United remain hopeful in playoff chase
Reserve squad takes on Deportivo Saprissa while starters recover
Yet despite the steady stream of bad news -- and the tall task ahead -- hope survives inside the D.C. United locker room. Entering Sunday's daunting fixture in Houston, United remain in the playoff hunt even though they've won just two games in the last six weeks, a stark contrast to the in-form Dynamo, who have lost just two league games (and three matches overall) in the last four months.
"We're a little frustrated. This is normal -- we don't like losing games," said midfielder Ivan Guerrero on Wednesday. "It's difficult, because for me, this team is the best team in the league. The situation at the moment is not good. But we know that the season is in the next three games -- everything."
With those high stakes in mind, there's been little choice but to push Thursday night's CONCACAF Champions League match in Costa Rica against Deportivo Saprissa into the background. The squad has effectively been split in two this week as a 16-man reserve side travels south while veterans like Guerrero, Luciano Emilio, Fred and others stay in Washington to rest up for the final part of D.C.'s league calendar.
There is a certain level of pragmatism within the competition for United to take into account, as well, despite the importance international competition has always played within the club. United are winless -- and goalless -- in the first three games of the CCL, including a 2-0 loss to Saprissa at RFK two weeks ago -- and the inability to take all three points Thursday will guarantee their failure to advance to the knockout stage.
The loss of playmaker Marcelo Gallardo with a sprained MCL in his left knee represents a huge blow for the Black-and-Red, especially on top of Jaime Moreno's suspension, which will sideline the Bolivian for Sunday. The D.C. attack has been toothless in their absence, having scored just two goals in the last six matches in all competitions.
But United's Brazilian contingent remains determined to play a role in the home stretch despite their ongoing hamstring troubles. Emilio believes he's on track to make a substitute appearance against Dynamo, while Fred has rejected the standard prognosis for the Grade 2 strain he suffered against Chivas USA last weekend.
"I don't know if I can play 90 minutes, but I want to go back on the field. If I can play 30 minutes, for me it's very good. It's very important for me to get back on the field," said Emilio on Wednesday.
Last year's MLS MVP acknowledges the potential danger in coming back from such an injury prematurely. But he clearly recognizes the degree to which his team needs a cutting edge up top, especially against a Houston defense which ranks among the league's stingiest.
"There is a risk. But because I want to go back on the field step by step, maybe Sunday I play 20, 30 minutes -- step by step, because I worry about that," he said. "[Scoring against Dynamo] is a big challenge. We need to go there and work hard to score goals and win the game. I hope I can play."
His countryman Fred has now damaged the same hamstring in three different areas and several media outlets have classified him as out for the season. But he's shown himself to be a quick healer and team officials are cautiously optimistic that he could yet play a role in the season finale against Columbus on Oct. 26.
Yet the gregarious winger has set an even more ambitious goal for himself. Despite his own admission that he came back too early from the ailment earlier in the year, Fred has targeted next Thursday's date with the Revolution at RFK Stadium for a potential return to action.
"I think [the latest strain] had a lot to do with me coming back early and not having enough time to give it adequate rest," he said. "But that's just the way I am -- I always want to be on the field and probably that had some effect on coming back early in some instances, re-aggravating the injury. ... When I'm injured I'm always trying to come back, especially right now."
Such an aggressive approach would seem reckless were it not for United's precarious situation. But having endured a profound injury jinx this season, the squad has grown tired of the issue and sees little to lose by throwing caution to the wind.
"I don't know. Maybe it's bad luck that allowed the injuries," said Guerrero. "But that is no excuse for this situation. It's our responsibility. We have three more games now, and I hope we can win. It's difficult because we play against Houston, New England and Columbus. But we know we can do this."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
