DC United Reaction - The Monster in the Mirror

All right, let me make the standard disclaimer that I'm going by highlights and writeups, so I'm going to avoid doing any real "match analysis." Rather, I'll react to the result. And what a result for a bunch of kids with precious little experience! Of course, the 2-2 draw gives us just one point while the rest of the group sits on seven, so we're officially done unless we win both of our remaining games and Saprissa wins both of their's, right? Is goal difference or head-to-head the tiebreaker? I'll not bother researching it because it's simply not going to come down to that. Anyway, rather than the talking points, let's focus on one particular aspect of last night's match . . .

The reserves. The freakin' reserve team + Martinez (whose form of late has been suggesting reserve status) not only got two goals in Costa Rica, but managed to come from behind for a draw. Of course, some Wellsian fits of hand-flapping surrendered the win, but that only makes the comeback all the more impressive in my eyes. For a bunch of inexperienced kids to give up those two goals should have shattered them. But instead, they grab an equalizer. Which begs the question . . .

Why did Soehn run our starters into the ground in the first place? Now, admittedly, Saprissa were missing a few starters themselves, but for a starting lineup that consisted of one international veteran, a journeyman MLS backup, and a handful of guys with a bit of professional seasoning tossed on a bed of complete neophytes, that result looks almost unbelievable given MLS's sorry history in Central America. Which means that either the kids played out of their skins or maybe there's a few of them that can play the game with some degree of competence. So why haven't we seen more of them? Of course, there's also the possibility that all this yammering on about MLS sides not having the "experience" to handle trips to Central America is complete bunk, but I'll shy away from making that claim . . .

But while we're at it, let's address a sore point by bashing it repeatedly with a hammer. So . . . FO geniuses? You built a side for success in international competitions by loading up on veteran Latin talent. I'll grant you that a fair percentage of that talent has been banged up, but even when a significant number of them were present, they've done exactly squat when it comes to CONCACAF and SuperLiga. But then you clear the bench and send in the supposed clowns, and, hey presto, they do what those with the big billfolds cannot. Hmmm . . .

So the question I have for you, dear readers, is down below. Feel free to expound upon your answer or add your own conclusions in the comments.

poll by twiigs.com