United Cruises To Victory Over Real Salt Lake, 4-1

For more on the United's victory check out our coverage on OffWing Photo.

MLS Cup: New England Revolution v. Houston Dynamo (First Half)

Twellman scores an early goal for New England:

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Also be sure to check out more pictures from tonight's game on our flickr page and also our Photoshelter account

Even the ref got caught up in New England's celebration:

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Placido Domingo opened the game singing the National Anthem:

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Jimmy Eat World entertained the crowds at halftime:

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

D.C. United Vs The Chicago Fire - Game 2

DC United with 4 Championships in 12 years is arguably Washington’s most successful franchise. With that moniker comes the responsibility to not post the best record in the league then lose to the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference.

The problem arises when the 8th seed is the Chicago Fire. They bring with them a shutout streak of 336 minutes and an 11-0 goal differential in 6 playoff matches against United.

DC has a very simple task. Win. A one goal margin of victory will lead to extra time and penalty kicks, a two goal margin gives them the series.

United is pressuring early and being rewarded with free kicks and corners. High kicks, high elbows, and fore arm shivers seem to be on the menu tonight from the Chicago defenders. United is having trouble connecting the final passes to their forwards tonight. That will make it difficult to beat the wall of white shirts that are defending the 1 goal lead.

Goal Chicago - Chad Barrett 31st minute

Goal Chicago - Chris Rolfe 33rd minute

Both goals were well taken and generated from crisp passing on the counter attack.

United’s magic number has just become 3. 3 goals to force the game into overtime and they have less than an hour to achieve it.

41st Dyachenko in for Burch

Soehn is going to have to pull out the motivational halftime speech. I would show them a highlight package from Liverpool’s 2005 Champion’s League comeback over AC Milan in Istanbul. While difficult, 3 goals in a half are not impossible.

Goals by Clyde Simms (69th minute) and Christian Gomez (74th minute) created hope and in stoppage time the 19,000 at RFK erupted when Gomez put in a third goal. The referee called a hand ball on Gomez and the goal is disallowed.

United made the game exciting in the second half but it proves to be too little to late. The 1-0 win in Chicago was the difference in the series and United will have to watch someone else win the MLS Cup on their home pitch.

So what is the advantage of having the best record in the league? You get a spot in CONCACAF Champions Cup which is nice. A home and home series barely equates any noticeable advantage. If you have to go into overtime the home team is already on the ropes as the higher seed.

The MLS could distinguish themselves in the American sports landscape. A single table where the best record actually wins the league would make every game a meaningful one.

Americans need the playoff structure some would say. A plucky Portland Timbers team upsetting last year’s league winners wouldn’t be exciting? Promote the underdog angle with the U.S. Open Cup. Create an MLS League cup where your position in the league the previous year determines your seedings for the league cup.

There could be an East and West elimination brackets where the winners of each side meet in the US Cup final. Elimination Cup games would provide playoff atmosphere during the regular season. Have the first match of the year be for charity and have the Cup winners and the League winners square off. The best part is you have examples from around the world that already proves it works.

With the loss tonight United will have to take solace in the Supporters Shield, however the supporters will not take any solace in the loss.

ESPN Gets It Wrong Again

It's hard to understand just how ESPN can be so tone deaf when it comes to showing nothing but disrespect for its viewers. For the past few minutes, I've been watching an MLS playoff match between D.C. United and the Chicago Fire on ESPN 2. A moment or two ago, ESPN decided to break into live match coverage for an absolutely unnecessary SportsCenter 30 at 30 Update.

During this update, Michelle Bonner did nothing but pass along news items that could have easily been handled on the crawl at the bottom of the screen, but that didn't stop the network from shrinking the action while letting a live shot of Bonner in the studio predominate.

Why bother? Because ESPN couldn't possibly let you forget that SportsCenter was coming on at the conclusion of college football on the mother ship. You know, the highlight show that's more important than actual live sports coverage.

DC United vs. Columbus Crew 10/20

Tonight on a warm evening for late October we have the final regular season game of the season for both DC United and Columbus. Columbus is coming off of an impressive win at New England last week 3-2 in Foxboro. Unfortunately for the Columbus Crew, they will be going in a different direction as they had their slim playoff hopes shattered as a result of the Fire’s point against United last week. United, having already clinched the Eastern Division is in sit and wait mode for who their next opponent will be. There might be some scoreboard watching done by the crowd in order to find out whom what might be. United has some extra incentive for a point tonight as they would equal the longest undefeated streak in team history.

