Just back from a hot and long trip to Washington DC’s RFK stadium to see our own Chattanooga FC do battle with DC United’ Super 20 team. As you now, we were handled relatively easily and lost 3-0. We’ll give you our full evaluation tomorrow but here are some main notes:
1. Who was that?
I’ve seen CFC play 9 games prior to this one, and this team sure did not play like CFC. We looked out of sorts: hot, confused and mostly nervous. Our best players did not play well (and it did not look like it was all DC United’s doing).
2. Hot Hot Heat
When we got out of the car it was reading 104º F. The heat and humidity were oppressive and draining for us and the hardest thing we did was to climb stairs to our seats. We never seemed to stop sweating. Can’t imagine what it felt like to players actually running hard for 80 minutes.
3. A Good Experience?
This loss may be (I say may be) a good experience for us to realize we are not invincible… A good thing to motivate us as we move into the NPSL National tourney.
More added July 27:
El Conductor’s assessment/comment below is quite accurate and echos our own thoughts here at the Chattahooligan. The DCU defense was quite solid — we really only had 3 shots on goal by our count. However our own defense was easily outmatched by DCU’s strikers too. They were fast, skilled and strong.
Even so, this does not explain why our team seemed to have trouble with trapping the ball and making relatively simple passes. Our traps seemed to bounce six feet away from our players doing the trapping, and unforced errors happened far too often with what should’ve been a simple pass. Neither of these were caused by DC. Was it nerves? Apprehension about putting on a good show and getting ‘seen’? We think so.
Unfortunately almost no one played up to their potential. Salazar, Espinal, Warren, Courtney and Glover were quite disappointing. While the defense (Gambill, Courtney, Stewart and Scott) made some definite stops, they also made gaffs that allowed the three goals. The only pseudo-bright spot seemed to be Viatrov. But even then he missed two goal opportunities himself.
So while the loss was disappointing and a blow to our pride, the knockout punch was to lose Russell Courtney, who was injured in the second half and is out for the season. He will be difficult to replace.
So, the big question is: Does this loss demoralize us or renew our efforts to finish the season with 2 big wins?
I attribute much of the loss to the DCU defense. They gave up very few angles of attack. Interesting stat: by my count, we attempted all of 2 corners… TWO! That’s the sign of an excellent DCU defense.
Previously, we’ve been able to punch the ball deep and setup a shot, or force a corner or nearby throw-in, with the sheer number of those producing points. However, In the 80 minutes played Saturday, I’d estimate as much as 60 of those had the ball on our own half. Facing a possession disadvantage like that, we were at a loss.
I daresay, in the history of the club we’ve never faced as stout a defense. Perhaps we’ve been a bit spoiled by the wealth of chances our previous opponents have given us. Hopefully the coaching staff will work on making the most of whatever a top-flight defense might give us.