SB Nation DC - D.C. United Vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: United Roll To 4-0 Victory Over Hapless Whitecapshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2011-08-15T16:58:52-04:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/21257892011-08-15T16:58:52-04:002011-08-15T16:58:52-04:00D.C. United's Chris Pontius Named MLS Player Of The Week
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<img alt="WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 13: Chris Pontius #13 of D.C. United controls the ball against Gershon Koffie #18 of Vancouver Whitecaps FC at RFK Stadium on August 13, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ned Dishman/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eJpvkn6KI4ILyLQVUtRpl5kRwsw=/0x0:1000x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/3674446/121087322.jpg" />
<figcaption>WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 13: Chris Pontius #13 of D.C. United controls the ball against Gershon Koffie #18 of Vancouver Whitecaps FC at RFK Stadium on August 13, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ned Dishman/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>For the third straight week, a D.C. United player is named MLS player of the week as Chris Pontius takes the honors. </p> <p>For the third straight week, a D.C. United player was named MLS Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR). This week, however, that player wasn't <span>Dwayne De Rosario</span>.Instead, <span>Chris Pontius</span> beat out four other players --including teammates De Rosario and <span>Joe Willis</span>, <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/dc-united/2011/8/14/2362951/d-c-uniteds-joe-willis-makes-a-statement-with-clean-sheet-on-debut">who we profiled elsewhere on the site</a>--to take the honors after scoring twice in the Black-and-Red's 4-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.</p>
<p>Pontius, who has started all 22 games for D.C. United this season and leads the team in minutes played (1,861 to be precise), received <a href="http://www.soccerreporters.com/2011-mls-player-of-the-week-round-22-chris-pontius-dc-united/">eight of the 16 first-choice votes</a> cast by the NASR members. <span>Milos Kocic</span> of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> came in second with four first-place votes, while De Rosario, Willis, Philadelphia's <span>Sebastien Le Toux</span>, and Toronto's <span>Torsten Frings</span> received one vote each.</p>
<p>Pontius' two tallies gave him seven goals on the season and put him alone in second place on the club's goalscoring table, one behind <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110931/charlie-davies">Charlie Davies</a>. You can see his first goal <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-13-dc-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/highlights?videoID=18160">here</a>, and his second goal <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-13-dc-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/highlights?videoID=18178">here</a>.</p>
<p>D.C. United return to action with a road match against the Chicago Fire Thursday at 9:00 p.m.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/dc-united/2011/8/15/2364809/d-c-uniteds-chris-pontius-named-mls-player-of-the-weekSamuel Chamberlain2011-08-14T18:01:16-04:002011-08-14T18:01:16-04:00D.C. United's Joe Willis Makes A Statement With Clean Sheet On Debut
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<img alt="WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 13: Joe Willis #31 of D.C. United makes a save against Jonathan Leathers #25 of Vancouver Whitecaps FC at RFK Stadium on August 13, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ned Dishman/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/B3AWLIlF2Y073qkRW3C3Br2Cwzk=/0x0:1000x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/3674421/121087316.jpg" />
<figcaption>WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 13: Joe Willis #31 of D.C. United makes a save against Jonathan Leathers #25 of Vancouver Whitecaps FC at RFK Stadium on August 13, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ned Dishman/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>After spending the entire MLS season on the first-team bench, United goalkeeper Joe Willis answered the bell against Vancouver Saturday night. </p> <p>WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In the immediate aftermath of Saturday night's 4-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps, D.C. United goalkeeper <span>Joe Willis</span> had no idea whether his teammates would give him the match ball, or indeed any souvenir from his memorable debut.</p>
<p>"I guess maybe I'll keep the jersey," Willis said, pulling at his light blue goalkeeper's uniform.</p>
<p>What Willis actually did get, courtesy of injured defender <span>Kurt Morsink</span>, was a shaving cream pie in the face. Rookie protocol had to be observed, after all.</p>
<p>The performance of the 23-year-old Willis, who recorded six saves in the win, marked the end of a long waiting period for the former University of Denver Pioneer, who was <a href="http://www.tbd.com/blogs/chamberlain/2011/01/mls-superdraft-2011-united-braces-goalies-for-battle-with-willis-pick-7234.html">drafted by United with the 50th overall pick</a> in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. The Black-and-Red traded both of their first-round picks in the MLS Supplemental Draft to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/los-angeles-galaxy">Los Angeles Galaxy</a> for the chance to grab Willis, which spoke to how highly the United brass thought of the goalkeeper.</p>
