WASHINGTON -- D.C. United welcome defending MLS Cup champions Houston Dynamo to RFK Stadium in a matchup rich with subplots and substantial questions facing both sides. The two league heavyweights are looking to regain their luster after slow starts in 2008 and Wednesday night's match offers much-needed points, as well as an important opportunity to display further signs of recovery -- especially for a United squad still finding their feet after a disastrous spring.
With a 3-2 win against Toronto FC and a 2-2 road draw in New England, D.C. have cobbled together a two-game unbeaten streak, but continue to struggle with costly defensive lapses.
"I think we're starting to put together some consistency as far as our ability to do the small things: work hard, be better in possession, all that's coming together," said head coach Tom Soehn. "We can't afford to drop that off -- that all has to stay the same. But we're still focusing on making sure we don't leak goals like we've been. That's been a real topic of ours."
Major League Soccer's best in the regular season and playoffs a year ago, respectively, United and Dynamo now find themselves playing catch-up with their conference rivals and their fortunes are further linked by the offseason trade that sent goalkeeper Zach Wells north in exchange for defender Bobby Boswell.
The swap offered both players a chance to kick-start their careers in new locales and while both have earned substantial minutes with their teams, they've also been implicated in the defensive struggles that have plagued each club. D.C. United have allowed a sky-high 22 goals, worst in MLS by a comfortable margin, while the Dynamo have already conceded 15 goals this year -- after allowing just 23 all season in 2007.
It gives both men something extra to prove against their former clubs, particularly in the colorful atmosphere at RFK, the site of Dynamo's MLS Cup triumph in November.
"Yeah, absolutely. Who doesn't? RFK -- this is the stage," said D.C. midfielder Rod Dyachenko on his close friend Boswell's return. "It's definitely extra motivation for anybody, especially if you've been part of the club."
Boswell will need to step up, given that his usual defensive partner Eddie Robinson has been suspended for the United clash due to his scrap with FC Dallas' Andre Rocha last week. Meanwhile, the center back spot he vacated in D.C. has been a focus of attention for United of late.
With Gonzalo Peralta missing two recent matches due to his wife's childbirth and fellow South American Gonzalo Martinez often drafted into left back duties, converted midfielders Devon McTavish and Dominic Mediate have been used in the heart of defense. Soehn is clearly pleased to have a variety of options at his disposal, much like last season when he platooned McTavish, Boswell and the now-departed Greg Vanney in that position.
"Yeah, we finally have that, and we haven't had that luxury much this year. So as we get guys healthy and all, it's a good problem to have," said Soehn. "We're figuring out what's our best lineup."
Peralta is expected to step back into the first XI against Houston, where his size will be needed to combat the power and physicality of Dynamo target man Brian Ching.
"A big dude, yeah -- a big, physical guy," said McTavish of Ching. "I think that's one reason why [general manager] Dave Kasper was looking to bring in a bigger center back with Peralta, because of matchups like that."
Soehn has emphasized the importance of constant, day-to-day improvement to his side as they look to climb out of their last-place hole, and Wednesday night's performance will represent another significant signpost in that progression.
"We had a 2-0 lead on the road against New England, which is a first[-place] team. I just don't think we put 90 minutes together -- we lost that energy, lost our focus, and we walked away with a point," said McTavish. "Walking out with a point is good, but being disappointed about that is even better, I think. So we're taking small steps. We haven't quite made the leap yet, but it's getting better, little by little, every game."
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