It is getting hot in the RFK Stadium kitchen. Supporter and media axes are being sharpened after the latest Black and Red black eye, this one a 2-0 loss at RFK Stadium.
With four points and just two goals scored in six matches, Ben Olsen’s team is last in the East … and the RFK faithful are anything but happy. Among the pressure points getting more and more of a squeeze these days, two names are coming up a lot.
One is a veteran of the beatings around here, Lionard Pajoy. (When it comes to whipping on this poor guy at ProSoccerTalk, we just usually call that a “Sunday.”)
Specifically, the questions continue to be asked about his ongoing ability to maintain starter status, never mind that he continues to underwhelm near goal. The Colombian striker has just one goal and just two shots on goal in six starts this year. Since the trade that brought Pajoy from Philly late last year, he has 4 goals and 11 shots on goal in 18 D.C. United matches.
The other central figure in all this, a newer one, is young Brazilian attacker Rafael. There seems to more debate on this one. He was removed at halftime Saturday despite finding himself in a few promising positions against the Red Bulls. On came veteran Dwayne De Rosario, but to marginal effect. “De Ro” has yet to look anything like the 2011 league MVP this season.
Tactically, defensive midfielder Perry Kitchen seems to be playing ahead of Rafeal, who was thought to be the more attack-minded of the midfield pair. Perhaps that helps explain the disconnect; we don’t really know about Rafael’s instructions.
Either way, Martin Shatzer, a wise Black and Red blogger who has seen more than his share of DCU contests, thought Rafael’s removal was 100 percent the right call. (Shatzer’s opinion is in the comments section … a very bitter comments section, at that.)Since we’ve spent so much time over the last 8 months hating Pajoy, I think it’s fair that we call attention to how poorly Rafael played tonight too. He lost the ball several occasions, wasn’t physically strong, and frequently cut the ball back instead of moving forward. I don’t think he won a single header against Olave, while meanwhile a much shorter Cahill was dominating our center backs in the air. I think Rafael’s lone positive contribution to this match was drawing a foul on Holgersson as the ball was rolling out of bounds. Subbing out Rafael for De Rosario at halftime was the right call and exactly what I would have done too.
Sounds like the young Brazilian is going to be sort of a hit-or-miss player for us.
(which might still be an upgrade over Pajoy, who is more of an all-miss player)”
Whoever is most to blame, and how much of this is on the still-young Olsen, the bottom line is this: United simply must gin up an attack that generated just three shots on goal Saturday, while losing their third in a row and second consecutive match at home.
Here’s what Olsen said following last night’s setback: