D.C. hopes break brings refreshment
Black-and-Red enjoying rare week off
Tuesday's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match against Chicago is close at hand. But United has emphasized rest and recovery for the entire squad, especially veterans and everyday starters, giving the team both Saturday and Sunday off. Head coach Tom Soehn -- a known workaholic -- even took off a couple of days early, leaving assistant Chad Ashton to run Thursday and Friday's training sessions. Many players and other club employees are taking the opportunity to escape town for a few days, heading to Eastern Shore beaches and other nearby destinations.
"I think it's good to get away and rejuvenate a bit, and when you come back, be a little bit more happy to see the people that you work with every day," said goalkeeper Zach Wells. "It's important to get a couple days away from work, whatever your job is. So hopefully this will be good for us."
Wells was one of a few regulars to see extended action in last Tuesday's 2-0 Open Cup win against the Rochester Rhinos, a match that turned everyday starters like Jaime Moreno, Marcelo Gallardo, Gonzalo Peralta and Bryan Namoff into spectators, to their obvious enjoyment.
"Yeah, when we walked out [at the beginning of the match], I heard Peralta and them in the stands," said reserve midfielder Quavas Kirk. "It was pretty funny to see them up there having fun."
Afterwards, Soehn sounded almost apologetic about the fact that defender Devon McTavish was forced to play the entire match, having played the full 90 against Los Angeles just two days prior -- but the awarding of a CONCACAF Champions League qualifying spot to the Open Cup winner has clearly given focus to MLS players who might have struggled for motivation in Open Cups past, making it easier to laugh at the veterans in the bleachers.
"They're a little farther on in their careers, I guess they deserve a lot of days off," said McTavish, with tongue firmly in cheek. "This year it's important for the Open Cup that we do well, it's a gateway to the CONCACAF tournament next year, so if he wants me to play, then I'll be more than happy to play. ... Open Cup is tough, because they kind of just fit it in with the busy schedule that we have. So you don't always have the right players, or if you do, they're usually tired."
The Rochester match offered several reserves their first meaningful action of the year, and it seems likely that Soehn and his staff will continue that pattern against the Fire, allowing some veterans to enjoy nearly two weeks of recovery before United's SuperLiga opener against Chivas de Guadalajara on July 12. Although D.C.'s schedule has not been particularly crowded of late, a psychological respite from the daily grind can be particularly valuable at this point in the campaign -- and if D.C. can secure a result next week, Soehn might well bring his leading lights into the picture as the Dewar Cup gets closer.
"It's good for you, not only to rest physically but mentally, also -- to get away from the game for a little bit and get recharged for another stretch," said Clyde Simms. "In the last few weeks we've only had one game a week, so that always helps. When you start getting those midweek games in there, that gets real tough. So we've been a little fortunate so far, but it's going to heat up with SuperLiga and Open Cup coming up."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