DC United clinched the Supporter’s Shield last week making them the first team in MLS history to have won this award in consecutive years. Due to the fact that the MLS Cup is being played at RFK stadium, United now has the unique opportunity of playing three of four home playoff games, including the final.

Due to the reunion game of the 1997 DC United Championship team, the crowd is already in prime form for tonight’s match.

7:18 – Barra Brava is already in fine form as I can tell that they are announcing something, but I haven’t a clue what they are saying on the PA system.

7:30 – DC United is presented the Supporter’s Shield trophy.

7:35 – Kickoff – Columbus

00:03 - From a free kick around 35 yards out, the cross from Christian Gomez drops in for two good opportunities. The second was a laser from the 18 by Burch that blasted just inches over the bar.

00:07 – So far both teams look a little sloppy at the start here. I would think Columbus would have it easier to hit passes with those bright yellow uniforms.

00:09 – Cross from Fred on the left hash just headed away from Moreno just inside the 18.

00:10 – Hard collision leaves Jaime Moreno on the sidelines to get some treatment. DC playing with 10 men currently

00:12 – Moreno is subbed out for Guy-Roland Kpene. Short night for Moreno but with the playoffs coming up as it probably is better not to chance it as he is reportedly out with a mild ankle sprain.

00:13 –DC gets the first corner kick of the night for either team. Cross isn’t there as Emilio heads it harmlessly wide.

00:18 - Namoff is booked with a yellow for a late challenge. Close call there but you could make the argument for it.

00:21 - Schelotto passes it down the right flank and Robbie Rogers is in past the defense. Perkins came out but couldn’t get to it as Rogers slides it by Perkins into the yawning net. Columbus 1-0

00:24 - Shot from just outside the 18 from Kpene but Hesmer swallows it up.

00:25 – Rogers is in again past the defense but this time tries to set up Schelotto right inside the 18. Too bad the entire DC defense saw that and Schelotto was holding his head in disgust.

00:26 – Kpene to Emilio, diving save by Hesmer. Emilio gets it back and puts a cross back to Kpene which is just headed away. Best sequence so far by DC.

00:29 - Gomez into Emilio and he is taken down by Hendrickson in the box hard. Corner kick! The crowd would tell you that that wasn’t exactly the call they were looking for however.

00:32 – Columbus has been picking it up here and earns their first corner kick of the night. While the crowd is still raucous, momentum is moving. Two chances! First is stopped point blank by Perkins while the rocket from Rogers is stopped by a sprawling Namoff. Good thing the defender stayed at home past Perkins. Second corner went for little consequence.

00:35 - Falling volley/bicycle kick by Gomez just inside the 18. Too bad it followed the usefulness of most bicycles and just rolled harmlessly to Hesmer

00:37 – A cross to a running free Tim Ward and Perkins makes a good punch save.

00:38 – Header by Emilio hits the outstretched arm of Hesmer and glances off the crossbar. Great effort by Hesmer there as he just got enough of that one to hold it out.

00:40 – Smoke now coming from the Barra Brava section. Perhaps they should have thought about that a few minutes ago as it is blowing towards Hesmer and might get there in say 10 minutes but might have helped distract him

00:43 – Long set piece from Schelotto headed toward Perkins and he makes a good diving save.

Halftime – Columbus 1, DC United 0
While both teams were a little sloppy in the first half but Columbus got the momentum with the goal. DC might need to make some adjustments in the second half to get the momentum back on their side.
Stat from the Half:
DC is out shooting Columbus 6-5
Halftime substitution – Ben Olsen enters the game, making his 200th appearance in an MLS game. Domenic Mediate is done for the night.

00:46 – Kickoff DC

00:47 – Gaven slides one over to an open Rogers but it is just past the mark and Perkins swallows it up. One thing I might have said at half was to guard Rogers as he seems to have been running circles around the DC defense so far.

00:50 – DC Substitution: Simms in for Emilio. Apparently Emilio has a mild ankle sprain as well. Perhaps he can great a group rate on treatments with Moreno.

00:50 - Two shots and Perkins saves them both. First save on Rogers, second on Alejandro Moreno as Perkins was sprawled on the ground. The header flutters over the net on a third opportunity.

