United and Strikers Both Lose

What does mediocrity look like in print?  When you can 'spin' a club's recent performance one of two ways:  "United is unbeated in it's last five!"  But also, "United has won only one match in their last five."  And oddly, the same also pretty much applies to the NASL Strikers, too-- a team with more draws than either wins or losses.  I am sad to admit it, but both of my favorite American teams-- DC United and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers-- are merely mediocre.

As reported on DC United's website:  "For D.C. United, the chances came early and often against a beleaguered New England Revolution side. A combination of poor finishing — including a missed penalty kick by striker Charlie Davies in the 44th minute — and a strong performance from Revs ‘keeper Matt Reis let all those chances go begging, however, as the Black and Red fell 1-0 at RFK."

And as reported on the Strikers website:  "The Fort Lauderdale Strikers lost by a final of 3-1 against the second-place Puerto Rico Islanders, 8-5-4 (W-T-L), dropping their record to 3-9-5 (W-T-L) on the season. The Strikers took the lead on an own-goal by the Islanders, but gave up three unanswered goals in the loss." 

The only really noteworthy news in either match, was that the Strikers Eduardo Coudet was sent off for physically challenging the Referre for awarding a Penatly Kick to the Islanders, and the NASL disciplinary committee has tacked an additonal five game suspension on top of that, for the physical contact.

So, all in all, the mid-week news in the land of Jedi Soccer is not good.  But there is still enough time in the season to right the ship and salvage some dignity.