DC United finished off their preseason trip in California with a 0-0 tie against the Chivas USA, at the Home Depot Centre on Friday. The Red and white’s had first draw of the preseason, closing a six match record alongside three wins and two losses. The
friendly scrimmage involved ten substitutions from both teams but could not result a single goal.
The game was played in overcast, cold conditions and some drizzle came in the later passage. The United States national team staff, Bob Bradley and families of some players were there in the fans pool to witness the match. The DC united gave tough time to
their Major League Soccer opposition.
Play took-off with aggression, pace and offensive intensity from each side which brought-in some physicality. The Chivas USA played with a 4-1-4-1 formation, Alejandro Moreno was not paired with anyone at the forward line and had to start as the only striker.
Mariano Trujillo and Alan Gordon were the two centre midfielders ahead of Simon Elliot. Rookie Zarek Valentin played at right-back whereas the recent acquisition Heath Pearce started as the left-back. Wingers Bowen and Mendoza were switching the positions
lithely with each other and occasionally with Gordon. Zach Thornton imposed some threats but without any conversion.
The Goats had the better time for most of the first half but the United’s raised their play soon. Majority of the play was in the centre of the field, as the extended moves with the ball were few from each side. DC united was trapped by the Chivas and whistled
off-side for five to six times in the first half. The second half was not as lively as the first one was, mainly because of the so many substitutions. Jesus Padilla produced the best offense of the match when he brought the ball inside the box, and forced
a save from the DC United goal-keeper Pat Onstad. However, the left-back Jorge Flores caused some problems with threatening crosses and Gerson Mayen gave it some lift in the middle of the field.
The Goat’s goal-keeper Dan Kennedy was one of the highlights, who came in the 62nd minute to make an appearance after a six month long recovery from injury. Kennedy was straight-away in action and made some good saves. Charlie Davies just missed
the match winner for the DC United when he could only saw his ball reflecting down from the net-minder. Dax McCarty playing his first preseason due to an ankle roll was sparking in the field, and was very near to clinch one with a slight off-target header.
Eventually, the weaker demonstration of strides forward and the strategies which were not matching the opponents play, resulted a score-less draw.