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United will stand Etcheverry to power D.C. in potential classic
Posted: Saturday November 20, 1999 02:45 PM
It is quite appropriate that MLS Cup '99 will be played at a neutral site -- Foxboro Stadium on Sunday. After all, D.C. United and the Los Angeles Galaxy won at each other's stadiums. The Galaxy registered a 2-1 victory at RFK Stadium on June 19, while United recorded a 2-0 win at the Rose Bowl on Sept. 25. It should be noted that United used essentially its second team against the Galaxy's starters in the second encounter, resting its regulars for the CONCACAF Champions Cup. There is little doubt that the two best teams in the league will meet for the title, because, for the first time in its history, the two regular-season conference winners will meet for the Cup. It will be difficult to top the drama and heroics the other time these two sides met for the MLS crown -- in 1996, when United rallied from a 2-0 deficit with 17 minutes remaining in regulation to register a 3-2 overtime triumph in the rain. It turned out to be one of the great matches in the history of the four-year-old league. If this finale is only half as good as that one, it will be a memorable confrontation. So, who is going to win? Let's take a gander at both teams:
GoalkeepersEven though he won MLS goalkeeper of the year honors, 25-year-old Kevin Hartman will be the first to tell you that he is still learning the game. Yet, he backstops the best defense in the league (record-low 29 goals) and has come up with the big save when needed. Tom Presthus, his United counterpart, also has been known to make vital saves. But if United has a potential Achilles heel, it is in goal. It's not that Presthus isn't any good, it's that weaknesses and inconsistencies in his game were exposed in the higher level of competition in the Championship Cup. Edge: Galaxy.
DefendersWhen healthy, United's backline of Diego Sonora, Carlos Llamosa, Eddie Pope and Jeff Agoos is arguably the best in the league. However, they performed as a foursome on only 13 occasions this regular season, with United going 9-4 in those games (14-5 in the rest of the games). While not as heralded as United, the Galaxy's defense ain't too shabby, either. Team captain and central defender Robin Fraser, the MLS defender of the year, heads a backline that allowed a record-low 29 goals. At 36, Paul Caligiuri used his experience and showed that he still has the legs to do it. Greg Vanney is arguably the second best left fullback in the league behind Agoos, while versatile Ezra Hendrickson is an offensive threat from the right side. Edge: Galaxy.
MidfieldersWhat a wonderful intriguing and talented cast of characters for each side. United traditionally has set the standard for MLS midfielders. It starts and literally ends with the marvelous Marco Etcheverry, who has a history of making the vital plays in the big games (see MLS Cup '96 and his virtuoso, one-goal, three-assist performance in the third semifinal match against Columbus this year). Etcheverry is supported by the right-sided and rising star Ben Olsen (five goals, 11 assists), who throws his body around without abandon. John Maessner, on the left flank, is more of a working midfielder. Richie Williams (56 fouls, four cautions, one ejection), is still one of the most pesky defensive midfielders around. He is someone you hate, but someone you would embrace if he was on your team. The Galaxy's middle four is just as impressive. L.A.'s attack also starts and ends with the magnificent Mauricio Cienfuegos (three goals, 17 assists). Roy Myers, dealt by the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in June, was a welcome addition (four goals, six assists), taking some of the pressure off of Cienfuegos. Clint Mathis (seven goals) is a rising star, but has a history of becoming undisciplined in key situations. Whether that will come back to haunt the Galaxy, it remains to be seen. Danny Pena is a different type of defensive midfielder than Williams, playing a take-no-prisoners style (career-high 55 fouls, 10 cautions). Edge: United.
Forwards
After enduring one of his worst career slumps, Roy Lassiter (18 goals, 11 assists) appears to have found the range, scoring twice against Columbus in the third game of the Eastern Conference finals. He can run hot or cold. When he's on, well, forget about it. On a team like United, Jaime Moreno (10 goals, 13 assists) can be underappreciated. But he contributes greatly to the team as a playmaking forward. While Jones did not come close to matching his numbers of a year ago (a drop from 19 to eight goals), his speed and reputation must be respected, especially in a one-game series. Mexican Carlos Hermosillo did not experience the season expected of him (only eight goals), but he has a history of scoring the important ones. There is, however, little depth after these two players. Edge: United.
BenchIt seems United can throw role player after role player at you. Need instant offense? Try A.J. Wood, who scored eight goals as a part-time starter and supersub. Looking for another defender or midfielder? Carey Talley (four goals, four assists) or Canadian veteran Geoff Aunger (2,128 minutes) will fit in just right. There are also up-and-coming players, such as Jason Moore, Chris Albright and Antonio Otero, who could wind up as stars of the future. The Galaxy isn't as deep, but it has defender Joe Franchino, defender-midfielder Steve Jolley, journeyman midfielder Jorge Salcedo, and midfielder-forward Simon Elliott (two goals, five assists). If coach Sigi Schmid needs to go to the bench for some instant offense, he might be hard-pressed. While it is highly unlikely that they will be called on, it should be remembered that Galaxy back-up keeper Matt Reis has played only 10 minutes this season, while United's Mark Simpson has logged nine games. Edge: United.
CoachesThomas Rongen, who inherited a talented team from U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena, knew a good thing when he saw it. Instead of tinkering with the team, he left it alone, and hence a 23-9 regular season. Sigi Schmid, one of the most respected coaches in the United States, inherited a struggling 3-3 team early on and changed the style from an all-out attacking side to a defensive one. It worked en route to a 20-12 and a first-place Western Conference finish. Edge: Galaxy.
IntangiblesEven though United has been in the final three times prior, it is still hungry, raising its game when it had to in the Columbus series. Heart and desire is something that cannot be measured. Also, United showed a lot by winning at the Rose Bowl with its second team. The Galaxy has become a much more disciplined team under Schmid, compared to its free-wheeling tactics of last year. United is 6-3 in the shootout, while the Galaxy is 3-4. Let's hope the game isn't decided by that tiebreaker, which will be eliminated next season. Edge: United.
And the winner is ...Etcheverry has a history of coming up big in big games. Three years ago he was marked out of the match by defensive midfielder Chris Armas (who repeated the feat with Chicago in last year's title game), but Etcheverry found a way to get his tenacious foe 10 yards away from him in MLS Cup '96. He did his damage on dead-ball situations, setting up teammates on free and corner kicks, including the game-winner on Eddie Pope's close-range header in OT. The Galaxy is talented and well-coached, but United knows how to win and has the deepest bench in the league, which can be vital down the stretch in a close game. This confrontation has the potential to be a classic. The prediction: United 2, Galaxy 1. Michael Lewis covers soccer for the New York Daily News and is editor of Soccer Magazine. To submit a question or comment to Michael Lewis, click here.
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