United 3, Toronto 2

OK, patient upgraded from grave to critical.

Having to come from behind is usually cause for worry, and while it still is, winning as United did last night might be far more catalytic than if they'd stomped 4-0, which would have proven nothing, as prior stompings of Toronto and Salt Lake showed.

Jaime scores on PK, grabs ball out of net, sloughs off congratulaters, sprints with ball back to mid-circle to get the tie game restarted. Emilio scores, runs toward Loud Side, pivots, sprints across field to hug Ben Olsen. You know, that's all I ask, an honest damn given.

This team may not be talented enough to win unless playing desperate, and desperate teams eventually burn out and crash, and until and unless United solve its goalkeeping problem (and subsequent and resultant defensive problems), United might not improve enough to eventually burn out and crash, but still: how sweet to watch a team fighting for its survival make the next game important.   

Here's Goff's player ratings:

Wells 3; Namoff 6, McTavish 5, Peralta 5, Martinez 6; Quaranta 6, Simms 5, Gallardo 6, Fred 6; Moreno 5, Emilio 6. Subs: Burch 5, Mediate 5.

• Zach Wells. Here, let a former goalkeeper on the powerhouse Gaithersblech High School teams of the mid-late 70s bust Wells' balls. Good thing United has a Peruvian midget keep on the bench. Use him.
• Namoff, despite his early misjudgment on Toronto's first goal, was vital in the offense, getting further forward more frequently than I can remember, finding space consistently on the right wing. He is the irreplaceable player.
• Two brilliant runs by Quaranta set up United's last two goals. He still brainfarts too much, and he botched two difficult but makable volleys, but his toggling from left side to right side with Fred and effectiveness on both sides was crucial. And he got his ass back on defense. 90 minutes, Tino, 90 minutes.
• Gallardo is special. Easily, clearly, by a profound degree, the best player on the field. If United plays up to Gallardo, if players make smart runs into forward and diagonal space and - especially - finish them, Gallardo will make them better.
• Good games from Moreno, Emilio, and especially Martinez, who is an excellent acquisition.

So, survival. This Thursday at Ningland, week from Wednesday at home v Houston. We'll know what we've got, good, bad, or mediocre.

More, updates, links, later. Or not.

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By the way, if you want to see me on TV, I'm two of the hands holding up the top of the shirt when it's fully unfurled. Way cool. And Fighting Talker has news of one of my former lovers, who still can draw the google hits to BLCKDGRD.