The End (Until the Concacaf Champions' Cup)

This was the first season that I've really followed DC United from start - watching them beat CD Olimpia away on FSC in Ithaca during my last months of college - to finish - looking through my fingers in my broken seat at RFK as the referee ended United's season.

From the regular season home start against Kansas City I think most of us realized that the central defense was always going to be the make or break factor this year. Trading Erpen for Vanney was like putting a not very stick band aid on a broken finger. For a while it worked and United ran off a string of shutouts during their all important run during the middle of the season where they sealed up the Supporter's Shield.

Then the wheels fell off - anyone who watched the regular season finale against Columbus got a glimpse of the end really. Unsure defending and not quite enough firepower in some tired legs.

Some memorable moments:

Emilio scoring the equalizer at home in the shitting rain against CD Guadalajara finally silencing the "Chivas!" chants after more than 90 minutes.

Everything ounce of energy Benny "The Beard" Olsen left on the field giving us one of the best seasons of his career.

A sold out RFK to see United take down the Beckham train on its first trip from the station.

The entire lower bowl (not just the loud side) on its feet for what turned out to be the last 15 minutes of United's season.

Until next year... when we'll hopefully have a deal for a new stadium (in the district?), a designated player (Veron??) and more of the highest expectations.

Things Heard at 600 N. Wakefield

On surviving Rockville for more than a year before moving to Arlington:

brian16lockard: you dont even know - but I guess sometimes the caviar doesnt taste as good unless you've had ramen first

Playoffs?? Playoffs???

Wanted to do a proper pre game write up for DC United and the Fire this evening (ESPN 2) but work does not allow for such things when you are hurrying to finish in order to tailgate appropriately.

So here we go:

Can the defense shore up enough to keep the series at one goal conceded? Going a goal down will make the task immensely more difficult.

How healthy are those two forwards?

Can Brian Carroll not stink? At least for a little while...

We'll find out and we'll get a write up, maybe tag team, tomorrow morning.

Vamos United!!!

The Core Returns to Speaking

After a lengthy hiatus acclimating to working life, I think that we are back on the air here. And I say we because I'm hoping to garner a little support from my writing pals to create some more regular content to put up here. Topics will likely be scattered but hopefully amusing enough to pull people from their usual work day distractions.

Anywho, we'll start small with what will probably be the last "Heard at the 918" post since WE ARE MOVING back to civilization (Arlington, Virginia) from the dark continent (Rockville, Maryland.

Compliments of Brian - [17:15] brian16lockard: I am racking my brain trying to figure out how to make me black

Welcome back to where we're not tired of using technology.

He's So Agile

Ben Olsen Confirms My Suspicions

As quoted by Soccer Insider

Olsen on Emilio: "I've never seen a guy so happy after he scores goals. He loves to score goals, and we love that he's scoring well and he definitely loves it as well. In the shower after he scores two goals, he's singing and dancing, he's pretty happy. He knows that, he admits it: he loves to score goals. As long as he's scoring and we're winning, it's a good situation."



See my Beckham post: "Can't help but love how much joy he gets from scoring. I hope he keeps enjoying himself."

Want to see the truth about the singing? No shower though, sorry ladies.

Healed by the Cosmic Rays

Everybody should have the joy of this guy in their life.