00:53 – Gomez from the left flank, tipped by Olsen and a point blank save by Hesmer, his best of the night. Olsen headed the ball from his rear on the turf but to no consequence. While Olsen didn’t convert that opportunity you are sensing he is close.

00:55 – Good shot from Gaven from the left 18 just headed high for another Columbus corner

00:57 – Schelotto trips Olsen in the DC Defensive end. While he disagreed with the call, the referee reminded him who is calling the match. The crowd was very quick to get all over Schelotto but when you slam the ball into the ground, you kind of deserve the treatment.

00:61 - Kpene blasts a shot from 10 yards out and a great right arm reaction save by Hesmer.

00:62 – Hard foul on Perkins by Rogers. Then Rogers and Perkins look like they are going to brawl. Crowd really is getting on Rogers now.

00:62 – Great diving save to Perkins left on a blast by Gavin. Remember that one as that easily could have put the game in jeopardy for United even with half an hour to play.

00:66 – Schelotto from just inside the 18 on the left to a wide open Alejandro Moreno on the right and blasts the volley right past Perkins. There are a lot of people that would have taken that floating volley and launched it 30 rows into the bleachers, that’s why he is a professional. 2-0 Columbus

00:74 – Namoff makes a good right on the right flank and the ball just is a little high for Kpene as Hesmer secures it.

00:75 – Kpene and O’Rourke slam into each other. While both men lay on the turf, both would have gotten a 10 count. Columbus takes Peterson out for Junge.

00:76 – Hesmer leisurely kicks the ball downfield. Olsen controls and just misses the chip wide right from the Center Stripe. That must have been a really bad feeling that Hesmer had as he was running back to the goal. As a goalie you really hate to see a shutout end on a chip over your head.

00:81 – Hard foul by Burch on Schelotto. Burch argues the call and gets himself on the score sheet; too bad for Burch that it was for a caution.

00:84 – Perkins is about halfway between the end and center lines and blasts the ball to Hesmer. Hey if you want to get on the score sheet in a different way that normal that was one way to do it.

00:87 – Great individual effort by Kpene to get thru the four defenders and get just inside the 18, but the ball just was too far away to strike and was carefully knocked out of bounce for a throw-in.

00:89 Christian Gomez is in all alone on the left flank and chips it over the helpless Hesmer and it’s in the net! Goal DC. Still a few minutes of extra time to get this tied! 2-1 Columbus. Assists to Fred and Olsen

00:91 Rogers gets alone again on the right flank and slides it past Perkins just inside the right post. 3-1 Columbus.

00:92 Henrickson tries to clear the ball away from harm and knocks it into the hands of another defender. Penalty Shot. Gomez converts. 3-2 Columbus

The game is final. What an exhilarating last five minutes as three goals were scored by both teams, but Columbus saves a little pride for their season in closing out United with a final score of Columbus 3, DC United 2.

Christian Gomez is tonight’s man of the match.

Quotes from the Coach Soehn
“We came out flat; this is a great lesson for us.”

“We got to do the little things to win, just not show up. It knocked us back to reality”

United Fall to Crew 3-2

The United earned one more point in a 90th minute penalty shot.

Photos by Kate McGovern.

United v. Crew 1st half photos

Photo by Kate McGovern.

United Photos

Here are some shots from tonights game...check out the recap below.

Photo by Kate McGovern.

Photos by Kate McGovern.

DC United Explodes For 4 Goals, Beating Toronto FC, 4-1

For the first 40 minutes of play there wasn't much to cheer about as Toronto FC led 1-0. That all changed after Marc Burch #4 scored his first major league goal to tie the game. The others that scored were Fred, Jaime Moreno, Luciano Emilio. The win keeps the United four points ahead in their play-off chase.

For Emilio it was his 20th goal, tops in the league for the season.

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 29: Fred #7 of the Washington DC United celebrates following a goal against Toronto FC at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC September 29, 2007. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

See more photos from the game by visiting our Photoshelter gallery.

Also stop by our new sister website OffWing Photo where we focus on photography, especially sports photography.

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 29: Jamie Moreno #99 of the Washington DC United scores a goal against Kenny Stamatopoulos #39 of the Toronto FC at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC September 29, 2007. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

United Overpower Mexico's CD Guadalajara

D.C. United beat CD Guadalajara (Chivas) 2-1 tonight in the first leg of a Copa Sudamericana round of 16 series. The return leg will take place next week in Mexico.

