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I promise that Joe Willis feature is coming soon, but for now, please gorge yourselves on some fresh D.C. United player ratings. Let's go.
Starters
Joe Willis--5/5: One of my Co-Men of the Match (That's right: Co-Men of the Match). His ridiculous save sequence in the first half was crucial not only because of the score at the time (0-0), but because it came at the climax of a period when Vancouver had the better of the play. That sequence, combined with Chris Pontius' first goal, turned the match permanently in United's favor. Willis' second-half robbery of Eric Hassli and the subsequent clean sheet was the icing on the cake.
Perry Kitchen--3/5: Stayed home for the most part tonight, but was more than able to deal with anything that came his way.
Dejan Jakovic--4/5: Has come back strong from his hamstring injury and formed a solid partnership with Brandon McDonald. Having said that, was lucky to get away with just a scolding after a zesty challenge on Camilo Sanvezzo
Brandon McDonald--3/5: Like Kitchen, stayed home and dealt with whatever came his way.
Daniel Woolard--4/5: Proved useful going forward and had a crucial goal-line block in the middle of Willis' magic act.
Andy Najar--4/5: Looked fresh coming back from one-game suspension. Wreaked havoc down the right and all but sealed the game with this little number.
Clyde Simms--3/5: Spent a lot of time in Vancouver's half in the early going, trying to trigger a United attack. Instrumental in shutting up shop in the second half.
Santino Quaranta--3/5: Had one good moment in the first half when his 35-yard tryer sailed just wide. Had a second good moment in the second half when his long ball picked out Najar just before the Honduran's goal. Apart from that, was very ordinary. Often stopped the ball when it should have kept going and had one very, very bad giveaway.
Chris Pontius--5/5: Another one of my Co-Men of the Match. Was focused on one goal, and one goal only: getting the ball and/or himself to the net. And he did that very well indeed.
Dwayne De Rosario--5/5: That's right, I have three Co-Men of the Match. Mind you, De Rosario deserves his five for his work on Pontius' first goal alone. If it wasn't clear already, the history of D.C. United's 2011 season will have two parts: B.D. (Before De-Ro) and A.D. (After De-Ro).
Charlie Davies--3/5: Let's put the yellow card aside for a moment (I've discussed that over here). Ashton praised Davies for the work he did stretching the field, and indeed, Davies seemed perfectly willing (and, more importantly, able) to chase down long balls. But, when Davies did get the ball, particularly in the final third, he seemed to make the wrong decision more often than not. In particular, his sudden hesitation to have a crack at goal when receiving the ball in the penalty area was a real puzzlement.
Substitutes
Stephen King (on for Quaranta, 63rd minute)--4/5: Slid into the midfield nicely and capped the night off well with a goal.
Austin da Luz (on for Najar, 74th minute)--3/5: Lots of energy and kept the ball well.
Marc Burch (on for Pontius, 77th minute)--3/5: Looked good in the left midfield role. Should have had an assist, but De Rosario could only re-direct his cross over the net.