Casey, Cummings, and Counters, Oh My.

By: John | October 1st, 2010

This one could be ugly. Colorado are 8-4-1 at home, that lone loss came in May against Los Angeles, a Los Angeles team that started the season red hot. It doesn’t help that D.C. United’s history of playing Colorado isn’t exactly sparkling with success.

Here’s a good a trivia question while you are watching the game on Sunday. Who was the head coach of D.C. United the last time United earned a result at Colorado? I’m assuming Ray Hudson didn’t pop into many of your heads, but that’s the correct answer. In 2003 D.C. earned a 1-1 draw at Colorado, since that result D.C. have been outscored 12-3 in Colorado. Not feeling confident yet?

The mastermind behind D.C.’s last point in Colorado

Colorado are playing extremely well right now. In their last six matches the Rapids have scored a staggering 15 goals. To put that in perspective United have scored a paltry 18 in the entire season. Their two incidents of dropped points in those six came against New York at Red Bull Arena, and a very respectable 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake at the Rio Tinto, a place where not many MLS teams go and get a result. It’s even more impressive that they did it without Cummings, arguably MLS’ hottest player right now.

Omar Cummings is a player I rate very highly. He has great speed, is deadly on the counter with his underrated finishing ability and capability to use both feet. Cummings is tied for third in the MLS in goals with 12, and has been scoring(and assisting) for fun lately. D.C., with what will most likely be a makeshift back line due to James’ suspension and a growing list of injuries, will have quite the challenge to keep him, Casey, and the ever persistent Jamie Smith out of dangerous areas.

Colorado are extremely strong on the counter-attack. Casey is capable of holding up the play and allowing players like Smith and Cummings to get into dangerous positions. In particular Jamie Smith likes to cut in and force a reaction from defenders in the final third. It’s going to be of the utmost importance that D.C. does not carelessly give the ball away or they will be punished. This is not something they’ve proven they can do over the course of 90 minutes. King will most likely be given the task to break up Colorado’s attacks, and it will in all likelihood be a long, tough night ahead of him.

Now that we are feeling extra confident, I’ve got more for you.

With James suspended for accumulation of yellow cards, look for Simms and Jakovic to be paired in the middle. Unfortunately Simms latest 12 minute pairing with Jakovic conceded two goals to a more than grateful Landon Donovan. I think Simms is a smart player and can certainly fill in adequately at the back, but he’s clearly not a hundred percent healthy, and hasn’t seen a decent run of games since July.

Michael from Lost will need to put in a good performance.

But there are a few positives:

Despite D.C.’s loss D.C. have some positives to draw from the last two matches. During both games against Houston and Los Angeles, United was the better team for the majority of the game and just let themselves down with bad errors at the back.

United also have a chance to score in four straight MLS matches which would double their longest scoring streak of the season.

D.C.’s last win came against a Toronto team that had a ton to play for and BMO Field isn’t the easiest place to get a result. Sure the elevation and trip isn’t as much of a problem compared to Dick‘s, but not too many MLS teams get a result there(Only three teams this season, albeit all three have come in the last month and a half).

Plus it’s another chance to see Andy Najar in action. The rookie continues to put on a show, and continues to be the only positive thing most D.C. enthusiasts want to talk about. I was required by fandom law to again mention his name.

It’s hard to predict D.C. getting a good result on Sunday, but then again better D.C. teams(and I mean much better) have been unable to as well. Going into the match expecting the worst may just give United a result that we will be happy with. I know I’d personally be very impressed if D.C. earn a point. Will it happen? Probably not, but stranger things have happened, like Ljungberg actually scoring for Chicago recently. So let’s summon the ghost of Ray Hudson, bunker in, and get a point, eh?

As for the news and notes, Goff brings us more depressing but unsurprising news:

- We will have no central defenders for San Jose

- Rodney Wallace out for rest of season

What To Read:

Martin Shatzer at BlackandRedUnited.com keeps the morale high

Defenders aren’t the only thing Omar Cummings eats on game day

Tony Limarzi auditions for Reading Rainbow, or why Andy Najar should be the Rookie of the Year