By Dylan Butler

Marc Burch has vivid memories of last year's CONCACAF Champions League and none of them are good.

But the D.C. United defender believes the experience of competing in the inaugural tournament is something his team can use to their advantage when they step on the field at RFK Stadium to face Salvadoran squad Luis Angel Firpo in the opening leg of a preliminary series Tuesday night.

"I don't think we showed who D.C. United was, even in our league last year," Burch said. "This year we're coming with a bit of attitude and we want to show what DC United is all about."

D.C. lost five of six matches in the group stage, earning one point in a 2-2 draw with Saprissa. The squad also had its domestic struggles, failing to make the Major League Soccer playoffs.

The lone positive, though, was a victory against the second-division Charleston Battery in the U.S. Open Cup final, a win that earned D.C. a return to the Champions League.

"Obviously last year such a disappointment, finishing last in the group," D.C. midfielder Devon McTavish said. "We had the players and the ability, but last year was such a rough year. We're kind of looking to get back in the tournament and do well, show that D.C. United is a great organization that does well in MLS and can do well in the CONCACAF Champions League, as well."

D.C. United, which has again reached the Open Cup final, has a deeper squad this season, one that is more prepared for the rigors of competing on multiple fronts.

"We basically played a reserve group the whole competition, which also happened to be our starters because we were so light," D.C. United coach Tom Soehn said of last year's injury-riddled Champions League squad. "We analyzed what the season would bring and what we'd need to get through stretches like this. The test was the Open Cup and we've been able to mix up the lineup and keep everyone fresh."

D.C. is in third place in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference, two points behind first-place Columbus, which also will compete in the Champions League. They enter Tuesday's match against Firpo coming off a disappointing 2-2 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes. D.C. squandered a 2-0 halftime lead only to see the hosts rally to tie the game on a 62nd-minute penalty kick.

D.C. boarded a cross-country flight on Sunday and trained on Monday. That doesn't give United much of a chance to prepare for Firpo.

"I watched matches over the last couple of years," Soehn said. "Obviously personnel changes, but often times the style doesn't change."

But according to Burch, his team has a much greater concern heading into Tuesday's match.

"We need to figure out how to close out games," he said. "I think going into this game, that's what we're worrying about that. We're not that worried about their team."

Firpo also competed in last year's inaugural tournament, finishing third in Group B with eight points from six matches.

Pamperos are a late entry to the competition, replacing fellow Salvadoran club Chalatenango, which failed to meet tournament requirements by not returning a signed participation agreement.

Firpo, which finished second in the Clausura and lost in the final to Metapan, is preparing for the Apertura, which Peruvian manager Agustin Castillo said puts his team at a distinct disadvantage.

"They have the advantage over us because they have been in competition in their local league," Castillo said. "They are better prepared for this competition, but we have confidence in the good work we are doing to get the most out of this."