<p>"[D.C. United assistant coach] Chad [Ashton] knew him from Denver [where Ashton coached until 2006]," United goalkeeping coach Pat Onstad said. "And at the combine, he was head-and-shoulders above everybody else."</p>
<p>Willis became part of a three-way goalkeeping competition alongside 20-year-old <span>Bill Hamid</span> and and 28-year-old <span>Steve Cronin</span> (acquired in the offseason from Portland). But he was so raw that the club actually signed Onstad to a short-term playing contract at the start of the season so that the coach could back up Cronin while Hamid recovered from offseason shoulder surgery.</p>
<p>However, Willis continued to apply himself in training and with Hamid suspended for Saturday night's game after <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LjdLIxVAyE">this red card</a> against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a>, Willis had improved enough to engage Cronin in a <i>mano-a-mano</i> showdown for the starting job.</p>
<p>"At the start of the week, we, as a group, decided we were going to let them battle it out over the course of the week," said Ashton, who coached United while Ben Olsen served a one-game suspension. "It was a good battle -- they both did a good job. Joe was just a little bit better during the course of the week."</p>
<p>On Friday, two days after Willis' 23rd birthday, Ashton informed the young goalkeeper that he would start against Vancouver.</p>
<p>"For most of the day [Saturday], I was pretty nervous," Willis said. "A lot of the older guys talked me through it, and I was ready to go after warm-ups."</p>
<p>Willis certainly showed no sign of nerves during <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-13-dc-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/highlights?videoID=18157">a crazy sequence </a>in the first half, when he dove to his right to tip away Camilo's free kick off the underside of the crossbar. In the scramble that followed, Willis scrambled to make two point-blank saves and required help via a timely goal-line block by <span>Daniel Woolard</span>.</p>
<p>"They had one guy in the wall, and Clyde [Simms] did a great job of knocking him out of the way so I could get a good look," Willis said. "In that situation, you just try to make yourself as big as possible and hope that you grab it or one of your defenders clears it."</p>
<p>Willis made <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-13-dc-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/highlights?videoID=18177">one more great save</a> to deny Vancouver's <span>Eric Hassli</span>, and that combined with <span>Chris Pontius</span>' <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-13-dc-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/highlights?videoID=18178">second goal</a> managed to, in Ashton's words, "break their back."</p>
<p>Hamid, who was called up to the U.S. National Team for the August 10 friendly against Mexico, will be eligible to rejoin the team for Thursday's match at Chicago. With United battling for a playoff spot, it would be understandable if Ben Olsen slotted him back into the lineup. However, after Willis' sparkling debut, United appear to have three quality netminders, and that's a very good problem for any team to have.</p>
<p>"His technique has improved, and his conditioning has gotten a lot better," said Onstad. "Having all three of these guys at the club is a good sign for the future, but there's still a way to go."</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/dc-united/2011/8/14/2362951/d-c-uniteds-joe-willis-makes-a-statement-with-clean-sheet-on-debutSamuel Chamberlain2011-08-14T01:02:47-04:002011-08-14T01:02:47-04:00D.C. United Vs. Vancouver Whitecaps Player Ratings: Welcome To The Joe Willis, Chris Pontius, and Dwayne De Rosario Show
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<img alt="WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 13: Stephen King #20 of D.C. United celebrates after a goal against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at RFK Stadium on August 13, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ned Dishman/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9typekbw0L_V_e-hgJ99BPANkug=/0x0:1000x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/3675529/121092526.jpg" />
<figcaption>WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 13: Stephen King #20 of D.C. United celebrates after a goal against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at RFK Stadium on August 13, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ned Dishman/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Grades for each D.C. United player's performance in the Black-and-Red's 4-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.</p> <p>I promise that <span>Joe Willis</span> feature is coming soon, but for now, please gorge yourselves on some fresh D.C. United player ratings. Let's go.</p>
<p><b>Starters</b></p>
<p><b>Joe Willis--5/5:</b> One of my Co-Men of the Match (That's right: Co-Men of the Match). <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-13-dc-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/highlights?videoID=18157">His ridiculous save sequence</a> 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 <span>Chris Pontius</span>' first goal, turned the match permanently in United's favor. <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-13-dc-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/highlights?videoID=18177">Willis' second-half robbery of Eric Hassli</a> and the subsequent clean sheet was the icing on the cake.</p>