The two United goals came from Ben Olsen and Clyde Simms. Olsen scored in the first half, and Simms scored soon after the start of the second.

Midfielder Devon McTavish and a Guadalajara player collide in mid-air.

This DC goal caught a few Chivas defenders off-guard.

Photos by Kate McGovern

More after the jump.

Midfielder Stephen deRoux watches from the end line.

Midfielder Christian Gomez goes head-to-head with a Guadalajara player.

Photos by Kate McGovern.

DC United v. Real Salt Lake (First Half)

Photo by EB Imagery

More after the jump

Also be sure to check out more pictures from tonight's game on our flickr page and also our Photoshelter account

Photo by EB Imagery

Photo by EB Imagery

Photo by EB Imagery

Remember Sunday?

Do you remember where you were two days ago?

I do and I have the pictures to prove it. Sunday I had the opportunity to see the DC United come out strong against the New England Revolution, winning it 4-2.

Here is Emilio following his tying goal after United was down 2-1 early in the second half.

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 9: Luciano Emilio #11 of the Washington DC United celebrates following his goal against Matt Reis #1 of the New England Revolution at RFK Stadium in Washginton, DC September 9, 2007. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 9: Marc Burch #4 of the Washington DC United heads the ball during a soccer game with the New England Revolution at RFK Stadium in Washginton, DC September 9, 2007. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

There are more photos from where these came from (total of 14), see more photos from the game and other events OffWing has covered by visiting our online gallery.

DC United v. LA Galaxy

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

More Photos After the Jump

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

At RFK For The Beckham Game

I've been down here at RFK since about 4:00 p.m. For the most part, I'll be filing over at FanHouse. Click here for an interview with a family that flew all the way from Manchester just to see David Beckham, and here for a snap I took before kickoff.

The word now, through Steven Goff of the Washington Post, is that Beckham may play in the second half. Stay tuned.

In a pre-game ceremony, United honored Galaxy player and U.S. Men's National Team veteran Cobi Jones. In response, the United supporters groups, Barra Brava and Screaming Eagles, unfurled a banner that read, "Good Riddance". Ouch.

UPDATE: D.C. United takes a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute on a rocket from Luciano Emilio that LA keeper Joe Cannon couldn't stop even though he got both hands on the ball. Marc Burch, who has played brilliantly for United of late, got the assist.

As Aaron Stollar of the Screaming Eagles said, this is "a United crowd, not a Beckham crowd." DC is a great Soccer town, and I'm glad the world is getting a chance to see that right now.

UPDATE: Beckham is on the sideline and warming up with about six minutes to go in the half.

UPDATE: He's warming up again, but the rain is coming down pretty hard.

One thing I haven't passed on: The atmosphere in the stadium tonight has been electric. I've had as much fun tonight as I did at MLS Cup '97 or '99 or even the 2004 Eastern Conference Final. Even the jaded folks in the press box are giddy with anticipation, hoping to see Beckham play.

And the rain is coming down in sheets now.

UPDATE: Kyle Martino is out with a red card. And all we care about right now is how this affects the decision on whether or not to play Beckham.

This is nuts.

UPDATE: And the man arrives in the 70th minute. RFK is nothing but a sea of flashbulbs right now. 4 minutes later and people are still snapping photos.

Next to me, Stollar points out one of the high points of the night: Seeing Beckham yell at one of his defenders to mark Josh Gros.

Beckham launches a kick from midfield into the box that United keeper Troy Perkins fields easily. The crows roars as he touches the ball.

UPDATE: Meanwhile, there's an actual match going on, one that United is pretty much in control of. Again, however, the finishing touch is eluding United.

UPDATE: Tonight's attendance: 46,686. And they all have flash cameras. Troy Perkins may have just made the play of the night, with a diving stop that sent Landon Donovan tumbling to the turf.

FINAL UPDATE: Now that was quite an evening. Click here for a look at Beckham's post-match press conference. More thoughts and more video, tomorrow.

Photo by Eric McErlain

Beckham May Play Tomorrow In DC

At least that's what he told Joseph White of the AP.

Either way, I'll be at RFK tomorrow and provide a first hand report.

