Kitchen’s Big Weekend Spoiled By Red Bulls

Only a rival can turn a memorable performance into a nightmare. It seemed like everything was written for D.C. United midfielder Perry Kitchen to have statement match. With two goals and a U.S. Men’s National Team appearance possibly looming, it seemed like it would be his weekend. But the New York Red Bulls spoiled thing, scoring two goals late to pull out the draw at RFK Stadium.

While the loss will certainly sting, Kitchen’s performance in the match was nothing short of spectacular. Against the Red Bulls, Kitchen asserted himself more on the attacking front. His first goal in the 26th minute, a header off of a corner kick taken by United defender Taylor Kemp, helped set the tone of the match.

“He was great. Take the goals out of it and I still think it was his best night,” said D.C. United coach Ben Olsen after the match. “His composure on the ball and the way he moved around was much better. I was really pleased with his performance.”

With New York focusing on United’s wide players (midfielders Michael Farfan and Chris Rolfe) there was ample space left for Kitchen to move from a defensive midfield position into the role of an attacking midfielder.

Kitchen exploited this gap in the defense with his goal in the 68th minute. With Rolfe drawing the attention of the Red Bulls defense, Kitchen slotted himself at the top of the eighteen yard box and fired his shot past Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles.

“He’s very good. He’s an athletic guy and you saw how well he got up on the corner,” said United midfielder Davy Arnaud. “It was a very good header, and he found himself in a good spot for the second one so it was a good game for him.”

For most of his five-year career with United, Kitchen has been slotted in as a defensive midfielder. As a defender Kitchen has proven himself an expert in making precise tackles and clears. Moreover, he can control the pace of the match and give the United back four respite by measuring his passes to different targets on the pitch.

But his responsibilities have shifted over the past two years from mainly focusing on defensive responsibilities to becoming a valued part of the United attack. In 2014, Kitchen had career-bests in goals (5,) shots (11,) and shots on goal (8).

The shift in play seems to have paid off for Kitchen. In January he made his first-ever appearance with the U.S. Men’s National Team in a match against Panama. On Monday morning, it was once again announced that he would be joining Jurgen Klinsmann’s side in their friendly on Wednesday against Mexico.

There are trade-offs with his move forward. Kitchen is an aggressive defender who has no problem picking up the professional foul or yellow card. But with him becoming more of a center midfielder, he runs the risk of accumulating more fouls and yellow cards. In 2014 he also set personal marks for fouls (65) and yellow cards (11). In just five matches in 2015 he has already been whistled 8 times for foul play.

The other problem is that it leaves United a bit more open on the defense. Since he was operating more as a center midfielder on Saturday, he wasn’t as responsible for mop up duty on set pieces. While the first Red Bulls goal in the 69th minute, a header by defender Damien Perrinelle, was difficult to defend the second goal, a tap in off of a rebound by Loyd Sam, was avoidable.

What will be interesting to see is how United adapts to Kitchen’s move forward. With midfielder Markus Halsti still out with a hamstring issue, many of Kitchen’s former responsibilities will fall on Davy Arnaud. Although Arnaud certainly has the experience to fill those shows, he is 34.

D.C. United will host the Houston Dynamo on Saturday.