Proud Performance on a Memorable Night
Review: DC United vs. NY/NJ MetroStars Wednesday, August 10, 730pm at RFK
- By Joseph Schoenbauer
Review: DC United vs. NY/NJ MetroStars Wednesday, August 10, 730pm at RFK
DC United got an early lead from a Bobby Boswell header and added two more goals late on, thanks to a lively substitute performance from Jamil Walker, to defeat the MetroStars 3-0 on Wednesday night.
DC United went ahead after 11 minutes when Christian Gomez played in a perfect free kick to Bobby Boswell who made no mistake, rising unmarked to power a header past the hapless and heavy-set Tony Meola.
Just before the end of the first half, MetroStars midfielder Amado Guevara received his marching orders after receiving his second yellow card on the night for a late tackle on Ben Olsen.
The game evened it's numbers out in the 60th minute when Jaime Moreno, too, was shown a red card when the referee adjudged him to have brought down the surging Eddie Gaven just before he entered the 18-yard box with no one else to beat but Nick Rimando.
DC United finally pulled away in the 76th minute, just one minute after Jamil Walker had been subbed on for the tiring Christian Gomez. Jamil Walker showed a spring in his step to link up with the impressive Santino Quaranta beautifully before squaring to Dema Kovalenko to tap in his second goal in as many games.
The game was wrapped up in the 87th minute when Jamil Walker and fellow substitute Clyde Simms worked the ball to Josh Gros, who cut inside the 18-yard box from the right and finished with a near post shot that left Tony Meola stranded yet again.
"Tonight's game was very difficult, very competitive...Credit to New York.
It was difficult for us but in the end a 3-0 lead is pretty good," was how head coach of DC United Peter Nowak summed up the night, alluding to the 7 yellow cards and 2 red cards that were shown by the referee before the game finished.
Side Notes: In other games Wednesday night involving Eastern Conference rivals, the Kansas City Wizards came from two goals down to defeat the Chicago Fire 3-2, while New England thumped Real Salt Lake 4-1. The Columbus Crew did not play. Both DC United and Kansas City are equal on
35 points, just one point behind second placed Chicago, but more importantly, a full 6 points ahead of the NY/NJ MetroStars.
DC United can look forward to keeping their good run of form going this weekend when they take on a depleted Chivas USA side at RFK, who will be without both former DC United players Ezra Hendrickson and Thiago Martins through injury, as well as recently acquired Mexican stars Francisco Palencia and Juan Pablo Garcia.
-Joseph Schoenbauer