Stone The Red?

Losing after being up 3-1? So easy a Caveman could do it.

So what’s tougher these days: being a fan of the Caps or D.C. United? The Caps of course had an amazing season, only to make history by becoming the first #1 seed to lose to an 8 seed after being up 3-1. At least it wasn’t to the Penguins. Meanwhile, United just plain suck.

I’d have to go with the Caps. Getting your hopes up only to have the rug pulled out is much, much worse than knowing your team is more than likely going to lose going in to 75% of its games. This series was like watching the Terps lose in the 2001 Final Four to Duke after being up 22 points. Only this was over the course of six nights. Fortunately it wasn’t to Pittsburgh.

Of course much of the credit to the Caps being knocked out has to go to Jaroslav Halak, who stopped 131 of the last 134 shots he faced in the series and made me think of this. But even more credit has to go to the defense of the Canadiens who didn’t give up as many good looks as the Caps blue liners conceded. That, to me, is where Washington needs to improve the most.

They surely missed Tom Poti in that game 7. But their “star” defensemen, Mike Green, is a liability defensively, especially if he’s not scoring. The Norris Trophy nominee averaged just over a point per game in the regular season, but could only manage three assists in the seven game series and was directly to blame for both Montreal goals in game 7. To win the Norris Trophy you have to be able to play a modicum of defense and that should knock Green out. Also, you’d think a Norris Trophy winner would be a shoe-in for his national team, not sitting at home during the Olympics.

So that ends another forgettable spring for the Capitals. Morath might be back in a few days with a more in depth look at what went wrong. I’m just wondering what curse the Caps have.

- On the flip side, D.C. United won their first game of the 2010 campaign. I think it was because Steve Goff wasn’t there. Neither United nor Dallas were at full strength in the U.S. Open Cup play-in game, but it was a positive result nonetheless. I will say I’m surprised that FCD kept David Ferreira and Jeff Cunningham on the bench when making their final two subs and being down three. You’d have to guess Curt Onalfo would give Adam Cristman, the UVa product, a look this weekend against New York following his two goal, one assist performance.

Speaking of United strikers, another familiar face might be on the field this Saturday afternoon. Luciano Emilio is back with United until at least July and, frankly, it’s a move that speaks of desperation while making total sense. Chris Pontius and Danny Allsopp have hamstring issues and the latter hasn’t impressed in his brief run. Our buddy Craig Stouffer asked if this signing is akin to United bringing back Christian Gomez last season and I’d say no. First, Emilio is three years younger right now than Gomez was last year. Last year Emilio had what was considered a poor year and still managed 10 goals and 2 assists. Gomez, who was a bust in Colorado, had only 3 goals and 6 assists in his year for the Rapids. Plus, Emilio is set to earn a lot less money according to results so on this signing I give United’s front office the thumbs up. Until Emilio starts missing sitters like Troy Perkins fans at crosses, that is.

- Amazing game at the Camp Nou yesterday between Barcelona and Inter. Tactical in every sense of the word from Inter as they mostly shut down Xavi and didn’t allow Messi to be his dangerous self. Even down a man, they bunkered and only let in one on a beautiful Gerard Pique goal (more on that in a second). As for Jose Mourinho, hate him if you want, but he is the best coach in the world right now at the club level; it’ll be interesting to see where he is next fall. Now Inter play Bayern in the finals in what should be a fascinating game when it comes to the tactics between Mourinho and the guy he learned from, Louis van Gaal. By the way, anyone else find it amusing that two guys Real Madrid sold off last summer to bring in Cristiano Ronaldo will be facing off at the Bernabeu as the two Dutch #10s -- Inter’s Wesley Sneijder and Bayern’s Arjen Robben -- face off. Do they fly directly to the Dutch World Cup camp together after that game?

Two thoughts on the officiating. First, it wasn’t a straight red to me for Thiago Motta, but he was on a yellow and that’s surely a second so whether it was straight or not becomes a moot point. Second, Barça had a goal waved off for a questionable handball late in the game, but Pique -- before he hit the circle button for the spin move -- was offsides and that goal should have been disallowed so the calls evened out.

Lastly, let’s see how that big transfer last summer worked out. Barcelona got Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Inter got Samuel Eto’o, €45 million, and a spot in the Champions League final. I’d say Inter won.

- Sad times for Shalrie Joseph who recently entered the Major League Soccer substance abuse and behavioral health program just days after the Revolution announced he would be taking an indefinite leave of absence. Similarly, Craig Stouffer had an exclusive report about the recent problems of Josh Wicks. Best wishes to both of them in dealing with whatever it is they are dealing with.

Back tomorrow with a look at Charlie Davies.

- Pat Walsh