DC United vs Sporting Kansas City: Three Key Takeaways

On March 4th, DC United hosted Sporting Kansas City in an uneventful and scoreless draw. Here’s a short breakdown of the three things we learned.

In their first game of the 2017 season, DC United and Sporting Kansas City played to the second scoreless draw of the day. Here are three important take aways from the game:

1. Gerso Fernandes is bringing a new spark to Sporting Kansas City’s Offense.

Mar 4, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Sporting Kansas City forward Gerso (7) controls the ball against the D.C. United during the first half at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Brought in over the winter as a Designated Player, Fernandes was a proven winger from Belenenses, a team in the top league of Portugal. In his debut with Sporting Kansas City, he showed his value as he terrorized his side of the field, frustrating newly transitioned right-back Nick DeLeon.

Displaying great speed and incredible ability to hold the ball, he had a handful of poor touches, but far more successful runs both down the field and into the box. As he finds form this season, expect him to make a large impact in the league.

2. DC’s 3 man midfield needs upgrading.

Mar 4, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; D.C. United midfielder Marcelo Sarvas (7) battles Sporting Kansas City midfielder Jimmy Medranda (94) for the ball during the first half at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Losing Luciano Acosta, DC’s exciting attacking midfielder, to a lower body injury hurt the midfield in a big way. Technical skill, hold up play, and service was certainly missing without Acosta’s strong skill set, but it doesn’t excuse a poor showing from Jared Jeffrey and Marcelo Sarvas. Buescher, a great young talent, has shown strength in slotting in for injured players or playing as a sub, but he likely didn’t have time to really prepare to overtake such an important role as he subbed for Acosta.

Excusing Buescher for a lack of preparation time, Jeffrey was mostly invisible throughout the game and 35 year old Sarvas showed a few moments of brilliance, but otherwise conceded fouls in dangerous areas, had a poor penalty kick attempt, and struggled to hold the ball for long. Fans are ready to see Ian Harkes play and hopefully DC United can offer Eryk Williamson a legitimate contract to bring the midfield depth DC is clearly missing.

3. Right-back experiments continue for each team with inconclusive results.

Mar 4, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Sporting Kansas City forward Gerso (7) is fouled by D.C. United midfielder Nick DeLeon (14) during the second half at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Both Sporting Kansas City and US Mens National Team fans were surprised when Bruce Arena announced that Graham Zusi would be playing right-back for the USMNT and likely for his club team as well.

DC United fans, on the other hand, have been uncertain about if Nick DeLeon would be the answer for right-back as Sean Franklin was slotting in as center-back during the offseason. In both of their season debuts in their new spots, they did a serviceable job, but showed the greatest flashes when moving forward, as if they were still playing their old midfield positions.

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Defensively, there weren’t any horrific mistakes, but they were both visibly targeted heavily as weaker links of their defensive units. It’s difficult to say from one game if either will still be holding this position in the summer. DC’s defensive depth including first round Super Draft pick Chris Odoi-Atsem gives DeLeon a little more to fight for, while Zusi’s experiences as a USMNT player gives him a little more security.

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