In Major League Soccer, May usually isn’t the time of yearwhen heat plays a factor in the outcome of a match. But earlier this season, in a defeat at Houston, D.C. Unitedstruggled mightily during their first real exposure to high temperatures. After the 1-0 loss Head Coach Ben Olsensaid it best, acknowledging that heat – and a slew of in-game injuries – were "too much to overcome".
As his team prepared for a return visit to BBVA CompassStadium this week, Olsen vowed United would not run into the same problemagain.
"We can’t use the heat as an excuse," D.C.'s coach said afterThursday’s training session. "Thesummer has been brutal here so the guys are ready for that. It will be a level playing field as faras heat, it shouldn’t be an issue."
With temperatures hovering in the mid-90’s, Washington has feltmore like Houston over the past few weeks. Though United’s players enjoyed a few days off last week,the group has practiced through the bulk of D.C.’s recent heat spell.
"You are sweating a lot," Chris Pontius noted when asked todescribe the impact of high temperatures on performance. "You get dehydrated, and your mindstarts to go a little bit along with your body."
During D.C.'s last contest – a 3-0 home win over Montreal onJune 30 – the club's training staff proved its effectiveness in battling thedehydration Pontius references. With matchday temperatures brushing up against 100 degrees, both fluidsand supplements were aggressively administered prior to kickoff. The results were clear, as Unitedscored twice in the second half while dominating possession. Montreal – days removed from a mid-weekmatch – didn't put a single shot on frame after the 11th minute.
"The weather in DC has been a little unusual to say theleast," acknowledged Robbie Russell. "But it has been good in preparing us for that kind of humidity and thatkind of heat. I know I was hurting[in Houston], but that game is in the past."
In a strange twist, United's players may actually get a break from the heat as they travel to Texas. Gametime temperatures for Sunday night in Houston are expected to be in the mid-80's with a chance of scattered showers.
