I know print can't convey the emotion with which the words were delivered, but I have to say, Soehn doesn't seem nearly as disturbed by this dismal performance as I would have expected.

I would have prefered, a la Perkins, "we've got to get a [bleeping] point. It's as simple as that. There's nothing else to say."

There won't be any goals, but when you die, on your deathbed, you'll receive total consciousness.

The defense was better because it was the Columbus Crew we were playing. We got beat plenty of times during the game and Gaven and his buddies missed shot after shot. 5 for most of backline and a 4 for Perkins against a team that can't even finish open shots on goal means the defense is certainly not fixed!!! The defense played better...sad.

I'd like to hear the team's opinion, and the league's opinion, on the Columbus fans coming over to the travelling support post game and pulling a gun.

No, this is not a joke.

What do you mean "the Columbus fans"? Were all 13k of them packing heat?

I'm not sure that "the team and the league" need to worry about this-- sounds like a police matter. How many tens of millions of folks have passed through turnstiles in 12 years of MLS and this is the first thing like it? Sounds random as hell to me, and if you police for random you create a police state.

Those were two bad teams on the field! The good news is that DCU has some potential. I don't see the same for CLB. Is this a coaching problem? Fred was clearly top player on the field too bad no one else really elevatated game to his level. What was Gros doing when he headed the ball toward the penalty spot allowing Ezra a second shot?

Re: "MORE YUENGLING" -- if you really, truly, honestly believe that "the team and the league" don't need to worry about fans with guns confronting travelling support post-game, you're living in a fantasyland. The fans support for this sport and this league is not so sturdy that a legitimate risk of injury to those travelling in numbers greater than 3 to support their team can be afforded, and afforded to be publicized. People I care about had a gun within a couple yards of their breastbone this evening. Trivialize that however makes you feel good at night.

as a Columbus fan and season ticket holder, I apologize for whoever that idiot was who did such a deplorable thing. Please note that no true Crew fan would do something so stupid, especially after winning a game. I'm glad no-one got hurt.

I love Benny, but he should be the 4th defender in a new 442. he has no clue what to do in the final third.

Who pulled a gun on the what now? Can someone link to a forum or blog where the whole story is explained?

and i wonder, still i wonder, who'll stop the rain?

Even a poor game with Gomez until the end gives us a chance. Soehn should watch "more tape".

Just arrived home from the game, and having seen it in person with the traveling support, one of United's biggest problems is trying to be too darn cute with the last little layoff pass. This has been a problem in the past, and must be stopped. Just shoot the d*mn ball once in a while and it might go in. I've also seen more players have passes intercepted and being stripped of the ball than ever before...and our tackling was terribly ineffective. Jaime...looked like he was phoning it in. Fred was very good, but he needs to shoot when the chance it there. Laying it off for a poor cross from the wing happened too often. Agree that Moose brought energy to the team. Also agree w/ one poster who said that Ben had no clue in the final third. Have to agree also that Soehn just doesn't seem too concerned with the level of play, and that is terribly worrying. How many more performances like this before the "Fire Soehn" banner is diplayed at RFK?

the team seems to be taking on the personality of the coach. we'll be fine. it's a long season and with a play-off even LA could win,however, Supporter's Cup should be the standard of a team's dominance

"Support's Shield" or whatever. Many props to Barra Brava and everyone else who traveled to the game. everyone who love's DCU supports you. (even though your fire crackers put a whole in my shorts and smoke bombs suffocated me game 1 last yr)

"It is a sublime thing to suffer and be stronger."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

three words: four four two.

Ben Olsen said that the defense played better, what a joke. The crew if they had taken advantage of clear chances should have had 3 goals. One thing that I think is getting old is when defenders are making very poor tackles and not even coming close to the ball. They tackle as if they were in grade school. Soehn needs to challenge his players and maybe call them out. I hope he can do that.

Gomez and Carroll seem to have checked out and were justifiably yanked early. But why Moose, he was not much better. At the professional level energy is not enough, it must be allied with technique. I did not see him as an effective answer. Is he the best we have on the bench?? If so, stand by for a long season. What about our U-20 wonderkind Arguez? Why not put him into the fire. Or why not slot Fred into center mid for Gomez and play Moose wide (if at all). Or why not put Moreno in the A-mid spot as was done when Marco was suspended. He can do that easily then use a new attacker. I am beginning to seriously question the judgement of Soehn in his substitutions. This was a loss to Columbus, we are not good right now.

Ben Olsen said that the defense played better, what a joke. The crew if they had taken advantage of clear chances should have had 3 goals.

One thing that I think is getting old is when defenders are making very poor tackles and not even coming close to the ball. They tackle as if they were in grade school. Soehn needs to challenge his players and maybe call them out. I hope he can do that.

