But for D.C. United, this year's stretch run is looking more daunting than ever. CONCACAF Champions League action has essentially doubled D.C.'s schedule over the next seven weeks, piling heavy demands on a tired, injury-hit side presently clinging to the league's final postseason slot.
The hard realities of geography are a leading factor. Following two home games, Saturday's league match against FC Dallas and Tuesday's Champions League opener against Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica, United's journey begins in earnest. After a cross-country trip to take on the Galaxy in Los Angeles, Tom Soehn's squad will spend a recovery day in California before flying directly to Honduras for a Sept. 24 clash with CD Marathon in San Pedro Sula. Then it's back to Washington for just two days before a visit to north Texas for a return date with FC Dallas.
"Indeed, it's going to be extremely busy and we're hoping and praying that all of our players will get back physically, mentally and morally, because we're going to be on the road for almost a week," said goalkeeper Louis Crayton.
Santino Quaranta admitted that his first look at the transcontinental itinerary, finalized on Tuesday, prompted a double-take.
"It's not going to be easy," he said. "I've never seen a schedule like that before, where you're traveling so many miles in such a short period of time. But it's a good opportunity for us as well. It's a big tournament. It's not like we're doing this for friendly games or there's no reward for it."
The Black-and-Red are in no position to look beyond that voyage, but mid-October also portends another long journey with back-to-back road ties in Costa Rica and Houston over a 72-hour span. So while the Champions League is a central cog in the club's international ambitions, there's little denying that CONCACAF's new-look competition has arrived at an awkward time for a team shorn of crucial contributors -- and thus well short of full speed -- for a variety of reasons.
"We'll have a better barometer after we come out," said assistant coach Chad Ashton, discussing the tourney's implications. "But going in you just don't know, and the scary part for us is, we're not healthy right now. How are we going to become more healthy through an even longer and harder grind right now? It's literally going to have to be a day at a time, evaluating guys and being smart as possible with guys' [playing] time."
Up front, Luciano Emilio will have to go through the latter stages of his recuperation from a groin injury while on the road, while Jaime Moreno's recent absence while on Bolivian national team duty inevitably adds some uncertainty to his status.
Playmaker Marcelo Gallardo continues to work his way back to peak match fitness gradually, while influential Brazilian Fred has experienced fits and starts on his recovery from hamstring problems. Similarly hamstrung, Argentinean defender Gonzalo Peralta remains a missing link in the heart of the back four and midfield terrier Joe Vide hopes to contribute as well. Each injury requires what Ashton calls a "delicate" evaluation process.
"Are we pushing them too much? Are guys coming back ready to go? We've got to make sure we don't bring them back too early, and they get hurt again and we lose them for the playoff push, late-season MLS games, stuff like that," he said.
Psychology plays an important role, too. The technical staff has taken extra effort to make the longer trips as comfortable and relaxing as possible, and more experienced heads try to emphasize the correct mental framework to their teammates. Many players would even contend that they prefer match days to training days.
"I'm excited to play every game and that's the way it should be. Hopefully we'll keep a positive attitude about this situation," said Quaranta. "Saturday-Wednesday [scheduling] is nice because you do recovery and then you're back at it. It's not bad. But the travel is the problem."
United are extremely wary of collapsing down the stretch, a fate that has befallen them more than once in recent years. So hard choices regarding squad selection will inevitably crop up as the rigors of the Champions League compete for prominence with the quest for a fifth MLS Cup.
"I think Tommy's talked about that and he's given his priorities of what he expects and what he's going to put at the top, and so on and so on," said Ashton. "Last week Soehn specifically mentioned that his focus is on domestic success.
"At the end of the day, we're going to have to rely on and count on guys who aren't typical starters to see time and do well for us. They're going to have to step up and do a good job, and hopefully those guys will come through for us."
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