WASHINGTON -- D.C. United can credit some excellent midfield play, an improved work rate and the resurgence of goalscorer Luciano Emilio for their four-game undefeated streak.
But even as the positive results pile up, the squad continues to chase another important marker of progress: a clean sheet. United have not held an opponent scoreless this season.
"I was disappointed that we gave up a goal," said D.C. coach Tom Soehn after Saturday's 4-1 victory against New York. "We're working hard on getting a clean sheet, but we haven't gotten a clean sheet yet and that's troublesome."
A hard-nosed defender in his playing days, Soehn would be expected to pay close attention to his back line's quest for perfection and the United defense is clearly eager to notch that achievement as a point of pride.
"It's something that's kind of driving us crazy," said Devon McTavish, whose move from midfield back to central defense has paid dividends. "We practice it every week and we're trying to get better but for some reason we always have some little letdown that lets a ball in. But it's getting better -- I don't think we're letting [in] soft goals as we had been earlier in the season."
Much of that improvement can be traced to an increasingly compact defensive shape -- but the Black-and-Red have also waded into physical battles with more enthusiasm.
"[Sometimes] the best thing you can do is get a body on someone and force them to make a spectacular play," said goalkeeper Zach Wells, "and that's what we're doing on those high balls, those balls in to the forwards' feet. We're putting bodies on people and making it hard for them to play simple stuff."
Perhaps the most important development has been a more assertive approach from Wells. The 27-year-old 'keeper looked hesitant in his early appearances for United and struggled to provide the communication needed to organize the back line. But in recent weeks he's gained a better understanding of his role within the team, one that he compares to his highly-decorated college career at UCLA, where he led the Bruins to an NCAA championship in 2002.
"I think now I understand what's expected of me as the goalkeeper for D.C. United. It's a little bit different than what was expected of me at New York and [Houston]," he said. "I think we're just starting to figure out where I fit in with the team and we're doing a better job of communication between myself and the coaches and what's expected, and that's translating on the field in success and confidence."
Earlier in the season, Soehn called on the tall Californian to pick up his game and the United boss was duly pleased with what he saw in Saturday's win against Wells' former team.
"He's manning the box a little bit more," said Soehn. "He's more decisive in the decisions he makes and that's what we've asked of him. He's starting to do that."
Troy Perkins, United's No. 1 netminder over the past two seasons, was known for patrolling his penalty area with authority and Wells is learning the importance of such assertiveness, especially in light of the direct, physical approach many opponents have used against his team.
"I feel like I'm seeing plays before they happen a lot better now. I'm able to read the game a little bit better and it makes it easier when the defense is organized," said Wells. "It becomes obvious whose ball is whose, as opposed to maybe when we're all over the place, it could be his, it could be mine. I'm trying to communicate earlier to clean up the situation."
His teammates have taken notice.
"He was definitely talking to us the whole time and when he needed to come out, he came out," said left back Marc Burch on Saturday. "He made some big saves today."
At one point during their spring skid, D.C. was leaking more than two goals a game on average. Enhanced trust and cohesion along the back line has seen those numbers drop off significantly during the past month, but the squad is keenly aware that sustained success will require virtually error-free defending.
"We have a good relationship back there," said McTavish. "For the past couple of games I think we've just been unfortunate to let goals in, but that's kind of the way it goes. If you give people in this league opportunities, they're starting to finish them now, so we just need to get tighter back there."
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