple of circumstances: First, MLS is a tougher league than most people think and he took some time adjusting to it.  Second, Andy Najar didn’t take much time at all to adjust to it.  Castillo became a victim of an MLS numbers game as you just can’t pay someone a high salary to ride the bench in MLS.

Second is Emilio.  He has a fantastic statistical record in his time in MLS, though his production over the past season and a half doesn’t measure up.  United signed him in a bit of desperation and with an open roster spot until the FIFA international transfer window opened up.  And he just didn’t fit into what United needs as a forward.

Coming in: Branko Boskovic, and Pablo Hernandez were brought in over the World Cup break.  Their signings were greeted with a collective ‘Who?’  Boskovic is from Montenegro (one of the countries that came out of the former Yugoslavia and didn’t exist the last time United won an MLS Cup), he’s played for Rapid Vienna (is there a Slow Vienna?, Meandering Vienna?).  Hernandez hails from Argentina and with United after a loan agreement with a Uraguayan club.  They’re not as high profile as other teams, but the goal is to be successful on the field, not to just sell jerseys.

On the Field

United took on the Galaxy at home (the Nest Liner was in transit against the Sounders, so there’s no input there).  Landon Donovan was there.  Some cheered.  Since we wasn’t wearing Black and Red, or Red, White and Blue.  There didn’t seem to be any reason.  Yeah, he finally lived up to expectations in South Africa.  But that was then, he just merely earned to not get ridiculed.  Not to be cheered and not to have a Mia Hamm/David Beckham-esque squealing cheer when he scored.  But something bigger happened in that game.  Something started to click in the second half.  United started to think and play quicker, this was most evident in Tino.

The next game was up at the ‘Plex against Harrisburg in the US Open Cup Quarterfinal.  This game was the first where Boskovic and Hernandez started.  It paid immediate dividends as Tino pounced on a defensive miscue and played the ball in the area (quickly) to Boskovic for his first goal in the opening minute of the game.  Once again the team got to playing the ball quickly and fluidly.  Danny Allsopp started to get into the swing of things and did everything but find the net on several opportunities.   But the 2-0 win against the lower division City Islanders was never in doubt as United out classed them.  Sure you’re thinking that United ought to outclass them, but historically, that’s not always the case.  But it’s satisfying that the only real drama was if the officials would make the Harrisburg keeper change his dark green jersey which made his uniform look very much like United.

Moving one more level down in play (sadly), United took on Portsmouth.

DC United 7/27/2010(photo: Matt Mathai)

To say it’s a team in disarray is a colossal understatement.  They only had a handful of players, and goofy travel schedule that meant that they’re uniforms were lost.  They donned a set of United road whites instead.  It’ll be one of those legendary nights, like the Houston torrential downpours, the uniform snafu against the MetroStars, and the various Bob Bradley ‘innovative’ coaching decisions.

While trouncing Portsmouth in oppressive weather (they wilted faster than you can say Kasali Yinka Casal) was no difficult feat, and an impossible measuring stick for the quality of play, it was pleasing to have a 4-0 win and to see a continuity of the good things that have been emerging on the field over the past couple of weeks.  Allsopp got himself on track by finding the net for a hat trick, and Hernandez opened his scoring account with United.

For the second friendly this year, the officials played a part in the game. This time is

Absolutely NOT DC United (photo: Matt Mathai)

suing three red cards (for seemingly not redcard worthy infractions) to players on the field, and to Ben Olsen at halftime, and seemingly to other players in the break.  As Portsmouth got embarrassed, the chippy play just got worse, and the officials couldn’t control it.  Though Carey Talley did his best to send some messages.

The Portsmouth highlight had to be the supporter’s section, including the famed John Portsmouth Football Club Westwood.  They were not legion in numbers but were true supporters in coming out to support their club despite the dire straits that they are in.  And at the conclusion of the match where they moved and joined in with United supporters was reminiscent of the ‘old days’ and was  a fitting end to a friendly, even though the friendliness on the field had evaporated.

Ahead:

United finds its way back into MLS action this weekend venturing out to the MLS party spot of Salt Lake City.  Where they’ll take on Nick Rimando, who just beat himself five hole this weekend.