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Building a dynasty United sets standard of excellence for MLS
Posted: Friday December 10, 1999 11:25 PM
When Major League Soccer's powers-that-be got together five years ago, they wanted to ensure that there wasn't going to be another New York Cosmos/NASL situation, with one team dominating the league. Well, they got their wish for the New York metropolitan market. The New York/New Jersey MetroStars are so off course that they are not taken seriously. Thanks to an all-time, league-worst record of 50-78, they have become the butt of all sorts of jokes around the league. Instead, a super-team was forged in the nation's capital in the form of D.C. United. You really can't get much better than what United has accomplished in four short seasons. The club has reached the MLS Cup in every season, winning three titles. The only aberration was in 1998, when the Chicago Fire capped off a miraculous expansion season with a championship. And that doesn't include the 1996 U.S. Open Cup crown and the 1998 InterAmerican Cup trophy, as United stunned Brazilian power Vasco da Gama. Even with the team being forced to trade Roy Lassiter to the Miami Fusion to complete the Chris Albright deal and to make sure the team is under the cap, there are very few signs that United is slowing down. Is a dynasty or domination good for the league? Yes, it is. Virtually every pro league in the United States worth its salt has had at least one team that has wound up on top of the heap for a good portion of the time. In baseball, it has been the New York Yankees. In hockey, it was the Montreal Canadiens. In basketball, the Boston Celtics ruled the roost for so many years. "I think it's terrific," MLS commissioner Don Garber said. "I live in New Jersey. I saw the Yankees win five World Series in a row. Dynasties are positive for sports." A team such as United sets the standard for the rest of the league and the bar at a high level. When there is talk of MLS outside of this country, D.C. United is usually the first team mentioned. "Good soccer is good for the league," said former United coach Bruce Arena, who now plies his trade as U.S. national coach. "In the first three years, they were so adamant about not allowing anyone to dominate. But if you have a team that does dominate, the others have to catch up. And when that happens, then you will have a real league." So, what makes D.C. United so good, so unique and so dominant? Let us count the many ways:
A great beginningThis team was build with great care, vision and purpose. General manager Kevin Payne and Arena knew exactly what they wanted, even if some of their early selections and decisions did not pan out. Take, for example, the very first allocation draft in February, 1996. United drafted with a purpose, selecting five players who performed at the University of Virginia, players whom Arena knew from his days as coach at the perennial NCAA Division I powerhouse. While some of those players did not pan out and aren't with United these days, Arena and Payne made their points. Two words: Marco EtcheverryEvery team needs a great central midfielder, a No. 10 to lead the way. Etcheverry has been there virtually every step of the way. Yes, there were some bumpy roads early on, when Etcheverry told the team it stunk and that he was never coming back when he left for Bolivian national team duty in the 1996 season. But Etcheverry stayed and became the most important player in club history. He has made an impact in the most important games, whether it was setting up three goals through free and corner kicks in United's incredible comeback victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy in MLS Cup '96, or creating three goals and scoring the fourth on a spectacular shot in the decisive third game in the 1999 Eastern Conference semifinal series with Columbus, which, incidentally, was a 4-0 D.C. triumph. While he did not enjoy a classic match in the 2-0 victory in the MLS Cup against the Galaxy last Sunday, it must be noted that it was Etcheverry's throw-in that started the sequence for United's first goal. He seems to be always in the middle of things.
"Marco is the best player in the league," said Arena. "He also has a healthy attitude. He accepts all his responsibilities on and off the field. He has a special personality. "Claudio Reyna [who performs with Glasgow Rangers] is the best American player, but he doesn't bring the kind of personality to the game that Marco does."
They play to winUnited can play the prettiest soccer in the league, but more importantly, the team plays to win, whether it has to be physical on the attack or defense. Did you know that Ben Olsen, a forward, finished third in the league in fouls committed with 65? They're an aggressive bunch when they have to be. "I thought the difference was that D.C. isn't afraid of booting the ball 60 yards away," Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid said. "We were almost too proud, trying to put together passes. D.C. is not afraid of putting their arms on people and playing physically." It wasn't brokeWhen he took over as United coach, Thomas Rongen could have allowed his ego to get in the way and tinker with the team and lineup. He realized what he had and made small changes when needed. The result was another excellent regular season and playoff run. Too many coaches feel they have to "coach" to show their worth. Rongen sat on his ego, and he has a championship ring to show for it. Some depth chargesThere seems to be at least one an experienced player on the bench at every position. There's goalkeeper Mark Simpson, who was in the nets during United's first championship run in 1996. There's Canadian Geoff Augner, who can fill in on defense, even though he has played as much time as a regular (2,128 minutes) this season. There's Carey Talley, who took the place of the ailing Diego Sonora at right back, and United didn't miss a beat. In the midfield, there's a host of young, up-and-coming players. And up front, there's super-sub A.J. Wood, who scored eight goals as an occasional starter and a late game replacement. The well never runs dryThey don't reload, they rebuild at United. In 1998, United was forced to unload forward Raul Diaz Arce to the New England Revolution due to salary cap restrictions. In 1999, the same went for former team captain and midfielder John Harkes, who also went to the Revs. Midfielder Tony Sanneh joined Hertha Berlin in the German Bundesliga, as well. Now, D.C. has lost forward Roy Lassiter and his 18 goals to the Miami Fusion to complete the acquisition of Project 40 player Chris Albright. Sonora, a perennial All-Star is expected to leave after receiving an offer to play at 40 percent less salary in 2000. Already in their place is Talley on defense, and Albright and Jason Moore on the attack. Did someone mention five MLS Cup appearances in as many years? 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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