Metros 2, United 3

Quaranta/Pontius or Gomez/Moreno, three seconds: Choose.

I wasn't going to slam Soehn for bunkering (this guy can vouch that minutes after the game I said I wasn't going to slam Soehn for bunkering, which doesn't really prove anything, does it?). I don't think Soehn did bunker. I think he did prove not reinforcing Namoff-Jakovic-Burch on a mid-summer hot game (with spring-fit players) on a concrete field field against a zippy winger turning Wallace and Burch inside-out PLUS a once world-class striker, arguably the best striker in MLS, doesn't work either. Damned if you do, damned if you don't, comes with the territory.

United fucked up three can't-gack chances: Quaranta's crappy lob on a breakway in 26th, Wallace off a Conway botch (when Benny ran to a spot and screened Conway, hEh!) in first half stoppage, and Emilio vomiting a breakaway in 53rd. There was a game plan that sliced Metros defense open; it's not Tom Soehn's fault his players didn't finish.

(Um, fairness requires I mention Metro gacks, many courtesy of Crayton [some saved by Crayton], especially Goldthwaite's dead-header in 60th on (I think) either a FK or CK, Crayton flailing absurdly.)

Jacobson for Olsen was a necessary and equal switch - I do question Benny starting on concrete, I got harder questions about Benny starting the second half seeing how he came out. Barklage for Fred is a duh (Fred, when not interested, is a net-minus, yo). Khumalo for Wallace: smart move and fortunate shazam.

That first 60 minutes was as attractive United's looked offensively in a MLS game since... when? Last Wednesday's US Cup game v Dallas was attractive soccer. This is a bigger, faster, more athletic and skilled team than last year's. Last year's team wouldn't have had the physical reserves or soccer skills to steal two late goals when gassed on 90 degrees and 90 minutes of running on concrete. That's what's encouraging about the stolen three points. Pontius, Wallace, Jacobson, and Barklage are major upgrades over Vide and Thompson and Carroll and Zaher. (And I wonder whether Gomez and Moreno can keep up with them, I'm guessing this will be the last season for each, it will be interesting to see how Soehn juggles this.)

O! 89th minute, Telemundo shows video of new Metros stadium: Fuck-Me Jig.

Here's Goff's player-ratings:

Crayton 5; Namoff 6, Jakovic 5, Burch 5; Fred 5, Simms 5, Olsen 6, Pontius 7.5, Wallace 6; Quaranta 7.5, Emilio 7. Subs: Jacobson 5, Barklage 6, Khumalo 6.

Angel turned Jakovic inside-out, and both Wallace and Burch were clearly out-paced by Richards (though Wallace might have the physical skills - this could have been inexperience).

But Wallace on the left-wing is a revelation offensively - this is the widest United team since Josh Gros.

Quaranta - fully un-discommodated disdiscommodated, yes? - despite the gacked lob, was terrific at ten. I hope Gomez' hammy still benches him this Saturday.

Let me repeat myself: a disinterested Fred is a net-minus.

Crayton, oy.

Here's first impressions from D and Fullback and Shatz. More if and when, or not.