United in the Middle Third of the Campaign

By: Max J. | June 19th, 2007

My original plan to rewatch the Chicago game and post more commentary was scuttled by the lack of game torrent. Thanks, selectively lazy TV pirates. Now it’s Tuesday, practice has restarted, and it’s time to think ahead a little.

The next two games are simple, and have only one acceptable result: two wins. We need the six points now for two reasons:

United is almost, barely, teetering on the cusp of completely forgetting the 0-3-1 start. Impressive results of late, but only the Red Bull win was really outstanding; Chicago was not a slam dunk despite its relative ease, and it came against a depleted team. But there’s no doubt that United is back in some kind of groove, and what better way to cement it than by handing out a righteous ass-kicking to the bottom of the table? If they can show the ability to pummel teams that are ripe for it, it’s a major confidence boost and signal to the league that United is through with playing down to the RSLs of the world and dropping unnecessary points.
Everyone turn your readers to page two. After Colorado visits RFK, things get much uglier in the scheduling area. All three league games in July will be tough to brutal: away at Kansas City, away at Houston, hosting the current league leaders in Dallas, and then up to the Swamp for the Red Bull rematch (where I think we’ll do well to get a draw). Granted, none of these teams looks spectacular right now, but all the games have major table implications and all will be up for it. Especially with Cooper gone, a win over Dallas seems likely, but KC is tough and Houston isn’t a fun place to play away against a playoff team. Going into that stretch with 23 points is going to be vital if United wants a real shot at at a high seed or the Supporters’ Shield.

Some other stuff:

A quick recommendation for this site, which I think is the nicest MLS table around. I’d love to see some additions, maybe based on recent form or points per game, but check that one out for some aesthetically pleasing standings action.
DCenters has an interesting question about what the Soehn Administration at United will look like. I don’t agree with D’s take, but after only 10 games it’s likely that both us will be spectacularly wrong in the long term.
I’m going to have a really pretentious Hornby-esque post up at Pitch Invasion today or tomorrow that’s, in part, a small homage the Barra. I can’t promise it’ll be good, but it may be familar to some people who wander by here. (Yes, this is a shameless plug for Pitch Invasion.)