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Mismatch United heavily favored over second-year Fusion
Posted: Saturday October 16, 1999 11:42 AM
ATLANTA (CNN/SI) -- D.C. United and the Miami Fuison square off in what -- at first glance -- appears to be the most mismatched of all the MLS playoff series. The Fusion clinched the final Eastern Conference berth on the final day of the season with a record-low 29 points. Perennial power United, by contrast, clinched a playoff berth way back on Aug. 28. The series is a rematch of last-year's first-round, when the Fusion played the then-two-time defending league champs surprisingly tough, falling in two close games. In '98, the expansion Fusion split the season series, being outscored only 9-8, and put a scare into United in the playoffs. This year, D.C. outscored Miami 22-13 and the best the Fusion could do was force a shootout on Aug. 21 before losing. United comes with a little luster from its first three seasons missing, having lost in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. But by almost all accounts they still are the class of the league. DC has injuries to midfielder Marco Etcheverry, who is likely to play, and defender Carlos Llamosa, who will not. After a horrible start and coach-player spat that saw the departure of Carlos Valderrama, Miami outlasted New England for final playoff spot. But it scored the second-fewest goals (42) of any of playoff team and allowed the most (59). "This has been a good week," United coach Thomas Rongen told the Washington Post. "We needed to rest our bodies and our souls, and we've really stepped things up the last few days. We're back where we need to be. We're bubbly, we're focused, we're in tune. You can tell, the way the players have responded, that we are ready." If they're intimidated, however, Fusion players didn't show it. "There definitely are a couple of things working in our favor," Fusion forward Eric Wynalda told the Miami Herald. "D.C. isn't in the best form. I still think they're the best team in the league, but they've struggled the last few weeks and I think they'll be surprised by us. I believe in our team. I can't say I felt that way all year, but now, I look to the right of me and the left of me, and I say, `Hey, we've really got a chance." The series has been physical, with eight ejections in 10 games, including a league-record four on Aug. 21, a 4-3 shootout win for D.C. D.C. leads the league in ejections and cautions, and the Fusion is second in both categories.
Analysis by CNN/SI's Michael Lewis:Let's face it. Anything less than a D.C. sweep would be mind-boggling. While United's defense has struggled and has an obvious weak link in the net, D.C.'s attack -- midfielder Marco Etcheverry and forwards Roy Lassiter and Jaime Moreno -- should carry the team. One interesting fact -- the regular-season point champion in two of the first three seasons has failed to win the MLS Cup -- the Galaxy in 1996 and 1998. United, which won the double in 1996, will be trying to buck that trend. The Fusion has the W&W boys -- Eric Wynalda and Welton -- who were brought in from the San Jose Clash and Galaxy, respectively. That won't be enough to overcome the United juggernaut. The scuttlebutt out of South Florida is that management has mandated beleaguered coach Ivo Wortmann to start several players, including midfielder Jim Rooney, who had been in the coach's doghouse. Don't be surprised if Miami starts looking for a new coach in several weeks. The Fusion's players have not echoed the criticism heaped on Wortmann this season by fans. ``I have never had a coach put as much heart and soul into his job as Ivo,'' said Wynalda. The verdict: The one big mismatch of the opening round. Why don't we award United an automatic berth to the conference finals? United in two. Regular sesaon: United -- 23-9 (1st place); Fusion -- 13-19 (4th place)
Leading scorers (vs. Opponent in 1999)
D.C. United Playoff HistoryFor the first time in its team's storied playoff history, D.C. United enters the 1999 MLS postseason without head coach Bruce Arena, who left to oversee the men's U.S. national team. Current coach Thomas Rongen, who recently signed a two-year contract extension with the club, hopes to improve (if possible) on the team's 14-3 all-time playoff record (including MLS Cup games). United has defeated every East opponent at least once in a playoff series, and reeled off 13 consecutive victories en route to MLS Cup titles in 1996 and 1997. In addition, the Black-and-Red is an impenetrable 9-0 at East Capitol Street, including a 2-1 victory against the Colorado Rapids in front of a sold-out crowd of 57,431 in MLS Cup '97.All-Time Playoff Record: 14-3
D.C. United Player to WatchUnited forward Roy Lassiter enters this post-season as the league's all-time leading playoff scorer, with 10 goals in as many career games. One of few United stars without at least one championship ring, Lassiter also enters the playoffs after an intense battle with Dallas forward Jason Kreis for the 1999 scoring championship. Lassiter won that crown in 1996 with 27 goals and four assists.D.C. United Quick FactsMiami Fusion Playoff HistoryWith a seemingly improbable two-game home-and-home sweep of D.C. United late in the 1998 season, the expansion Miami Fusion snared the fourth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot by one point over Tampa Bay. The team's reward for coming through in the clutch? A first-round series with D.C. United. The result? A two-games-to-none series loss, although the Fusion displayed a fight and spirit that might have forced a less experienced team than D.C. to wilt. With Miami outdistancing New England for the fourth playoff spot this year, the Fusion will get a chance to avenge that D.C. playoff sweep.All-Time Playoff Record: 0-2
Miami Fusion Player to WatchMiami Fusion forward Eric Wynalda will make his first post-season appearance since a 2-1 series loss to eventual Western Conference champion Los Angeles during his 1996 days with the San Jose Clash. Wynalda, who scored two goals and added one assist in six games after returning from knee surgery, has teamed with another Western castoff, Welton, to provide a spicy Fusion attack in the absence of injured Miami forward Diego Serna.Miami Fusion Quick Facts
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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