Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Union showed the value of well-orchestrated team play. For any system to work well, practice in it over time is essential. The Union displayed a fluidity born of familiarity through continuity. Simply, they were more often available for teammates’ passes and committed fewer errors.
DC United Coach Wayne Rooney has had to adjust to a constantly changing roster ever since arriving to take the team’s helm. His players came into this year’s preseason physically fit but took a while into the season to become game fit, comfortable with one another and Rooney’s system.
The coach soon implemented a 5-defender system which had great effect in limiting opponents’ goal scoring but lacked some firepower. Channeling attacks into central coverage was enough to take the team to near a .500 record with generally low scoring games, enough to secure a playoff slot.
Then came a break in the schedule, the loss of three key players, and a change in system. Any such change is subject to the vagaries of player comfort, and it can be expected that new players coming in would also need to find that comfort zone. Strong defender Viktor Palsson, creative midfielder Lewis O’Brien, and wily attacker Taxi Fountas departed.
They were replaced by midfield creator Gabriel Pirani, attacker Jose Fajardo, and defender Eric Davis, the latter two from the Panamanian National Team. Changes in critical players combined with system changes meant that mistakes were far more likely while players were adjusting.
Coach Rooney summed up the result, “I think we made a few mistakes and got punished for it.” The change was not without justification, “Performance wise, except for the goals I thought was good.” Aware that some close games might benefit, he changed shape because, “We need to score goals. I took a back out and put in a number 10 (Pirani). – – – I thought at times we created a lot of very good chances.”
In fact, both teams could well have scored more except for poor finishing or great saves. This could have been a 5-3 as easily as the 3-1 result. He noted that’ “We could have scored 4 or 5 goals today. – – – The mistakes we made cost us.” Clearly, Rooney was willing to risk giving up more goals to score more while the team adapts to each other, “If we get the goals like we could today then no problem with the matches.”
Asked about the tendency to leave more room for a wide attack when using a 4-back system, Rooney agreed, “You’re always leaving a weak side.” He also added that Philadelphia still chose often to play over the top, but DC’s defenders made critical errors often by failing to follow runners which is characteristic of unfamiliarity with teammates.
DC Captain Steve Birnbaum pointed out that United still maintained good possession but alluded to, “Silly mistakes” and the “need to button up in the back.” Russell Canouse agreed, “When you have the mistakes we had, then you’re not going to be able to win games. – – – We need to clean up those little moments.”
Holding out hope, Rooney has faith in his system and urges that, “We have to stay calm, not panic. We still have 8 games left.” Of those, 4 of the next 5 are at home with 1 more against NYFC to end the season on 7 October. This Saturday’s game at Audi Filed against the Chicago Fire will provide a solid clue to whether United can save their season.
