If one dominant performance deserves another, then Spain's4-0 win over Italy in the European Cup Final on Sunday was the perfectfollow-up to D.C. United's 3-0 triumph over Montreal Saturday night. After Monday's training session weasked a few of the D.C.'s players for their thoughts on the final.
Brandon McDonald:
"I'm sure fans liked it; it was an exciting and high scoringgame. But with Italy, I thinkpeople got used to teams bunkering in and trying to play for the counteragainst Spain. Spain showed usagain that when you try to do that they can pick it apart. After [Italy] went down to ten men itwas over."
Chris Pontius:
"I wasn't surprised, but I figured Italy might give Spainmore of a run for their money with the form Italy were in"
Dwayne De Rosario on Italy:
"I think Italy did a fantastic job this tournament. I really admired the way they attackedand played. They didn't play thathistoric Italian way; sit back and bunker in. They went for it and it was a joy to watch. I think if you are an Italian fan youhave nothing to be sad about, they should be proud. I didn't have them going to the final so for them to getthat far and beat a very good German side was really unexpected."
DeRo on Spain:
"They continue to show their class. Spain are just sogood. They make the complicatedthings look so easy, and I think that's why they are so effective. They gradually move up the field as aunit and defend as a unit as well.Guys play in the same league and on the same clubs and you can see theyhave a great understanding of each other."
Of the 18 D.C. United players polled prior to thetournament, seven (Morsink, Korb, Santos, Najar, Woolard, King, McDonald)picked Spain as the eventual champion. None picked Italy.
