Colorado 2, DCU 1

* **

I am going to wake up on a Wednesday morning in mid-August and United will be on a run that's already snagged them Super Liga, has them ahead in Supporters, in the semis of US Cup, and in form and preparing for the playoffs, and I won't for a micro-second think about yesterday's 2-1 loss in Colorado.

All the intangibles but one were in Colorado's favor, and that one - United's advantage of having played meaningful games - because United hadn't been home in two weeks worked against United. In the scheme of things, Colorado had greater motivation - new stadium and all - and played with greater impetus. A cold slap in the face for United? I hope it felt like it on the plane ride home, but hope - and think - two months from now this will be remembered as a blip with many asterisks of mitigating circumstances.

I give Soehn credit: in a relatively meaningless game for DCU, compared to the Chivas game, and compared to how meaningful the game was for Colorado, Deroux and Moose and then Fred and Casal? I think that's smart.

In my assumption that United will deliver me the moon sun and stars this year I lose sight of just how dramatically this team has been reconstructed from last year's, just how much time and work it will take to integrate the new parts and create a cohesive and comprehensive identity and flow. Why not, in a game at the end of a two week road trip, in an opponent's first game in a new stadium (and so-so new kits), in weather that must have felt like zero after the 80s of Guadalajara, give valuable minutes to newbies and quasi-newbies? When that mid-August Wednesday morning comes around it will be a fully interactive and interchangeable and fresh and deep squad that will have United in pursuit of silver. That will require tinkering and testing combinations now.

If United comes out this coming Saturday and spews on its shoes versus Kansas City, especially the defense, I guarantee my worry-chirping escalates to full barking. There is something potentially direly wrong with the defense (Boswell had a bad game) and with Perkins (he was out of position on both goals) that needs to be fixed immediately before the next game. And United needs to find a way to relieve the doubling-down on Gomez and Emilio, find a midfielder to get the ball to the triangle, find a midfielder who can give United width.

And Colorado game-planned like everyone in MLS will game-plan United until United shows it can beat it.

*

I'm going to have to make a life decision: I need to either devote all my energies, sacrifice other passions, risk my job, my health, and my family to lead the righteous fight to remove Dave The Worse Soccer Announcer in the World O'Brien from soccer fans' eardrums forever or..... turn the goddamn volume down as soon as I hear Mr Fatuous Goodpipes is doing the game. Hmmm.

*

Update (of sorts): front page Metro section story in today's Post about Poplar Point. Not much specifically about new stadium, but noteworthy as background when nimby opposition starts in earnest.