Frustration Mounts for United After Superliga Draw

Thanks to a packed Summer travel schedule, a number of other personal commitments, an extended road trip and the All-Star break, it had been almost a month since I'd been out to RFK to watch D.C. United.

Since my last trip to the stadium, the team had shipped struggling defender Facundo Erpen to Colorado in exchange for Greg Vanney in an attempt to bring some stability to the back line, and gone 1-3-1 in the interim. That stretch included a shocking 1-0 loss to Harrisburg City in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup, as well as a 3-3 draw at home against FC Dallas in which United couldn't hold on for a win after taking a 3-0 lead.

For most of last night's game, it seemed as if United's recent struggles were coming to an end as they thoroughly dominated Monarcas Morelia in both teams' opening match of the Superliga, a new challenge series pitting the top team in MLS against their counterparts from Mexico.

In the first half at least, United sliced through the Monarcas defense with ease, taking a 1-0 lead on a Christian Gomez free kick in just the seventh minute. United should have very well gone into the break up a second goal in the 34th minute when a Rod Dyachenko pass found Luciano Emilio alone in the box with an open net, but the ball hit a seam in the RFK infield grass, took a bad hop before caroming off Emilio's shin and over the crossbar.

That missed opportunity, like so many others this season, would later come back to haunt the team as Monarcas, forced into some chippy play that led to Luis Angel Landin being ejected just ten minutes into the second half, hung on long enough to tie the score in the 79th minute.

It was then that Diego Martinez collected a cross from Adrian Aldrete at the top right corner of the penalty area and struck a wicked volley past United keeper Troy Perkins and into the far corner of the net.

Though United had a number of chances the rest of the way, they failed to convert. After the game, head coach Tommy Soehn was clearly disappointed that the team had let another victory get away on their home field:

Next up for United: A Sunday night Superliga match against Club America, where a win at home is pretty much a must if the team wants to move on to the tournament's semifinals.

DC United v. Monaracas Morelia

Photos from the DC United v. Monaracas Morelia match.

Christian Gomez scores to put DC United up early in the first half:

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard
More Photos after the jump

Also be sure to check out more pictures from tonight's game on our flickr page and also our Photoshelter account

It was a rough game:

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

With several yellows and one red sending off Luis Landin:

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

DC United Blow 3-0 Lead

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 14: Washington DC United settle for a 3-3 tie after leading FC Dallas 3-0 with 40 minutes remaining in play at RFK Stadium in Washginton, DC July 14, 2007.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 14: Luciano Emilio #11 of the Washington DC United and Clarence Goodson #11 FC Dallas both head the ball deep in Dallas territory at RFK Stadium in Washginton, DC July 14, 2007. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

See more photos from the game by visiting our Photoshelter gallery.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 14: Fred #7 of the Washington DC United heads the ball for a goal against Dario Sala #48 of the FC Dallas at RFK Stadium in Washginton, DC July 14, 2007. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 14: Luciano Emilio #11 of the Washington DC United scores a goal against Dario Sala #48 of the FC Dallas at RFK Stadium in Washginton, DC July 14, 2007. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 14: Jaime Moreno #99 of the Washington DC United beat defenders Drew Moor #14 and Adrian Serioux # 15 of the FC Dallas at RFK Stadium in Washginton, DC July 14, 2007. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 14: Devon McTavish #18 of the Washington DC United fights for control of the ball against Arturo Alvarez #12 of the FC Dallas at RFK Stadium in Washginton, DC July 14, 2007. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

D.C. United Postgame

After a somewhat shaky first half, D.C. United collected itself and came away with a 4-1 victory at home last night at RFK Stadium. I was lucky enough to corral Dave Lifton and Aaron Stollar once again to get their thoughts on a win that pushed United to the top half of the table in the Eastern Conference.

Here's one thing we missed that Steven Goff of the Post picked up: United are on the verge of a deal that will send defender Facundo Erpen to Colorado for defender Greg Vanney.

D.C. United v. Colorado Rapids

Here are a few shots from tonight's game; I'll have a full gallery up soon.

Colorado's Mike Petke writhes in pain after having his ankle stepped on.
Photo by Kate McGovern

The United earn their first goal of the night on a penalty kick.

Just some good, aggressive soccer.

D.C. sneaks another one by Colorado.
Photos by Kate McGovern.

