RFKRefugees.com is welcoming some guest writers for the summer to help bring you all of the content you so desire. First up, friend of the show, Angus Long.
Say it with me everyone, Loudoun lost to Hartford again.
In what is now considered typical Loudoun fashion, United lost after maintaining the lion’s share of possession, shots, and chances created.
Loudoun started this game with a heavily rotated squad from the one that beat Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Seeing team leading goal scorer Jovanny Bolivar start on the bench, and Jeremy Garay (who just recently inked his first professional deal, officially signing as a homegrown for DC United on friday) left off the team sheet entirely. (Editors note: In press availability after the game, Coach Ryan Martin said most of the DCU loanees and Loudoun players would be featuring for United in their midweek friendly against Alajualense.)
The match started with a couple solid chances for the parent club’s 4th overall draft pick Kimarni Smith, who sent a shot in the second minute over the bar and quickly had a chance at redemption as Hartford goalkeeper Jefferson Caldwell and a Hartford defender were not able to connect on the ensuing goal kick. This type of pressure was the story of the first 20 minutes of the match for Loudoun, as every couple of minutes the boys in red would have a decent look at goal, the most spectacular being a Giovanni Montesdeoca (who signed this week) attempt from midfield in the sixth minute. As the half wore on, Hartford steadily grew into the game, seeing a bit more possession and looking goalwards. The same can be said for arguably Loudoun’s top performer on the night, Ted Ku-DiPietro. While the 19 year old’s night started slowly, once he was able to see more time on the ball, he was able to show why DC views him as an exciting prospect. Ku-DiPietro completed all five of the dribbles he attempted and put Loudoun into some dangerous attacking positions. His spark and creativity on offense was the main reason why it came as a shock to most that he was substituted at half time for Jovanny Bolivar.
The second half started similarly to the first, with Loudoun continuing to work at and push for that opening goal, however the game did seem to be opening up for both sides as Hartford also seemed to be making inroads into Loudoun’s defense. Loudoun fans believed that their break had finally come in the 56th minute, where after a heavy challenge in the box saw Hartford defender Younes Boudadi concede a penalty to United. The challenge upon a second look did seem as if Montesdeoca had made a little bit of a meal out of the challenge, however a lack of VAR at the USL Championship level meant that the penalty call could not be overturned. Nevertheless, Bolivar’s penalty attempt, which was hit towards the bottom left corner, was saved by Caldwell in what I, and the match commentators, can only describe as a “Ball Don’t Lie” moment. This saved penalty kick attempt would end up being the turning point in the match, as 6 minutes later, Hartford would open the scoring with Arthur Rodgers finishing off a cross from Conor McGlynn. Ten minutes later, substitute Preston Tabort Etaka would capitalize on a poor defensive pass between Loudon’s center backs to cleanly slot the ball away to make it 2-0.
Loudoun’s response after falling behind 2-0 was a valiant one, the team pressed up and was able to create chances, but were not able to finish any of them. Frustrations would continue to mount for Loudoun as corner kick after corner kick would go untouched through the 18 yard box. Tempers would officially boil over however, when after another hard challenge from Boudadi, Loudon veteran midfielder Michael Gamble, in his first appearance of 2021, would stand up for his teammate by doing his best Patrick Beverly impression (see This GIF) igniting a small skirmish between the sides and earning Gamble a red card for his actions.
All in all, this game was not the result I had hoped it would be. In truth, I hoped it would be the perfect chaser for the 7-1 thrashing that DC dealt Toronto on Saturday evening. While this game did not deliver on that, I was not severely disappointed. Loudoun plays well, they’re a talented bunch of young academy players, draft picks, and loanees all looking to make a big impression on the big club in an attempt to make DC United. But they’re lacking something to make them tick, that final piece that can turn a 2-0 loss into a 1-1 draw or even a 1-0 win. Maybe that’s experience? Maybe it’s just that this isn’t a USL Championship team and a move to the new MLS development league is just what the doctor ordered. Either way, this season seems to be a continuation to what has so far been a bleak and dreary start to Loudoun United’s existence, on the scoresheet at least.