Dave’s Football Blog

I think we’ll stop short of calling this redemption for Major League Soccer, especially since the Barra Brava’s “Thank You Joe Public” banner told the world that D.C. United supporters were relishing the thrashing of the New England Revolution on Tuesday. Besides, MLS clubs are supposed to beat USL clubs at home, provided they actually give a shit. D.C. United did, and ultimately, their finishing was just a little stronger — even if Luciano Emilio had to leave the game with a groin injury after scoring his goal in the 5th minute.

Give Charleston the nod, though. They held possession well in the midfield, and they made plenty of opportunities. The Battery looked like they could hold their own in a full season of MLS play if given the opportunity. Alas, after their early equalizer, their finishing let them down, and a very close offside call in the final minute of stoppage time killed their last rally. (He was off, but just by a shoulder.)

So D.C. United have a trophy this year. Now the question is what will they do next. They have both the CONCACAF Champions League group stage and the run-up to the MLS Cup Playoffs ahead of them, and they’ve already secured their Champions League berth for next season. Which trophy do they pursue next? Do they take a shot at MLS Cup, or do they focus on the CCL group stage and shoot for an international trophy in early 2009? If you were in charge of D.C. United, which competition would you label as top priority? Because it’s plainly obvious this club is not deep enough to try and get both.