Full Slate: DC United Juggles Multiple Competitions

Saturday, September 26, 2009

By Sebastian Salazar
CSNwashington.com

A quick glance at DC United's schedule over the past month would probably cause some confusion for most casual soccer fans.  Since the turn of the calendar, the Black and Red have juggled the US Open Cup final, CONCACAF Champions League play, and four crucial weeks of the MLS regular season.  DC's players have performed admirably under the stressful schedule, but admit switching back and forth from domestic to international competition, can be difficult.

"We have to approach each game differently because the opponent plays a different style than most MLS teams,” said midfielder Chris Pontius before this week's CONCACAF game against Honduran side CD Marathon, “it offers a different aspect to the game, but it is the same mentality."  

One of the main differences between CONCACAF play and MLS is the lack of parity.  Against a squad like Trinidadian champion SJ Jabloteh, DC United is a prohibitive favorite.  Against a storied Mexican club like Toluca, the Black and Red play the role of underdogs.  Those inconsistencies, coupled with about half the attendance for an average Champions League game when compared to MLS, and you can understand why playing in two competitions at once can wear on a team.
 
"The atmosphere is not quite as good as it is on the weekend" admitted United midfielder Devon McTavish, "but these games are just as important as league games because we are trying to build some notoriety for MLS."

McTavish himself is one of the players who has benefitted most from CONCACAF play.  Injured during DC's season opener against Los Angeles, the Winchester, Virginia native had trouble breaking back into his starting role.  The extra game action of Champions League provided McTavish with a much-needed avenue back onto the field.

"CONCACAF lets the guys who haven't played on the weekend as much a chance to play" said McTavish earlier this week, "I've been one of those guys and we've done fairly well... we are still trying to go out there and represent what DC United is."

United faces SJ Jabloteh Wednesday September 30th at RFK in the Black and Red's next CONCACAF game.  October 20th, DC will close out CONCACAF group play against Toluca in what figures to be a decisive game down in Mexico.

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