<p><b><span>Perry Kitchen</span>--3/5: </b>Stayed home for the most part tonight, but was more than able to deal with anything that came his way.</p>
<p><b><span>Dejan Jakovic</span>--4/5: </b>Has come back strong from his hamstring injury and formed a solid partnership with <span>Brandon McDonald</span>. Having said that, was lucky to get away with just a scolding after a zesty challenge on <span>Camilo Sanvezzo</span></p>
<p><b>Brandon McDonald--3/5: </b>Like Kitchen, stayed home and dealt with whatever came his way.</p>
<p><b><span>Daniel Woolard</span>--4/5: </b>Proved useful going forward and had a crucial goal-line block in the middle of Willis' magic act.</p>
<p><b><span>Andy Najar</span>--4/5</b>: Looked fresh coming back from one-game suspension. Wreaked havoc down the right and all but sealed the game with <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-13-dc-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/highlights?videoID=18166">this little number</a>.</p>
<p><b><span>Clyde Simms</span>--3/5: </b>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.</p>
<p><b>Santino Quaranta--3/5: </b>Had one good moment in the first half when his <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-13-dc-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/highlights?videoID=18144">35-yard tryer sailed just wide</a>. 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.</p>
<p><b>Chris Pontius--5/5: </b>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.</p>
<p><b><span>Dwayne De Rosario</span>--5/5: </b>That's right, I have three Co-Men of the Match. Mind you, De Rosario deserves his five for his work on <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-13-dc-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/highlights?videoID=18160">Pontius' first goal</a> 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).</p>
<p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110931/charlie-davies">Charlie Davies</a>--3/5: </b>Let's put the yellow card aside for a moment (I've discussed that <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/2011/8/13/2361987/d-c-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-chad-ashton-praises-game-changer/in/2125789">over here</a>). 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.</p>
<p><b>Substitutes</b></p>
<p><b><span>Stephen King</span> (on for Quaranta, 63rd minute)--4/5: </b>Slid into the midfield nicely and capped the night off well <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-13-dc-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/highlights?videoID=18183">with a goal</a>.</p>
<p><b>Austin da Luz (on for Najar, 74th minute)--3/5: </b>Lots of energy and kept the ball well. </p>
<p><b><span>Marc Burch</span> (on for Pontius, 77th minute)--3/5: </b>Looked good in the left midfield role. Should have had an assist, but <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-13-dc-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc/highlights?videoID=18184">De Rosario could only re-direct his cross</a> over the net. </p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/8/14/2362141/d-c-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-player-ratings-welcome-to-the-joeSamuel Chamberlain2011-08-13T22:51:31-04:002011-08-13T22:51:31-04:00D.C. United Vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: Chad Ashton Praises "Game-Changer" Dwayne De Rosario
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<p>Lots to talk about after a very satisfying 4-0 win for D.C. United over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/">Vancouver Whitecaps</a> tonight at RFK. Obviously, the biggest story of the game was the performance of <span>Joe Willis</span>, who made six saves and kept a clean sheet in his first-ever MLS first-team action. However, I'm saving all the Willis stuff for a feature that should be coming later tonight, so check back here often. On to other things.</p>
<p>D.C. United assistant Chad Ashton ran the sidelines with Ben Olsen serving a one-match ban after being ejected from last week's 3-3 draw against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> (Olsen watched the game from a box at RFK and was seen passing through the D.C. United locker room after the game), and he was pleased with the performance. "I don't remember the last time we had a game like that," Ashton said. Indeed, the last time D.C. United defeated an MLS opponent 4-0 was in 2007, when <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/">FC Dallas</a> was put to the sword in Texas.</p>
<p>Ashton was full of praise for United's killer instinct, saying, "Earlier this season, we would have just dropped off, and said, 'OK, now we've gotta defend.' Tonight, we kept playing."</p>
<p><span>Dwayne De Rosario</span>'s performance, in which he recorded two assists and could have scored three goals, was considered particularly laudable by Ashton: "He's a game-changer," the coach said of the player, "a play here, a play there. In the second half they really started to converge on him with bodies and our guys did a good job running off him, and that created a lot of holes. Not only does he make plays, but other teams are so aware of him, he creates space just with his presence."</p>
<p>It was a good night for United on the out-of-town scoreboard as well, with 2-2 draws by New York (against Chicago) and by Philadelphia (against Dallas) bringing <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings">United within one point of third place</a> (and an automatic playoff spot) in the Eastern Conference. Even better news is that United has played just 22 games, tied with Philadelphia for the fewest in the conference. It should be a very tight race over the final two months. </p>
