United 2, Chivas 1 (first leg)

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Even if I had the time to write down everything that needs to be said about last night's odd and wonderful win I haven't had enough time to think about everything that needs to be said about last night's odd and wonderful win.

United was fortunate to win, and would have been fortunate to win even at full strength the entire game. People who wonder where MLS as a whole ranks against other leagues around the world got a good demonstration last night of where MLS currently rates. Chivas, a mid-table Mexican team, was bigger, stronger, more dexterous and heads-up, and was demonstrably quicker and faster than the most skilled team in MLS.

The only position where United was superior was goalie, and Troy Perkins, who recovered from a terrible touch early in the game, dropping a ball aimed right at his chest that many Chivas players should have buried, saved United. After the game the stats on the scoreboard said Chivas outshot United 20-5, and it seemed like more. If you throw in all the crosses Perkins punched away before shots could be headed, that's at least 25 in box threats.

Chivas ran at Namoff, ran at Burch, and when the defense stretched wide in response, Chivas one-twoed down the middle. Namoff and McTavish and Vanney and Burch were spinning even while retreating.  Toronto should look like slow motion this Saturday night (provided United gets their collective legs - and in Namoff's case, injury - back), and when they go to Guadalajara next week they'll not be as shocked/surprised by Chivas' team speed, though it likely won't matter.

(Burch's yellows - there was confusion in 232: no one saw the first card issued, no one heard an announcement on the PA, so when the yellow/red came it was WTF? The quotes from Soehn indicate he was not that indignant at the calls.)

Olsen and Simms, beyond the goals, were the saviors. Moreno, feh, Emilio, feh, Fred, OK, Gomez OK, but without the gutty hustle of both Olsen and Simms United loses this game 0-3. Simms' passing in tight space, especially against a team fast enough to get to predictable lanes, lacks, but he got to lanes Chivas wanted to use, and when Chivas attacks in the middle just above the box were disrupted, Simms was doing the disrupting.

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Olsen is the heart and engine of this team. He should be captain. (He should also, by now, when to stfu w/referees, like that's going to happen.)

Bullets:

• Terrific terrific atmosphere. Lots. Of. Fun.
• Lots of class, sportsmanship-wise, between the teams.
• Moreno usually kicks whatever he has in reserve in these games, and it looked like he tried tonight but had nothing. United will need in the off-season to seriously consider the future of withdrawn. I'm not saying ditch Moreno, but he's only going to dwindle from this point on. He's 87 in soccer years now.
• And I wonder if chemistry will ever truly develop between Gomez and Fred, both in the short term of this year and whether they'll get a chance next year. I don't like to consider the prospect, but more and more I think we're seeing the last games of Gomez in a United kit.
• OH! Because of FIFA rules, players couldn't wear numbers higher than 25. Namoff in Erpfu's five and Bobby Boswell in STOKES! number two. Don't think the latter went unsnickered.

More later probably, updates absolutely. There's much to consider.

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UPDATE: DCenters debriefing.

UPDATE: Landru on his brush w/celebrity.

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And, in the small world that's all about me news:

Two years ago I buy this guy a United shirt for his birthday and have his name (and age) impressed on the back. He wore it to the game last night, and while he's out on the concourse feeding his lung cancer this famous blogger recognizes the name on the shirt and introduces himself, and at halftime I got to meet one of the proprietors of DCU's preeminent and best blog. Excellent.

But wait, there's more: turns out that through confidences I will not violate, the meeting inserted into my head a XXXXX song that Steve Hillage covered (after he had left Planet Gong), which in turn, since it was running on loop as I was falling asleep, evoked images and remembrances of epods long ago. Dr Om and Elric 7 and McKenzee Bee oh my. That I survived to see 30 is still a mystery.