Alternate MLS Slogans

Before settling in for tonight's match between D.C. United and the Colorado Rapids at RFK Stadium, I had a chance to discuss ESPN's new slogan for its MLS telecasts with some of my friends in the press box.

"You're a soccer fan; you just don't know it yet," is what ESPN is foisting on the masses, something the hard core Soccer types I talked to earlier tonight weren't too happy about. It's a conversation I've had with hockey fans as well, most recently in Columbus last weekend where talk around the table concerned the NHL's inability to sell the game on its own merits.

In any case, after a time, folks started to come up with their own:

MLS: Plenty of parking
MLS: Demography is destiny
MLS: Your kids like Soccer, why not you?

In any case, email me or leave your suggestion in the comments box.

UPDATE: Off Wing photographer Ellen Blanchard has another suggestion:

MLS: 6.3 Billion people can't be wrong

Keep 'em coming.

Funny moment: We're in the middle of a lightning delay, and the PR people have switched some of the press box televisions to the U.S. -Argentina match from the Copa America. Right after Argentina tied the match 1-1, my buddy Brian Strauss from the Express stops by to say hello.

"Hey man, how's it going?"

"1-1. Argentina just scored"

Which is when I got the look that told me he was TiVoing the game.

Oops.

DC United Squelch The Chicago Fire, 3-1

DC United’s winning streak reached seven tonight. The United were in complete control tonight as they took on the Chicago Fire, winning by a score of 3-1. The outcome was never in doubt as the United spent most of the night deep in the Fire’s end of the field.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 16: Luciano Emilio #11 of the Washington DC United following his goal during a game with the Chicago Fire at RFK Stadium in Washginton, DC June 16, 2007. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

Be sure to check out the Offwing Flickr Album for more pictures from today's game. You can also see some of the images at our Photoshelter account.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 16: Rod Dyachenko #15 of the Washington DC United controls the ball during a game with the Chicago Fire at RFK Stadium in Washginton, DC June 16, 2007. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 16: Christian Gomez #10 of the Washington DC United attempts a goal against Matt Pickens #18 of the Chicago Fire at RFK Stadium in Washginton, DC June 16, 2007. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 16: Fred #7 of the Washington DC United battles for the ball with Calen Carr #3 of the Chicago Fire at RFK Stadium in Washginton, DC June 16, 2007. (Photo by Allen Clark/OffWing)

Looking At D.C. United's Win On Sunday

Thanks again to Dave Lifton and Aaron Stollar for spending a few minutes with me after D.C. United's 4-2 win over the New York Red Bulls on Sunday afternoon:

I'm really starting to like these exchanges after the game. It makes the trip more than worthwhile.

Later this week, over at the AOL Fanhouse, I'll be posting video of Dave and Aaron talking about David Beckham's impending arrival in MLS.

Other Sports At Off Wing Opinion

Thanks to Washington Caps owner Ted Leonsis for taking note of our efforts to cover local Soccer and Lacrosse with D.C. United and the Washington Bayhawks.

I want to put an accent on "our" in "our efforts" because the idea to expand active coverage, rather than just blogging, to United and the Bayhawks was the idea of Ellen Blanchard, one of our photographers. In both cases, Ellen made the initial contact with the PR staff of both teams and made the case for working with Off Wing.

To take a closer look at what we've produced, stop by Off Wing's Flickr Album. Better yet, if you think you'd like Off Wing to provide photography services to cover an event, stop by Off Wing's virtual photo agency at Photoshelter.

All of the work constructing the virtual agency and getting it up and running was the work of another of our photographers, Allen Clark, who has also been working to get Off Wing recognized by the Washington Nationals.

Finally, folks should know that the bulk of our work covering D.C. United this season will take the form of video blogging. You can find all of our coverage from this season over at my personal Daily Motion page. Needless to say, I'm aiming to take everything I learn about covering United on video back to the Caps locker room in time for the 2007-08 NHL season.

And speaking of the Caps, Off Wing has applied for credentials to cover the 2007 NHL Entry Draft at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on June 22.

It's going to be a busy Summer. So please, stick around.

A Trap In Toronto For United?

I just watched the second half of a match between FC Toronto and the Chicago Fire from TO, and I'm starting to wonder if the title of best fans in MLS currently held by the locals here in Washington might not be under threat from North of the border.

