Two goals.  A clean sheet. A win.

So what if it was against an expansion team?  A win boosts confidence.

Hazards of the wall. (Photo: Kim Kolb)

The way DC United played in the first 25 minutes really wasn’t all that different than in the previous couple of games.  The difference?  They actually scored within those 25 minutes.

Andy Najar took the ball down the right side of the field and did what you’re supposed to do: put the ball into a dangerous place.  Union defender Danny Califf stumbled in trying to clear and effectively set up Danny Allsopp.  This time the opposing goalkeeper didn’t get a lucky finger on the shot, no freak gust of wind pushed the ball wide.  Allsopp just found the net.  Minutes later we were drenched with rain as God wept great big tears of joy.  United had scored, and scored in the run of play.

In recent games, that shot finds a way to not go in the net, United over-tries to score, the opposition takes advantage of the over-eagerness and scores….resulting in United slumping their shoulders as they resign themselves to their fate.

The Allsopp goal though totally reversed the pattern.  In United, you could see the relief in the players in scoring (that is unless the giant jersey was over your head, in which case you just saw a giant United jersey),  though they seemed confused in how to deal with a lead.  United could continue on while Philadelphia

Tino in the rain (photo: Kim Kolb)

needed to start to try and get back into the game.  And in the second half, United capitalized on Philadelphia just in the way that United had been put down in games past.  United won the ball in midfield and sprung Najar into space down the right flank.  Najar sent in a low cross that Hernandez smartly dummied, taking defenders with him, leaving Allsopp alone at the top of the area for a clear shot at his second goal.

The team still has some work to start to really click, but in a season of trials, it’s a good step forward.

Big test is the next ten days: Away against Chivas in LA, Home against Columbus on Wednesday night in the USOC Semi-Final, and Home Saturday against Columbus (again) for an MLS game.

You call that an insult?

Oh, the Sons of Ben were there.  Did you notice?  They sang such pointed tunes like “RFK is Falling Down.”  The mental response to that? “Duh”  Nice to see a young group rally so many out to a road game.  A good portion of the SoB core are former Screaming Eagles/United fans and good folks, they’ve done a good job in working through some growing pains with the Union.  At least they brought a sizable group not like the 17 Columbus fans that bring the ‘Massive’ banner.