(Editor’s Note: Regular columnist Joseph Schoenbauer is departing for Africa and has handed the reins to Brian Weeks as he heads overseas. We all wish Joe the best of luck, and look forward to his columns from Africa. The website is in the midst of a redesign, so bear with us while the details are sorted out. Please check back Wednesday evening for a Copa Sudamerica quarterfinal preview. Thanks- Brian)
In a performance deemed by Coach Peter Nowak as the team’s most complete 90 minutes of the season, DC United defeated the Colorado Rapids Saturday night and took a step closer to clinching a playoff berth in a tightening Eastern Conference race. Second-half goals from Argentinean Christian Gomez and Bolivian Jaime Moreno, the latter following nifty approach play, were enough to secure the three points for United against a physical Rapids side. DC United continued its impressive home play at RFK (9 wins-4 losses- 1 tie) by defeating the Rapids, who have not won at RFK since July 10, 1999. The victory also gained a measure of revenge for United after their 1-0 defeat in Denver on the 3 rd of September. DC United’s victory comes at a critical juncture in their attempts to repeat as MLS Cup champions.
United made only one change to the team that struggled against Catolica on Tuesday night. Jamil Walker, scorer of the equalizer Tuesday night off the bench, started the match alongside Moreno at forward. Joshua Gros, second behind Bobby Boswell for most minutes played this season for United, was relegated to the substitutes bench. Santino Quaranta moved from forward to Gros’ customary right-wing position. Nowak chose to continue with the three-man back line of Brandon Prideaux, Facundo Erpen, and Bryan Namoff.
Despite having two legitimate penalty claims dismissed by referee Hilario Grajeda, United failed to establish much rhythm against the Rapids in the first half. United had chances to take the lead twice inside the first five minutes. During the game’s opening exchanges, sloppy distribution out of the back let the Argentinean Gomez in with what looked like a clear path to the goal, and Colorado can be considered fortunate to have avoided a penalty when his heels were clipped inside of the box. DC United’s best opportunity of the half came after just 5 minutes, as Jamil Walker smashed a first-time effort against the crossbar from about 8 yards out. Santino Quaranta also had a penalty claim denied by the referee after defender Ricky Lewis impeded his path to goal. The rest of the half became somewhat of a war of attrition, as neither side was able to create any clear-cut goal scoring opportunities. DC United forced Colorado keeper Joe Cannon to make three saves in the first half, but lacked the finishing touch around the goal as a series of passes and crosses were off target. On the other end, Colorado forwards Jeff Cunningham (tied for 3 rd in MLS with 11 goals scored) and Haitian Jean-Philippe Peguero were conspicuous in their absence. Argentinean defender Facundo Erpen, who struggled with his passing on Tuesday against Catolica, once again returned to the form which recently won him the starting nod ahead of rookie center-back Bobby Boswell. He effectively marshaled the defense throughout, and Rimando had little to do in the opening half. Nevertheless, United had to be content with a scoreless draw going into the locker room at half time.
The second half seemed to be progressing in the same manner as the first until Gomez stepped up to take a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box on the far left side. Everyone in the crowd and on the pitch expected Gomez, who seemed to be struggling with his dead ball opportunities in the first half, to deliver the ball into the box. Instead, he struck a dipping ball which rookie goalie Byron Foss, who entered the match in the 59 th minute in place of an injured Joe Cannon, could only palm into the net. Gomez looked as shocked as the crowd as he celebrated the opening goal with his teammates in front of La Barra Brava. Foss was making his first-ever MLS appearance, and kicked the signboards behind the South goal in apparent frustration at his inability to stop Gomez’ stinging drive. Cannon, the reigning MLS goalkeeper of the year, could only watch in dismay as the crowd roared its approval for Gomez’ piece of magic. The free-kick goal also exposed Colorado’s strategy of pervasive fouling in all parts of the field, a strategy which was quite evident to Nowak.
United, sensing that Colorado was wilting after the goal, pressed ahead in search of a second goal to seal the game. They were rewarded for their attacking mentality with a sublime goal in the 80 th minute. Moreno, who had five shots on the night, received the ball inside the box without a defender in sight. As Colorado defender Richie Kotschau (George Mason University) rushed towards him, Moreno faked a shot and switched the ball to his left foot before finishing into the far corner past Foss. The buildup to Moreno’s cool finish was something to behold, as the energetic Quaranta marauded through the Rapids defense before back heeling to an onrushing Dema Kovalenko at the top of the penalty area. Kovalenko patiently slid the ball into Moreno inside the area, and Moreno finished with aplomb to effectively seal the game in United’s favor. Quaranta described the action as “one of the best goals I’ve ever been a part of.”
The tempestuous match grew even more heated, and a confrontation between Nowak and Colorado Coach Fernando Clavijo was clearly on Nowak’s mind in the post-match press conference. The visibly frustrated Nowak, who coaches with the same intensity he brought to the table during his award-winning years with Chicago Fire, said that Colorado came to Washington “not to play soccer, just to disturb us.” He also said “if you are losing, you have to lose with the class.” This last comment was in reference to a confrontation with Clavijo after the former US National team member and recent US Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, incensed by the officiating, made derisive comments directed towards DC players.
The intensity on the field matched the unseasonably warm September weather. There were seven bookings in all. Colorado holding midfielder Kyle Beckerman (Arundel High) was fortunate to not be sent off as he scythed down match-winner Gomez while already on a yellow card. Santino Quaranta also sustained a knock to the shin after another hard Colorado tackle which sparked the confrontation between Nowak and Clavijo, but commented post-match that it was little more than a bruise. In a testament to the weakness of the Western Conference of MLS this year, Colorado (9-13-4) is pretty much a lock for a playoff spot, as their closest rival, Real Salt Lake, is 12 points behind with a game in hand. Perhaps that was to blame for the sluggish nature of their play. After the game, the United players seemed more willing than Nowak to look past the physical nature of the match. For his part, Nowak deemed Saturday night’s performance “the best game of the season.”
Nowak was particularly impressed by how United responded after a short week of practice following the cup game in midweek. United now looks ahead to another mid-week match against Universidad Catolica. The second leg of the Copa Sudamerica quarterfinals will take place Thursday in Santiago, Chile. United goes into the second leg even with Catolica at 1-1, but Catolica has the all-important away goal. If the series is tied after two legs, the team with a greater number of away goals will clinch qualification. United captain Ben Olsen stated that the improved performance in the Colorado match will serve as an impetus for a solid performance in Chile. A full preview of the match is to follow.