After watching for just five minutes, it's pretty clear the fans in Toronto are delivering exactly what Don Garber and the rest of the suits inside MLS were hoping for when they granted the city an expansion franchise. You've got Soccer-mad locals and a Soccer-specific stadium combining to together for an incredible match night experience.

These people have everything that Washington has -- the singing, the chanting, the drums -- and one thing Washington doesn't: A brand new stadium that's just the right size to make it all come together in a combustible mix.

All of a sudden, next Saturday's match in Toronto isn't looking like a gimme anymore. While that might be bad news for United, it's great news for MLS, who are looking like geniuses for expanding to Toronto.

Next step: Please, please give an expansion franchise to Montreal. The fans in Toronto need a logical foil, and the league ought to give it to them. And if my my memories of the Manic are accurate, there's more than enough Soccer-nuts in Quebec to make it worthwhile.

Postgame: D.C. United 2 Chivas USA 1

Well, the home side finally shook off its early season stupor yesterday and recorded the first victory of the 2007 season. Was it pretty? No. Was it perfect? Not by a longshot. But as far as the guys in the locker room were concerned, three points was more than good enough.

'It Wasn't Pretty,' but United Notches First Win of Season (Goff, Post)
Soehn's changes pay off for United (Haydon, Times)
First Impressions - DC United 2 : 1 CD Chivas USA (DCenters)

Here's the postgame video roll:

Once I got out of the locker room, I sat down Aaron stollar and Dave Lifton from screaming-eagles.com for a postgame wrap:

Up next: Another two weeks off, then the team's first visit North of the border to FC Toronto.

DC United v. Chivas USA

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

More Photos After the Jump

Offwing Flickr Album Also be sure to check out the 41 pictures from today's game at Offwing Opinion's Flickr Page (Click Here).

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

DC United v. Chivas USA

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

More Photos After the Jump

Offwing Flickr Album Also be sure to check out the 41 pictures from today's game at Offwing Opinion's Flickr Page (Click Here).

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Why Did D.C. United Sit Jamie Moreno?

Quick video reel I put together from a couple of clips from Thursday night's game at RFK Stadium between D.C. United and the New England Revolution. One of the big questions in the postgame was why head coach Tommy Soehn didn't bring in Jamie Moreno until the start of the second half of the 1-1 draw:

For the complete interview with Lagerwey, click here. Look for more after tomorrow's game.

DC United v. New England Revolution

Picture Pages Pictures Pages

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

45 pictures from the DC United game against the New England Revolution have been loaded to the Flickr site so be sure to check out the Offwing Flickr Album for Pictures from Yesterday's game as well as other Sports Action around the area (Click Here).

One shout out to our fellow blogger Bobby Boswell who stuck around to sign autographs after the game:

Be sure to check out his blog at www.bobbyboswell.com

DC United v. Kansas City Wizards

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

More Photos After the Jump

Also be sure to check out the Offwing Flickr Album for Pictures from Today's game as well as other Capitals games (Click Here).

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

DC United v. Kansas City Wizards (First Half Photos)

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

DC Scores:

Photo by Ellen Blanchard
More Photos After the Jump

Also be sure to check out the Offwing Flickr Album for Pictures from Today's game as well as other Capitals games (Click Here).

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Photo by Ellen Blanchard

Match Night In Washington: D.C. United vs. Kansas City Wizards

Greetings from a cold and rainy RFK Stadium. I'm up in the press box, and once again Ellen Blanchard is down on the field with her camera, covered in plastic to protect her from the rain.

We will get some decent weather out here sometime before the end of the year, I can just feel it.

Since we last saw the home team, they've dropped a pair of decisions: A 2-1 loss to CD Chivas in Mexico that knocked them out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup; and a 2-1 loss in Denver to the Colorado Rapids in their MLS season opener.

As you might have guessed, with the lousy weather we're looking at a lot of empty seats tonight. Still, I'm looking forward to getting my first look at some of United's latest acquisitions, including Brazilian midfielder Fred and English midfielder Kasali Yinka Casal. They'll both be starting the match on the bench.

POSTGAME: What a brutal night. Kansas City up 2-0 in the first seven minutes, followed by a nice comeback to tie, and then another pair of Kansas City goals -- with the back breaker coming with time running down in the first half.

The first thing that popped into my head before the postgame press conference with Tommy Soehn was this: With all the focus on improving the attack, is it possible that the team neglected the defense?

As you might expect, it was the first question Soehn got after the game: