Whether this year's side feels inspired or intimidated by that commemoration remains to be seen. Ten years later, United's desire to match that team's feats and return to those giddy heights is as strong as ever, but remains unfulfilled despite having participated in three CONCACAF Champions' Cup and two Copa Sudamericana tournaments over the past four years.
So the advent of CONCACAF Champions League this week, starting with Tuesday's visit of Costa Rican power Deportivo Saprissa, represents an exciting opportunity for head coach Tom Soehn and his charges, another chance to prove themselves on what is arguably the biggest stage available.
Last month, as Chivas USA and the New England Revolution were struggling to advance into the group stages of the tourney while also juggling league play, D.C. defender Devon McTavish was asked about the prospect of fielding reserves in Champions League to shore up their MLS Cup ambitions.
"I don't know. Knowing Tommy and knowing this organization, they're going to try to win. They're not going to let any opportunity to do well in international play pass us up," he said. "They might bring in a couple [reserves] but I don't see them putting a full squad out there."
But the ongoing injury crisis at RFK Stadium looks certain to force Soehn's hand Tuesday night, a reminder that this new regional competition is simultaneously a menacing threat, given the pressure it piles on a weary, shorthanded group which must fight to maintain its playoff prospects in the closing weeks of the regular season. That situation was hardly helped by Saturday's draw in steamy conditions at RFK, where a valuable league victory slipped through United's fingers in the dying moments.
"Man, I didn't think about it at all before this game, because this is more important right now than the CONCACAF, you know what I mean?" said Santino Quaranta after the league draw, speaking about Saprissa's visit. "We've got to start thinking about it now because it's in [72] hours and I'm really tired after tonight's game. The heat, it took a lot out of me. I was surprised -- I didn't feel that great the whole game. We have to find a way to bounce back because there's a game in [72] hours." Quaranta and his mates will have to do so without several valuable bodies. Tuesday night will come too soon for injured mainstays like Marcelo Gallardo, Gonzalo Peralta and perhaps even Ivan Guerrero and Jaime Moreno, both of whom sustained knocks over the weekend. Brazilians Luciano Emilio and Fred will be in uniform, but some ways short of full fitness.
So Soehn once again will have to conjure up as effective a lineup as he can muster, knowing that Saprissa -- one of the most talented and experienced squads in recent CONCACAF history -- will offer a stiff challenge, especially for a Black-and-Red defense that has leaked four goals in its last two games. The naivetŠ¹ shown in the draw with Dallas will likely be punished if it shows itself in Champions League play.
"We definitely have some things we need to fix," said midfielder Clyde Simms on Saturday. "We were still pushing too many numbers forward, for sure. ... I just feel like we need to do a better job of just sitting in and kill off the game. We don't need to beat them by more than one. That's all you need to get the three points. We definitely need to do better with that."
With draining road trips to Honduras, Mexico and Costa Rica ahead, the team recognizes the pivotal importance of home results in this competition, even as they keep one eye on Sunday's league fixture in Los Angeles, which will be closely followed by a Champions League away date with CD Marathon of Honduras.
"It's going to be some tough games," said Simms. "It's a huge one on Tuesday, being at home. Some of the teams we're playing, their atmospheres on the road are pretty tough, with altitude and things like that. So Tuesday will be a big game for us."
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