‘DC United vs Rapids’
courtesy of ‘veni markovski’

D.C. United
Record: 6-3-9
Last Two Weeks: 2-0-0
Place: 2nd in the East

Just two games for United these past two weeks, an MLS win against the Colorado Rapids and an Open Cup win against the Harrisburg City Islanders. Sure, Brian Namoff put one in his own net against the Rapids, but overall, it’s looking better and better for United. They’re headed to the Open Cup quarterfinals this Tuesday night against the Rochester Rhino at the SoccerPlex, then it’s out west against the Quakes in San Jose, then a CONCACAF Champions League game against the C.D L.A. Firpo. Three leagues, four games, two weeks. Here’s hoping that Namoff can keep up his scoring streak, and not just on his own goal…

Kastles
Record: 5-6
Last Two Weeks: 5-4
Place: 2nd in the East by a half match

There are just three matches left in the swift 2009 World TeamTennis league: one on the road versus the undefeated Springfield Lasers, and a pair at home against the Lasers and the New York Buzz. On the line? A playoff spot and a winning record for the season. While the Kastles are in 2nd place in the East, it’s a precarious position just a half match ahead of the Boston Lobsters, and a game and a half in front of the Freedoms and Buzz. It’s going to take some “Refuse to Lose,” to make sure they make it to the Playoffs.

‘Nationals Park Layer Cake’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

Nationals
Record: 26-65
Last Two Weeks: 2-10
Place: Last in MLB

Sigh. I had thought that firing Manny Acta might’ve lit a fire under the Nationals. Instead, they’re playing like moping teenagers. They got swept in a four-game spread by the Cubs, starting off Jim Riggleman with an 0-4 record for his trouble. Some changes are in the offing, with Julian Tavarez designated for assignment after today’s disastrous outing against the Cubs. In addition, Scott Olsen is headed back on the DL for an injury to his left lat muscle. Coming up to spend time with the the Nationals are JD Martin (starting on Monday, his MLB debut) and LoganKensing (not Matt, thanks Hal!) from AAA Syracuse.

Still, it doesn’t bode well for the “new” Nationals that they were outscored 26-11, giving up 7 unearned runs on 6 errors, allowed 4 wild pitches and had two of their own guys caught stealing (hat tip to Chris Needham for those numbers), the Nats played up to every bit of their .286 percentage. The Nats now face the Mets for 3, and then the Padres for 3, with a make-up game with the Cardinals in between them on Thursday night. Their record says they ought to win two of them. Don’t hold your breath.

Mystics
Record: 7-6
Last Two Weeks: 2-1
Place: 4th in the East

Look for a full roundup from Acacia around midweek, but the Mystics picked up a couple of much-needed wins to keep them in the mix in the middle of the league.

Freedom
Record: 5-6-5
Last Two Weeks: 1-0-1
Place: 5th in the League

Two games for the Freedom in the last two weeks, a win against St. Louis Athletica (1-0), their first in a month, and a tie against Sky Blue FC. Best out of all of it? In the win against Athletica, their goalkeeper coach ended up joining the team when their goalkeeper pulled a hamstring in the middle of the game. With their backup called up to the Canadian National team, and the 3rd stringer out with an injury, it fell to Nicci Wright to take the net. Despite not playing professionally since 2003, and not playing a match since 2006, she kept Athletica from scoring for 36 minutes to seal the win. Her reward? $75. And keeping Freedom in the playoff picture.

Tom Bridge

I live and work in the District of Columbia. I write at We Love DC, a blog I helped start, I work at Technolutionary, a company I helped start, and I’m happy doing both. I enjoy watching baseball, cooking, and gardening. I grow a mean pepper, keep a clean scorebook, and wash the dishes when I’m done. Read Why I Love DC.