D.C. United are eagerly eyeing their prospects of winning a historic 12th major trophy Wednesday as they prepare to play host to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final at RFK Stadium. But to do so they'll have to negotiate a dicey matchup against a lower-division opponent, the Charleston Battery, whose storybook tourney run leaves United firmly planted in the uncomfortable position of big-league bully.
The Battery are certainly enjoying their ongoing underdog role, however. The USL-1 side has twice vanquished MLS opposition in this year's Open Cup, upsetting defending MLS Cup champs Houston Dynamo in the third round before hitting the road to knock off FC Dallas in the quarterfinals. Even Charleston's semifinal opponent was an imposing favorite: Though technically their USL equals, the Seattle Sounders are set to become an MLS expansion team for 2009. Yet the Battery won that clash too, via a tension-fraught penalty-kick shootout that left little doubt about their Cinderella credentials.
The situation has D.C. feeling understandably wary. United's recent U.S. Open Cup history is littered with upsets to lower-league sides and the Black-and-Red know that Charleston will arrive in the nation's capital bursting with motivation.
"Those teams are always tough," said midfielder Clyde Simms. "I know we've struggled in the past with those teams and I think the key is just to concentrate on us, not taking them too lightly."
This cup final also arrives at a frenetic time for D.C., with a tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference and CONCACAF Champions League action on the horizon. Yet head coach Tom Soehn's options have continually been limited by injuries throughout his squad, though Saturday's league draw with New York provided a bright spot with the substitute appearance of star playmaker Marcelo Gallardo after an extended absence due to sports hernia troubles.
"It's a very busy schedule, especially trying to lead into playoffs. It's a crazy schedule," said defender Devon McTavish. "The U.S. Open Cup final is important for us for CONCACAF next year, and of course just being U.S. Open Cup champions, that's another trophy. ... Every game matters right now."
While USL sides are often seen to place a higher value on the Open Cup than their MLS counterparts, the new wrinkle McTavish alluded to has fueled United's focus on the 94-year-old tournament and should help them match the Battery's passion.
Starting this year, the cup winner earns a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League. For a club which measures itself not only by domestic, but also regional success, such a lure is pivotal, especially with their prospects of a third consecutive Supporters' Shield looking faint at the moment.
More immediately, United are anxious to move on from Saturday's frustrating 0-0 draw with the Red Bulls at RFK, a result the home side viewed as a lost opportunity to move clear of their I-95 rivals in the standings.
"We're excited about the Open Cup," said Santino Quaranta afterwards. "It's going to be a good test for us because whenever you get to play for a trophy, theyre hard to come by, you know? And it's prestigious and we're excited to bounce back. But it's a tough one to take (Saturday). It feels like a loss, really."
United fans will hope that such sentiments help their team produce the energy, spirit and creativity needed to unlock a determined adversary bearing the hopes of an entire league. Simms can claim USL experience from a season with the Richmond Kickers, and he's continued to follow the goings-on in the second division via television coverage and word of mouth from former teammates.
"I watch a good amount of those games. I have a bunch of guys I've played with in the past playing on some of those teams," he said. "That league is pretty good -- it's gotten a lot better ever since I played in it. And I think they have some teams that could definitely compete in MLS."
Battery goalkeeper Dusty Hudock spent time in the nets for the Colorado Rapids, Chicago Fire and Miami Fusion earlier in his career and has been a key element of his team's run to the final. He'll pose a challenge to the United front line, the composition of which is in some doubt thanks to Luciano Emilio's tweaked groin over the weekend. The Brazilian could split time with Francis Doe, who has returned from a foot infection but remains short of full match fitness, unless Soehn decides to use Quaranta up front.
At the other end, D.C. netminder Louis Crayton and his back line will look to continue their recent stinginess by blunting the threat posed by Charleston attackers Darren Spicer and United alum Lazo Alavanja, while Simms and Joe Vide face a lusty midfield battle with Cuban Osvaldo Alonso and South African Stephen Armstrong.
That confrontation might prove to be a bellwether for the match as a whole for United must match the Battery's toil and toughness if their skill and quality is to win the day.
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
