Saturday's SuperLiga kickoff match at RFK Stadium features D.C. United and Chivas de Guadalajara, the two most successful clubs in their respective nations' histories. But the hosts are also hoping it features an exorcism of history -- a reversal of last season's unhappy encounters with the Mexican giants in both CONCACAF Champions' Cup and Copa Sudamericana action.
This week has given United new confidence in approaching the task. After all, if D.C. can beat the Chicago Fire in a knockout competition, as they did for the first time ever in Tuesday's U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal despite their 0-8 record in previous such situations, why not Chivas?
"We believe in ourselves now," said midfielder Clyde Simms. "I think that was a problem at the beginning of the season. But we definitely do now. We know we have a good team, no matter who's on the field, and that's the key. The past is the past and you just put it behind you."
Last month's 2-1 comeback league win in Chicago -- achieved while playing a man down -- gave D.C. powerful confidence, not only to erase early deficits but also in their ability to overcome that discouraging past. The Black-and-Red have seemingly forgotten how to lose since that June 7 match, and now hope that one victory can help spark similar success in the international tournaments which have brought so much heartbreak over the years.
"Definitely, winning in Chicago helped us," said Bryan Namoff. "That was the start of our winning streak. I think it's definitely helped us progress throughout the year so far. It also helped us with the mentality that regardless if we're down 1-0, that there's always a chance to come back."
In only four meetings, United and Chivas have quickly built a compelling rivalry, fueled by high stakes, passionate supporters on both sides and the fierce antagonism between the United States and Mexico at the international level. The tightly contested nature of all four matches has helped, too: few fans will soon forget Simms' famous matchwinner in the Copa Sudamericana opener at RFK in September, or the tragic slip of goalkeeper Troy Perkins' fingertips that handed Champions' Cup victory to Chivas last April.
"You know, we've had a good rivalry with them," said D.C. boss Tom Soehn. "It's someone that we're familiar with: they're organized, they're disciplined. You can't afford to give them too many opportunities, and they're not going to give you too many opportunities."
Some of United's more prominent tormentors from last season are no longer wearing the revered red-and-white jersey, thanks to quirky striker Adolfo "Bofo" Bautista's transfer to Chiapas and club hero Omar Bravo having decided to try his hand in Spain's La Liga with Deportivo de la Coruña.
But manager Efrain Garcia can call on Ramon Morales, Alberto Morales and a host of talented youngsters, and RFK will still pulse with life as the noisy United faithful meet the challenge presented by the zealous Chivas contingents that travel from far afield to support Mexico's most popular club.
"El Rebaño Sagrado" are still in the early stages of their preseason preparations, but their MLS counterparts show little inclination to make allowances, having themselves dealt with a similar situation last year.
"It's always a battle with them so I think we're excited for it," said Simms. "I know they'll be in their offseason, so hopefully we can take advantage of them, kind of like they've done us in the past. ... So the tables will be turned a little bit."
Despite their string of positive results, United face several areas of uncertainty as they enter SuperLiga. Playmaker Marcelo Gallardo continues to grapple with a lingering groin injury, even after nearly two weeks of rest from match play. The Argentinean received a cortisone shot this week in search of relief, but evaluations conducted during Friday's training session forced the D.C. training staff to rule him out for the Chivas clash.
His absence intensifies the spotlight on Jaime Moreno. United's captain must overcome recent abdominal and hamstring niggles in order to reach full speed on Saturday, when he'll be depended upon to conduct his team's attack.
The other concern is the field itself. Last week RFK hosted a massive tournament featuring Ethiopian expatriate teams from across North America, and dozens of games in a few days' span tore the already weathered turf to shreds. The stadium authority laid down new grass on Tuesday and Wednesday, leaving minimal time for the surface to bed in before a testing span of three matches in eight days.
But if United can sustain their newfound self-belief, even a dinged No. 10 and a bumpy pitch could become mere speed bumps on the march forward.
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
