The Caribbean Club Champions, Harbour View FC, did Jamaica, the Caribbean, and themselves proud last Wednesday night at the Compound when they came from behind with a spirited performance to hold MLS giants D.C. United to a most exciting 1-1 draw in the first leg of the 2008 CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-finals.
Playing in front of a little less than capacity but partisan crowd, “The Stars of the East” showed true grit by matching their more accomplished American opponents stride-for-stride, tooth-and-nail, and in the end, almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. In retrospect, the entire HVFC unit performed competently; the defense held, the midfield created and it also destroyed, and the attackers menaced, and most importantly, they converted. It was indeed a very smooth professional performance that did much to lend credence to the vastly improved quality of the local game.
Both goals on the night were, to a large extent, the result of good fortune and providence. A wicked deflection from a shot by the Argentinean midfield general, Marcelo Gallardo, fell sweetly at the feet of Devon McTavish who easily beat a valiant Dwayne Miller to put D.C. United 1-0 up at the half. And, in the 85th minute, super-sub, Lovel Palmer, made the most of a goal-mouth melee to give Harbour View a well deserved and hard earned 1-1 tie.
With the invaluable experience of the first leg behind them, “The Stars of the East” now turn their undivided attention to Tuesday night’s date with destiny at the huge Robert Francis Kennedy (RFK) Stadium with all to play for. We learned a few things about the multiple MLS Cup champions, D.C. United from the first leg in Kingston . We now know that from their announced squad of players available for the quarter-final series, they did field their best team for the tied first leg. The only ace in the hole that could be sprung for the second leg is American international Ben Olsen, and the reports all say that he will not be ready for action following knee surgery last month. And, although their South American contingent of ball handlers did live up to their billing by displaying a high level of skill and and good football technique, they were by no means overwhelming. In short, they looked pretty vulnerable to tenacity, youth, and pace.
The “Maestro”, Marcelo Gallardo, at age 32, seemed a bit chubby and a tad slow, and was at times disrupted by the always arriving Harbour View midfield engine, Richard Edwards. It is also curious to note that on the reportedly small Harbour View football field, an unfit looking D.C. United were often exposed by the speed and efficiency of the HVFC flank-men, Ronnie Amanagua and Robert Scarlett. Amanagua, in particular, had a wonderful game, and displayed the poise of a professional, the composure of a ballerina, and the superb technique befitting of his South American roots. However, it was Scarlett’s deft pace on the left flank that seemed to unsettle the Americans the most, and his telling pass across the D.C. United’s goal in the 73rd minute could have rewrote the headlines had Fabian Taylor arrived in time for the easy tap-in.
While D.C United appear to have played all their major cards, as well as they played, the Harbour View team is destined to get better for Tuesday’s game. Skipper, Christopher Harvey, who missed the first leg because of a red card picked-up in the successful Caribbean Club championship final in Trinidad late last year, is sure to return to partner Clifton Waugh at the back of the team. Waugh, incidentally, had a very solid game. Harvey ‘s availability pushes Jermaine Taylor into central midfield to partner Richard Edwards. Jermaine Taylor, who played very well in the Kingston leg, has been playing like a natural at central midfield in recent Cash Plus National Premier League games, and his presence in that sector will certainly add even more strength and vigor to the HVFC middle.
The hard working Richard Edwards had one of his best games to date, but was assisted-off in the second half with an apparent leg injury. However, reports from the confident HVFC camp are that he has fully recovered and will be fit and ready for the all important battle at RFK. Edwards himself declared, “I would not miss this game for the World.”
Rumors of Donald “Foulie” Stewart’s demise were greatly exaggerated as he played his damage control role for all ninety minutes of a very competitive game. With Kameel Wolfe not making the trip because he was denied a visa by the American Embassy, “Foulie” seems sure to come off the bench late in the game to play his containment role in what will certainly be one of the most important games at the twilight of his long football career. And the hero, the super-sub, the goal scorer, Lovel Palmer, is deserving of a start as he will bring more pace to the mix at the attacking right midfield position than “Foulie” would.
The Harbour View midfield is completed by arguable the most gifted Jamaican attacking midfielder in the game today, Jermaine Hue, a natural south-paw. Hue is expected to play a big role for the Jamaicans at left midfield on Tuesday as he is the HVFC play-maker. Hue had a somewhat subdued game in the first leg maybe because he was targeted by D.C. United for special attention. However, the big RFK Stadium field could prove to be a very lethal weapon in the hands of Jermaine Hue as he has the uncanny ability and the vision to turn on a dime and deliver the most accurate long pass to his attackers. To be effective in the battle at RFK, Hue will have to be much disciplined and find his passes within his first two touches of the ball. “One if you can but two if you must” will have to be the voice in Jermaine Hue’s mind on Tuesday night.
Kevin Bryan is sure to partner Fabian Taylor up front as Rafik Thomas was also denied a visa and will not make the trip. Bryan, a very crafty player with lots of pace could prove to be the perfect partner for Fabian Taylor. Also denied visas were the Harbour View FC chef, Dwayne Lawrence, and the equipment manager, Dwayne “Bruke” Blake.
Fabian “Fabulous” Taylor played exceptionally well in the first leg, and showed that he has fully recovered from his injury. He also confirmed his unique ability to maintain possession under the most adverse conditions, and did provide much cause for concern to the Americans in Kingston . The Harbour View team is completed by goalkeeper Dwayne Miller who also had a tremendous game in Kingston . Miller, who recently caught the eye of Jamaica ‘s technical Director, Rene Simoes, kept HVFC in the game with a couple of fine saves and good positional play, and expertly guarded his goal area with cunning and agility.
In the first game at the Compound, Harbour View settled early and played a tactical, patient, and composed passing game. The same and then some will be required here in the second leg. The turnover rate was kept to a minimum but can be reduced even further. The flank players, Scarlett and Amanagua, will have to time their forays into enemy territory very carefully so they are behind the ball when the attacks break down, and not found chasing on the long flanks of RFK. South American players are said to excel with large space so the midfield tracking of the likes of Gallardo and his cronies will have to be very consistent and vigilant.
It will by no means be a stroll in the park in Washington D.C. come Tuesday night, but based on the tenacious performance of both teams in the stale-mated first leg last Wednesday in Jamaica, the playing field is certainly level and so is the score. Confidence is again high in the Jamaican gladiators’ camp as they dared to stare-down the MLS giant and not only survived, but found the beast wanting. After all, the feared “Goliath” came within a hairs-breath of losing to the so called minnows of the tiny Caribbean Island nation.
And, the worst case scenario is that we are all squared after full-time in the duel at RFK, and even the allotted extra time failed to break the deadlock. With Dwayne Miller’s large wing span, I fancy Harbour View’s chances in the ensuing pulsating penalty shoot-out, and may even start making advance preparations for the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals at the Pachuca de Soto, Hidalgo Stadium in southern Mexico, the home of Pachuca CF.