With field-level temperatures topping eighty degrees atkickoff and first place in the Eastern Conference on the line, there was afeeling among D.C. United’s players that Saturday’s showdown with New Englandwould be the ultimate litmus test. At the end of a marathon stretch of games, the Black-and-Red would haveto fight through oppressive heat on top of a Revolution side that rookie NickDeLeon called ‘the most physical’ he’s yet faced.
But if there was one player under a particularly intensemicroscope heading into Saturday, it was Branko Boskovic. The Montenegrin had played well inconsecutive starts against both Colorado and Toronto, but New England’sphysicality figured to offer a stiff challenge for the skillfulmidfielder. With Dwayne De Rosariopushed forward, Boskovic was asked to control the midfield against a Revolutionside determined to bully their way to a road result. He responded with a classy performance, easing United in andout of attack during a 57-minute stint in the middle of the park.
“When he’s on the ball he’s very composed,’ said veteranJosh Wolff, who helped close the match out after coming on in the 80thminute. “He sees the field well,and I think you can see it when he is on and involved in the game, I think heis a big part in why we have success.”
With Boskovic leading the way, D.C. owned 51% of possession– a number that dropped to 43.5% in the second half - during a first half thatsaw the Black-and-Red take a 2-0 lead. But the 31-year-old’s greatest impact came on set pieces. In the 15th minute he pickedout Brandon McDonald for the game’s first goal and in doing so recorded hissecond assist in as many outings. Just moments before the half Boskovic was at it again, whipping in adangerous corner that caused enough confusion in the New England defense forDejan Jakovic to score his first MLS career goal.
“His service is - hands down – the best we’ve got,” addedWolff. “I’d put him up there withsome of the better ones in the league. Certainly Brad Davis and David Beckham have extreme quality on the ballwhen it comes to service, but his service on free kicks and corners has beeninstrumental to our success.”
In a league like MLS – where parity rules and games arefrequently decided by the dead ball – Boskovic’s emerging skill-set is takingD.C.’s attack somewhere it has never been.
“It’s very important,” acknowledged defender Daniel Woolard of the dead ball service. “Look at L.A. and how Beckham servesthe ball and how many goals they score from it. I think Branko can do the same thing for us. He whips a great ball in and, when youknow it’s going to be in a good spot, the attacking players put more effort toget on the end of it.”
Aside from the heat, heavy legs and the – at timesbrutal – nature of New England’s defense, there was another source of pressureBoskovic faced on Saturday night. With his contract set to expire at month’s end there‘s a hint of uncertaintyto the playmaker's future in Washington. But one would never know it in talking to,or watching, the savvy pro.
“I’ve been in professional soccer ten years and I’ve had alot of situations like this,” he said after the match. “When the game starts or in practice, Iput this to the side and don’t think about this. I try to give my best until the last day of my contractbecause this club has given me a lot and I want, until the last day, to givethem something in return.”
