After scoring a game-winning goal two weeks ago, and delivering a hat-trick last week that earned him MLS Player of the Week honors, Chris Pontius is riding high as one of the most in-form players in Major League Soccer. It isn’t the first time in his career he has enjoyed a good run of success in MLS, but he’s hoping this latest success won’t be cut short by injury like good runs he has had in the past.
While Dwayne DeRosario stole the headlines late in 2011 for his amazing goal-scoring record late in the year, it was easy to forget that Pontius was also enjoying a standout season for D.C. before a broken leg cut his season short. Having compiled a career-high seven goals and five assists through 25 matches, Pontius was forced to watch from the sidelines as United fell short in their bid for the playoffs, and he also watched his name fade away from the U.S. national team conversation, where he was beginning to receive attention for before the injury.
“It’s no fun, especially when you’re in the locker room and around the guys not being able to play,” Pontius said of the second major injury he suffered in his first three years in MLS. “It’s tough mentally because you almost feel like you don’t have a job, but we have one of the best locker rooms in MLS so they made it easier for me to deal with that.”
Pontius looked like he might face a fight for playing time when the season began, what with D.C. adding Albanian striker Hamdi Salihi, injured Designated Player Branko Boskovic returning to action, and D.C. drafting highly-regarded midfielder Nick DeLeon. The wealth of attacking options led to Pontius spending a stretch of four matches coming off the bench, but he delivered a beautiful game-winning goal against New England in the fourth of those matches to regain his starting role.
Pontius rewarded Olsen’s confidence last week with a hat-trick against the Red Bulls. He knows very well that he will need to keep playing well in order to maintain his place in a D.C. attack rich with options. If he can continue his goal-scoring ways, Pontius could help D.C. find the consistency the team has been lacking early on in the 2012 season.
“We had some new pieces come in so inconsistency early on was to be expected, but you’re starting to see the team gel now,” Pontius said. “We’re starting to figure each other out now.”
D.C. United will put their six-match unbeaten streak on the line against the Houston Dynamo on Saturday in the weekend’s top MLS match. D.C. has moved into second place in the East, but Houston has played fewer games and is also in the midst of a lengthy road stretch ahead of the opening of the team’s new BBVA Compass Stadium next month.
The Dynamo should provide a stiff defensive test, certainly a tougher one than D.C. faced last week against a short-handed Red Bulls back-line. U.S. national team prospect Geoff Cameron will lead the back-line as it tries to stop a D.C. attack that has already posted a pair of four-goal games in this young season.
Houston could have 2011 MLS MVP finalist Brad Davis back from injury, a key option for a Dynamo attack that actually looked decent without its top playmaker in last week’s 2-2 tie vs. Columbus. The D.C. United should present a tougher challenge, having allowed more than one goal just once in eight matches.
If Pontius and D.C. keep on playing well, you just might start to hear his name back in the U.S. national team conversation. The 24-year-old forward/midfielder isn’t about to start losing sleep thinking about a potential call-up, not when he still has to focus on keeping the starting job he only recently won back.
“I’ve always taken the approach that if I do my work here with D.C. then hopefully the time will come, that the call will come,” Pontius said of a potential call-up. “Three goals (vs. New York) doesn’t mean I’m happy with my game. I still need to get better and still have things to work on.”
If Pontius stays healthy, keeps on improving, and keeps on finishing the way he has in recent weeks, D.C. United stands a good bet of returning to the playoffs for the first time in five years, and for the first time since Pontius joined the team in 2009.
Here is a look ahead to MLS Week Eight, along with predictions:
LAST WEEK’S RECORD (3-6), SEASON RECORD (34-29)
Sporting KC finally dropped a decision, while the Philadelphia Union defense posted a third straight shutout. San Jose edged RSL to grab first place in the East, D.C. United upped their unbeaten streak to six matches by thrashing the New York Red Bulls. Count me among those who were surprised to see Columbus earn a draw against Houston.
THIS WEEK’S TOP FIVE MATCHES
1. D.C. UNITED VS. HOUSTON DYNAMO
The D.C. attack faces a tough Houston defense, with Danny Cruz taking on the club that let him go this winter. Houston’s fullbacks must deal with the speedy D.C. wingers or Maicon Santos and Pontius will make life difficult for the Dynamo. D.C. UNITED 2, Dynamo 1.
2. PHILADELPHIA UNION VS. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
The Union’s defense has posted three straight shutouts but will have a tough time containing Chris Wondolowski. Philly must be careful with Steven Lenhart, who has proven to be a handful. The Sam Cronin-Freddy Adu battle should go a long way in determining who wins this one. Give the Union the edge at home. UNION 2, Earthquakes 1.
3. LOS ANGELES GALAXY VS. FC DALLAS
The Galaxy are starting to find their form, and FC Dallas is coming off a mid-week game. It all spells a very good chance for LA to make it three straight wins. The Robbie Keane-George John match-up will be fun to watch. GALAXY 3, FC Dallas 1.
4. CHICAGO FIRE VS. SEATTLE SOUNDERS
The Sounders come in off a bye week and could welcome back star playmaker Mauro Rosales. If the Argentine creator can come back, the Sounders have the weapons to beat a Fire defense that looked vulnerable last week. Seattle’s defense should also contain Chicago’s speedsters. Fire 1, SOUNDERS 2.
5. NEW YORK RED BULLS VS. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
This one could get ugly, and at the very least, there should be four or more goals scored. The Red Bulls are missing three of four defensive starters, but still boast a deadly attack led by Thierry Henry. New England should come in fresh off a bye to grab a precious road win. Red Bulls 1, REVOLUTION 3.
THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE
MONTREAL IMPACT VS. PORTLAND TIMBERS
Week off should help Impact, but Timbers riding high after beating LA. Impact 1, Timbers 2.
COLUMBUS CREW VS. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
The Crew offense will struggle, Whitecaps offense should find chances. Crew 1, Whitecaps 3.
REAL SALT LAKE VS. TORONTO FC
TFC come in short-handed, won’t stand a chance vs. RSL side badly needing a win. RSL 3, TFC 0.
COLORADO RAPIDS VS. CHIVAS USA
Rapids offense not firing well, Chivas defense has been sturdy on the road. Rapids 0, Chivas USA 1.
