Ok. So I know at first this title makes no sense at first. Think of it this way…United needed to score 2 more goals than Marathon to jump into second place. They did this…and they scored another to solidify it. Emilio, who has been in a real scoring drought this season, put in the first and the last goals. Jaime Moreno had the 2nd goal of the match, but also received a red card and was sent off. I think Steve Goff of the Washington Post said it best with this…
Ten days ago, D.C. United was on the verge of crashing out of the CONCACAF Champions League for the second straight autumn. Now, with a home victory against winless Jabloteh next Wednesday and a Marathon loss to visiting Toluca the next day, DCU would secure passage to next year’s quarterfinals. The only way for Toluca not to advance is by losing by at least seven goals in San Pedro Sula and then falling by three goals at home to DCU on Oct. 20. Will the Mexicans bother to play any regulars next week?
Now it is time to focus on the MLS season. United will be without Bryan Namoff due to a concussion he suffered. The timetable for his return is unknown at this point, but this will definitely hurt United’s defense. DC hosts San Jose, who are out of contention for the playoffs this season, and without a win may drop DC out of the last playoff spot. This will be a very interesting month for United to see if they can stay afloat in the playoff race. This is the boost United needed going into the end of the MLS. Let’s hope that they can hold on to this flow going right up to MLS Cup 2009.