I don't get why all the praise from Fred? He looks like Freddy from his first year, lots of individual play and while trying to dribble past a defender he gets dispossessed easily.

If we score our season average in goals this game, we win.

This looks like the same team that played the second half of last season. Why is it a surprise to anyone?

Its a rebuilding year...

So teams have figured out the way to beat us is to put pressure on our back line . . why? Because United can't play the ball out of the back with any consistency or accuracy. Long balls go to no one. Short ones end up, more often than not, as turnovers in the middle third.

No passion, no fight, no goals, no win.

Steve,

Can you shed any light on what the heck happened with the TV coverage last night. You have a whole host of very, very angry fans.

Its unbelievable that we have an away game blacked out. And in my case since I have both Directv Sports Pack and Direct Kick I seem to have paid twice for the privilege of a blacked out game.

What is going on that CSN is paying for exclusive rights NOT to show a game and turn off its viewership. Extending sportsnight to talk about about low level NFL Draft picks or commentary about a Wizards loss in favor of a live DC United game is absurd, especially when fans have paid a premium to watch DC United.

It's still very early, gents. How bad would it suck though having MLS Cup at RFK and then we don't even make the playoffs. I am dreaming of 45k to us and the Galaxy. Don't screw this up Soehn.

Fire Soehn.

Quoting Steve: What is going on that CSN is paying for exclusive rights NOT to show a game and turn off its viewership. Extending sportsnight to talk about about low level NFL Draft picks or commentary about a Wizards loss in favor of a live DC United game is absurd, especially when fans have paid a premium to watch DC United.

At least in Vienna, the game was on Comcast starting about 8:45 because the Wizards game went long and CSN played their entire 30 minute SportsNite show. No biggie, just waited a little longer.

Re: above post.

I think I understand what happened. Comcast Cable (not CSN) didn't show the match. Sorry, I didn't understand.

Very unfortunate situation to not be able to watch the game, to be sure.

As far as the gun incident, I was at the game with the Barra/Eagles collective. Leaving the stadium, 2 Crew fans began to taunt about 10 of us. A small scuffle broke out, but I don't think any real punches were thrown. I was already on thin ice, so JSF dragged me away from the altercation before I could get involved. Apparently the scuffle went on towards the parking lot, where one of the guys pulled a Beretta out. I'm not 100% sure of what happened after that, but I'm guessing as the others involved get home and get online, the details will come out.

that was a terrible showing for united. all the way around. they must turn this around. and i cant even blame it on facundo. score would of been 3-0 or 4-0 if he was in tho

I am really upset with Comcast. I forked out $70+ for DirectKick earlier on Saturday. And then Comcast DC decides for some unknown reason to blackout the game I actually wanted to watch. (From the sound of it though, it was probably all for the better that I didn't waste time with it.)

What recourse do we have with Comcast? Should they be asked for a partial refund?

Comcast is a joke. Let's talk about the Redskins pathetic draft for the umpteenth time. Let's be honest, Comcast is the home where 2nd and 3rd rate sports reporters go to die.

Maybe Tom Soehn will end up being a good coach but I have to say he's not looking so hot to start out. Peter certainly had these guys playing better when he was here. I kept hearing the announcers talking about DC likes to spread the ball, swing the point of attack etc etc. And it occurred to me that they were describing the DC United coached by Peter Novak. Not these guys. At least not in the first 3 league games. It's awful to watch.

Well that was an interesting weekend to say the least. From my seat I just didn't see any passion or urgency in the team. I think Soehn needs to throw a chair thru a window or something. The whole first half they out-United us. They played the possesion game and we hardly crossed midfield. Pathetic...

One other thing, let's not brand all Crew fans because of the action of one idiot. Hopefully that was an isolated incident and we can move on and get on with the rest of the season.

We're trying to play combinations down the middle of the field in the final third. Other teams are packing their defenders into that space.

How about beating their backs to the endline and getting some crosses in? How many crosses from the endline have we had this season? Three??

We're playing like the Columbian's in the 94 world cup. Too arrogant and cute.

At this point, you have to start questioning the coaching tactics. It seems that this team has not had the same reaction to Soehn as they did to the authoritarian, Nowak. Plus, I just do not think we are talented enough on the backline. Gomez has been almost nonexistent besides his free kick goal against KC. We desperately need a point.

Unless something changes, player attitude/coach/formation, it's just not going to get any better. This may be our worst finish yet if we carry on like we only have a small problem. w have a big problem and that calls for a big solution.

Actually I benefitted from the DirecTV mishap. I carry the sports package in order to get FSC and GolTV and by chance stumbled upon Comcast Sportsnet and they didn't black out the game. I guess it was because it was on delay (although only an hour). Regardless, I got a game for free :)!