<p>The one sour note on the evening was the yellow card issued to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110931/charlie-davies">Charlie Davies</a> in the 60th minute for dissent. At least, it was dissent according to the official box score. The American international apparently said a few magic words to referee Hilario Grajeda when he did not award Davies a free kick on the halfway line (Davies was not available for comment after the game). In the locker room, United President Kevin Payne asked one of the United PR staff to check if Davies had suffered any fouls since being fined $1,000 for <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/2011/6/24/2242786/mls-fines-d-c-united-striker-charlie-davies-1000-for-dive-vs-real">this piece of showmanship</a> back on June 18 against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a>.</p>
<p>I did a little digging for myself, and found that in six appearances since the fine, Davies had suffered six fouls. By comparison, Davies had suffered 11 fouls in 12 appearances prior to the fine. By straight averages, it seems pretty consistent. However, the foul calls do cluster on a game-by-game basis. For example, Davies has made five appearances (totaling 230 minutes) in games where he hasn't suffered a foul at all. But on the other hand, Davies has suffered three fouls in a game twice (April 29 at Colorado and July 16 at FC Dallas, on either side of the fine line, if you'll pardon the expression). It probably speaks more to the inconsistency of MLS officiating than any conspiracy on the league's part, but it will be worth watching down the stretch of this season.</p>
<p>OK, enough for now. Ratings and Joe Willis feature soon. United next play on Thursday night at the Chicago Fire. That match kicks off at 9:00 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN2.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/8/13/2361987/d-c-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-chad-ashton-praises-game-changerSamuel Chamberlain2011-08-13T21:26:09-04:002011-08-13T21:26:09-04:00D.C. United Vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: Goals From Chris Pontius, Andy Najar, and Stephen King Lock Up Three Points
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<p>This time, D.C. United didn't falter at home. Second-half goals from <span>Chris Pontius</span>, <span>Andy Najar</span>, and <span>Stephen King</span> put the game out of reach of the visiting <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/">Vancouver Whitecaps</a>, and the defense held out to give <span>Joe Willis</span> a 4-0 shutout win in his first-ever professional match.</p>
<p>United scored on their first major attack of the second half in the 48th minute. A long ball from United's own half by <span>Santino Quaranta</span> fell kindly to Najar, who raced to the end line and tried a tame-looking shot that somehow manaed to squeeze between the arms and legs of <span>Jay Nolly</span> and into the net to make the score 2-0.</p>
<p>That goal just about finished off Vancouver, who only had one good chance the rest of the evening. That came in the 66th minute, when <span>Eric Hassli</span> got on the end of a left-wing cross by <span>Jonathan Leathers</span>. However, Willis got across the goal mouth in plenty of time to block the point-blank chance. United almost had their third goal immediately following, but <span>Dwayne De Rosario</span> hit the post with a shot before firing the rebound high.</p>
<p>The third goal came with 70 minutes gone after a neat interchange of passes between Pontius, De Rosario and King. The passage appeared to end when King's shot was blocked by a Vancouver defender, but the rebound spun right to Pontius, who banged the ball into the open net via the underside of the crossbar. </p>
<p>De Rosario, not King, should have bagged United's fourth with ten minutes left, but the Canadian could only redirect <span>Marc Burch</span>'s left-wing cross high and wide from close range. King picked his teammate up on United's very next attack, when he was found unmarked in the center of the box and rolled the ball into the net with 81 minutes gone.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/8/13/2361904/d-c-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-goals-from-chris-pontius-andy-najarSamuel Chamberlain2011-08-13T20:31:17-04:002011-08-13T20:31:17-04:00D.C. United Vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: Chris Pontius' Goal Puts United Up 1-0 At Halftime
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<p><span>Chris Pontius</span>' goal in first-half stoppage time has D.C. United up 1-0 on the expansion <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/">Vancouver Whitecaps</a> as the Black-and-Red seek their first win at RFK since May 4.</p>
<p>Pontius' goal was made almost entirely by <span>Dwayne De Rosario</span>, who twisted and turned away from three Vancouver defenders before flicking a perfect cross across the edge of the six-yard area. The ball eluded the dive of Whitecaps keeper <span>Jay Nolly</span> and presented itself perfectly for a sliding Pontius to redirect into the net.</p>
<p>The home side had the most possession and the most chances early in the first half, and very nearly went ahead ten minutes in when Dwayne De Rosario, playing as a second forward alongside <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110931/charlie-davies">Charlie Davies</a>, redirected a Chris Pontius ball just wide of the net. Four minutes later, after a cheap giveaway by Vancouver, <span>Santino Quaranta</span> -- making consecutive starts for the first time since April 9 -- raced forward and stung a shot that swerved just wide from about 35 yards out.</p>
