First career MLS coaching win for Ben Olsen snaps D.C. United winless streak

By Chris Hummer

Finally! D.C. United, under new leadership in Ben Olsen, ended a league winless streak lasting over two months, and notched their first win at RFK since late May in downing fellow cellar-dwellers Philadelphia Union 2-0 Sunday afternoon in front of 12,165 on a pair of goals by Australian Danny Allsopp.

The match ended as it began, with United on the attack, scoring goals, and the sun shinning brightly. But just as with United\'s play, what really won the game for the Black and Red was their ability to overcome the middle.

They overcame the middle of the game after scoring the opening goal by preserving a lead, and were rewarded with a second goal to seal the rare win.

They also overcame a pedestrian, if not invisible performance in the middle of the field by "Designated Player" Branko Boskovic, who hardly even celebrated the opening goal with his otherwise ecstatic teammates, and quite possibly had the fewest touches of any player on the field, including the goalkeepers.

And they overcame a mid-game heavy rain storm and lingering standing water that threatened to mire the game in the sort of slog fest that does not suit a possession-focused team.

In this game, it was the perimeter that proved the difference. From a solid performance from the back line and goalkeeper Bill Hamid, to the flank play of Andy Najar, the work rate by striker Pablo Hernandez, and of course the opportunistic goals scored by his partner from down under. To be fair, defensive midfielder Clyde Simms was mostly solid as usual, but had to do most of the work alone.

With a playoff berth nearly impossible to achieve, Olsen will now be focused on their Wednesday, August 1st U.S. Open Cup semifinal with the visiting Columbus Crew as a must win, which will likely effect his choices for the travel roster that will head west for their league match against Chivas USA next weekend.

With his first MLS game ball as a coach in hand after his virgin win, a strong league finish and U.S. Open Cup title could put the Middletown, PA native\'s name in the real running for the top tob next season - if he wants it that is.

Game Notes (video follows):

Most disappointing = Besides the invisible and disinterested Boskovic, Santino Quaranta, wearing the captain\'s arm band, was most disappointing for me, sticking with his trade mark attempts to sprint down the flank with big touches, followed by predicable cut backs to the inside, he continually turned a moment of danger into a turnover, only once finding the streaking Najar on the weak side in a position to do any damage. For the rare times this play can kill an opponent if Najar receives an accurate service, once it becomes predictable, its effectiveness diminishes. Tino needs to vary his play more instead of either playing backwards in his own half or sprinting toward goal full speed a cutting inside in the attacking half. He\'s a good player, but with all those physical assets and experience, United needs more from him - especially if he wants to keep the captaincy.

MVP = Andy Najar for his constantly creative work at being dangerous, and providing the two services that resulted in what someone like Allsopp needs in order to score - balls at his feet with little pressure, and already facing goal.

Honorable Mentions = Allsopp for not missing sure goals and as Soccer Insider Steven Goff pointed out, being the first one other than a teenager to score at RFK since before the World Cup break! Hernandez for his work and dummy on the 2nd goal. Bill Hamid for a solid performance and quick distribution that helped United\'s game plan of keeping the pressure on the Union. (Note, Perkins on the bench behind Hamid, while the player he was traded for - Fred - was the opponent\'s best player. How bad does that trade look now?)

Best Banner = With the win in-hand, a 15-foot photographic-quality image of Ben Olsen in uniform unveiled directly underneath the Union\'s traveling fan club "Sons of Ben" (Franklin, that is), captioned by the creative United faithful "Who\'s Your Daddy Now SoB"

Best fans? = Speaking of fans, the hundred plus traveling contingent from the "city of brotherly love" was impressive in size and decibels, and brought out the best voice in United\'s own. With barely 12,000 in attendance, the competing songs and chants directed at each other gave the game an almost European feel. Down side to what looks like a great rivalry in the making is that the excesivly vulgar language used by these groups lacks creativity, makes TV producers cringe, and threatens to counteract ticket sales gained with more traveling fans by driving away mom\'s, dad\'s, and youth coaches who struggle to explain why "those people are saying the F word?"