Man of the Match: Bernardo Corradi’s big effort helped set the pace for Montreal, as the busy Impact forward had the will near goal to help his club collect its first road Major League Soccer road points. The former Italian international won headers early, nearly scored on a hard near post run and then found the goal on a cross to the back post. Just after the important strike, he nicely set up Collen Warner, who missed just to the right.
Packaged for take-away:
- Lots of hot-button talk about United Designated Player Branko Boskovic in 3 .. 2 … 1 …
- It would be easy to say Maicon Santos’ introduction in the 61st minute changed things for D.C. United’s rudderless attack; his will and energy certainly helped add some pep. But it was so much more than that. When Santos came on he partnered with Chris Pontius at forward while Dwayne De Rosario dropped into the midfield in place of the drifting and ineffective Boskovic. That was the change that mattered even more.
- De Rosario’s willingness to insert himself sharply into attacking positions created the chaos in Montreal’s defense that opened scoring chances that just weren’t there before.
- Consider that D.C. United didn’t even have a shot on goal until Santos’ 65th minute effort. A few minutes later, the home team was on the board.
- Further, Boskovic’s movement is so sluggish and undefined, he’s often crowding the midfield. Once he left and De Rosario took the central midfield position next to Perry Kitchen, Kitchen’s distribution from the holding areas became less cluttered, more purposeful.
- Bottom line here, I am trying really, really hard to see what Boskovic is adding to this team. I could go on and on about what the man doesn’t do; I just don’t see what his base contribution might be. We are seven weeks into the MLS season. He should be fit. He should be making a difference.
- So, totaling up the DP tally around RFK: They have three of them. De Rosario has yet to score, but he’s doing fine, making things happen. Boskovic just made his second start, and manager Ben Olsen needs to think long and hard about whether a third is best for the team. Hamdi Salihi, the team’s third DP, didn’t play at all Wednesday. Any way you slice it, there’s a whole bunch there to sort out -- especially with players like Chris Pontius, Nick DeLeon and Andy Najar looking hungry and up for the job. They just need a playmaker around them who is more involved.
- Early for Montreal, Sanna Nyassi looked like the most dangerous man, troubling United left back Daniel Woolard. Later, Lamar Neagle came in for the tiring Nyassi, and he added some punch to Montreal’s attack.
- Justin Mapp had two glistening opportunities for the Impact but failed to turn either into something on goal, mostly because he didn’t have confidence in his right foot. One was a pass that needed to be better for Davey Arnaud, and one was a shot he passed up from point blank range. It’s OK to be better with one foot, but at this point in his career he needs to be competent enough with either at the moment of truth.