<p>As the half wore on, however, United's attack began to run out of ideas, with Charlie Davies --in the starting lineup for the first time since July 20--particularly profligate with the ball up front. In fact, it was only through the intervention of rookie goalkeeper <span>Joe Willis</span> that United avoided falling behind prior to halftime.</p>
<p>In the 40th minute, Whitecaps striker <span>Camilo Sanvezzo</span> won a soft free kick about 20 yards from D.C. United's net. Willis dove as far as he could to his right and was able to deflect Camilo's shot upward and off the underside of the crossbar. In the madness that followed, <span>Jordan Harvey</span> had a chance blocked by <span>Daniel Woolard</span>, and both <span>Jonathan Leathers</span> and <span>Gershon Koffie</span> had chances at the loose rebound, but neither defender could get the ball over the kneeling Willis, who was eventually able to grab the bouncing ball and hold on.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/8/13/2361846/d-c-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-chris-pontius-goal-has-united-up-1Samuel Chamberlain2011-08-13T17:00:39-04:002011-08-13T17:00:39-04:00D.C. United Vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: United Go In Search Of Elusive Home Win
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<p>United are still on the hunt for their first home win since May 4 as they host the Vancouver Whitecaps. </p> <p>D.C. United have had a full seven days to both recover from last <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-06-dc-united-vs-toronto-fc/recap">Saturday's absolutely bonkers 3-3 home draw </a>against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> and reflect on the fact that they haven't won a home match since May 4, when they defeated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a> 2-1. If you need a further frame of reference, that was the same day the <a href="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlg=20102011,3,214&fr=false">Washington Capitals were swept </a>out of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Tampa Bay Lightning.</p>
<p>Luckily, the Black-and-Red get another chance at correcting that unfortunate track record tonight, as the expansion <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/">Vancouver Whitecaps</a> roll up to RFK and bring their 0-8-4 road record with them.</p>
<p><b>D.C. United (6-6-9) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (3-11-9)</b></p>
<p><b>When: </b>7:30 p.m., Saturday, August 13.</p>
<p><b>Where: </b>RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C.</p>
<p><b>TV: </b>Comcast SportsNet (<a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/2011/8/10/2356325/d-c-united-match-at-sporting-kansas-city-pushed-back-90-minutes-to-be">yes, live this time</a>)</p>
<p><b>Team News And Tactics</b></p>
<p><b>D.C. United:</b> <span>Bill Hamid</span> will miss this game after <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-06-dc-united-vs-toronto-fc/highlights?videoID=17919">picking up a red card against Toronto</a> (as will Ben Olsen, who will watch the match from the owner's box after <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-06-dc-united-vs-toronto-fc/highlights?videoID=17946">this bit of unpleasantness</a>). The betting here is that <span>Steve Cronin</span> will get the start despite his disappointing stand-in performance. <span>Andy Najar</span> returns from his red-card mandated suspension tonight, which will likely push <span>Santino Quaranta</span> to the bench. <span>Stephen King</span> will likely get a second straight start in central midfield, with <span>Dwayne De Rosario</span> playing more of an attacking midfield role alongside <span>Chris Pontius</span> and <span>Josh Wolff</span>. My guess is that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110931/charlie-davies">Charlie Davies</a> will start this match on the bench as he continues to work his way back from a knee injury.</p>
<p><b>Vancouver Whitecaps: </b>The first name on the teamsheet for former D.C. United coach Tom Soehn is French striker <span>Eric Hassli</span>, who scored twice in Vancouver's 4-2 home win over Chicago last Sunday. After that, however, things get a bit more complicated. U.S. international <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110907/jay-demerit">Jay DeMerit</a> is <a href="http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Road+block+Whitecaps+looking+break+through/5248276/story.html?cid=megadrop_story">reportedly fit to play</a> and is set to replace <span>Alain Rochat</span> in defense. <span>Camilo Sanvezzo</span> will either play as a second striker alongside Hassli or in an attacking midfield role just behind the Frenchman. Right midfield is see one spot filled by either <span>John Thorrington</span> or <span>Davide Chiumiento</span>, while <span>Shea Salinas</span>, <span>Peter Vagenas</span>, and <span>Gershon Koffie</span> are likely to fill out the rest of the Whitecaps midfield. </p>
<p><b>Key to the Game</b></p>
<p><b>Attack And Don't Stop: </b>Vancouver has the worst goal difference (-11) in the Western Conference for a good reason. DeMerit or no DeMerit, this is a bad defensive team. Whether Charlie Davies starts or not, D.C. United should be able to put a couple of goals past the Whitecaps and get off the winless home streak.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/dc-united/2011/8/13/2361153/d-c-united-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-united-go-in-search-of-elusive-homeSamuel Chamberlain