Mar 30, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; D.C. United midfielder Pedro Santos (7) celebrates after a goal against CF Montreal during the second half at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Quick Hits
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The Good: DC United faced a unique challenge on Saturday against CF Montreal. Unlike most their previous opponents (sans Portland), Montreal want to sit back, absorb pressure and try to hit on the break. For a pressing team, this can pose some challenges. We have seen DC struggle to make the most of their chances and be clean in the final third. DC was going to dominate the chances, but if they let Montreal hang around, it is exactly the moment they will look for to steal a victory or a point. We very much witnessed this against Portland, where DC United found themselves down 2 goals before staging an improbable comeback.
Troy Lesesne faced these challenges by throwing a new wrinkle. He opted for a 4-3-3 which was surprising and a gamble. Taking the team out of their normal shape was a risk, but it was risk that seemed to work really well for DC. They pressured Montreal through most of the game and gave them very little in the form of clear cut chances. Ted Ku-Dipietro and Matuez Klich played as high pressing midfielders and disrupted plays early on. Their quick pressure nearly resulted in an early goal with Benteke had been quicker to get back onside. Defensively they mostly kept Josef Martinez at bay. Short of the Herrera goal line save, they never really had much in the attack. Christopher McVey and Lucas Bartlett continue to show an incredible level in the back and disrupted much of what Montreal tried to do.
For the first half, DC United had their chances, and it took some excellent saves from Jonathan Sirois to keep them off the board. Benteke’s far post header very nearly had enough to find the back the net, but Sirios did enough allow a trailing defender to clear it off the line. He also had a great opportunity off a corner kick in the second half that just rattled the post. Overall he continues to be a monster in the air, and the team is starting to do a better job reading his take downs from the air.
For DC United’s Aaron Herrera also faced some unique challenges and his goal line saved likely helped the team earn 3 points tonight. he was also excellent in neutralizing the right side of Montreal. The formational switch limited his effectiveness in the attack, but he still found his moments to generate chances.
And let’s not forget Pedro Santos’ rocket of a goal. Coming of a failed clearance he recognized the opportunity to power home the match winner. He also had some pretty effective defensive moments to break up play. Coming off the bench, he had a moment to secure the team’s second win.
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The Not So Good: Despite the great play in first half and numerous chances, things started to run dry in the second half, and DC United let their frustration get the best of them at times. They rushed moments that probably needed some breathing room. Several times from about minute 60 to minute 80 they tried to find the quick pass or quick move that was broken up easily and sent Montreal quickly the other way. Once DC calmed down and started being a bit more patient, they started to find chances, and it was that pressure that led to the game winning goal. DC won’t have many moments where the will be the better side coming up, but it will be imperative that they clean up the final third and put sustained pressure for 90 minutes. They still haven’t secured a multi-goal victory playing against 11 men.
Both wingers struggled today. Christian Dajome was a virtual non-factor on the left side, DC’s attacks almost exclusively came from the right side or left drifting Matuez Klich or Ted Ku-Dipietro. Late in the game, he mis-hit passes and just didn’t seem to have much connection. He will still get moments, but he needs to be cleaner in the final third. Jared Stroud also has been incredible delivering crosses right where he needs to and usually to Benteke, but today something was off. He either over hit the cross or put it right Montreal defender who broke the play up. Despite dominating chances few of them came from either of the team’s attacking wingers.
Also, while he wasn’t a complete disaster there were some very un-sharp moments from Matti Peltola. A couple of times he got caught in possession and was disposed at bad moments that nearly led to quick chances the other direction for Montreal. His forward passing is a step up from Russell Canouse, and I would like to see a bit more from him. He had moments where a quick pass opened up an opportunity, but too many times attacks died when he got the ball at top of the box.
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Turning Point: In 1-0 game, it is clearly the goal is the turning point. It was certainly a well struck ball by Pedro Santos and it was a deserved goal for DC. DC were the better side, and at the end of it all, it doesn’t matter how it happens. Playing against a bunkering side that you can’t score on early, you sometimes need a bit of magic and luck on your side to get the victory.
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Player Spotlight: Pedro Santos has been a minor controversial figure, and guy we maybe hoped would see the field less this year. He is 35, and is clearly not the same player he was when Columbus brought him in. I am sure when he was signed by DC United, the idea was he would be depth player. Yes he has defensive liabilities, but today he showed he still has plenty of magic and has an ability to place a cross. I would also argue his defensive liabilities are becoming more manageable each game. He had two key moments tonight where we broke up an attack on the left side and generated a quick counter. His skills on the offensive side almost make him indispensable unless Mohnanad Jeahze makes a return to the field. And tonight he gets the game winning goal to power DC to three points.
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Looking Ahead: DC United now get their toughest match of the season on the road against the Columbus Crew. Troy has showed some tactical chops over the past two games, and has used that to great effect. I am excited to see what he brings to the game against Columbus. Even without Cucho Hernandez, Columbus are the best team in the league, there is no question about that. This will be a tough test for the team and getting anything out of this game will be a massive victory. Still the team is confident and showing they are no pushover this year. Also they will get them during their Champions Cup match against Tigres. So there is reason to hopeful, Columbus could have head turned for the time being.
Final Thoughts: Good teams find ways to win. This is a horrible cliche, but it is something I always look for in DC United teams, and has been in short supply in recent years. This was close to a must win as any game so far this year. A draw or a loss could have dampened spirits quickly for fans and possibly the team. We have seen promising signs and I think we can start to say that DC United look to be a good team this year. Are the great or elite? No, but they have gone in week and week out, and stood up against tough opposition and been the better side in most contests. Here they controlled most of the game with no result until late. Teams of DC United past would have probably folded or given up a late goal. This team looks to made of sterner stuff and found a way to win the game. Very little else really matters if you can do that consistently. This is still a project, but it is project that is coming together fast. I have to say for now, I am excited to watch DC United against Columbus on Saturday. And that is not something I would have thought at the beginning on this year.