DC United Stutters In Home Opener Before Falling to Revolution
DC United looked much improved in its 2010 home debut on Saturday, but still fell to an unambitious New England Revolution side after Kenny Mansally’s two goals late in the second half propelled the Revolution to victory. United is still searching for its first goal of the season after a 4-0 shellacking last weekend at the hands of new Head Coach Curt Onalfo’s former employers, the Kansas City Wizards.
Saturday marked the home debut of United’s marquee signings of the offseason: Cristian Castillo of El Salvador and Bolivian center back Juan Manuel Pena, plucked from retirement. Both impressed in spurts, but wore down in the second half in the balmy April weather at crumbling RFK Stadium. Castillo had his fair share of admirers, as United looks to win back the Salvadorean fans who used to idolize the lethal Raul Diaz Arce. Pena, on the other hand, was caught ball watching on the first Mansally goal and displayed a penchant for long and direct distribution out of the back.
United bossed the game in the early stages, with Kurt Morsink in particular looking lively after a disappointing opening match in Kansas City. Brandon Barklage started the game on the right flank in place of academy signing Andy Najar. Carey Talley moved to right back with the insertion of Pena and struggled with his distribution.
Despite its possession advantage and overall lively play, United’s attacks often broke down at the edge of the 18-yard box. United’s best early chance was a free kick from Santino Quaranta that forced New England keeper Preston Burpo into an impressive kick save. Chris Pontius, who displayed an erratic first touch all evening up top, also had an outstanding chance to open the scoring but headed Barklage’s driven cross over the top as Burpo was caught in no-man’s land.
United ran out of ideas in the second half as the pace slacked. Their best chances came off corner kicks, as Barklage headed just wide and a second effort narrowly missed a host of onrushing United players. Mansally punished United’s inability to put the game away when he struck twice in the 80th and 82nd minutes to seal the game. The second goal, in particular, was impressive, as Mansally nearly made Rodney Wallace fall down before curling a beautiful left-footed shot past a despairing Troy Perkins.
As the match came to a close, United was left to ponder when its first goal will come. Next week’s encounter with the expansion side from Philadelphia should augur well for United’s chances at breaking its scoring drought, but Onalfo’s side will be taking nothing for granted as it seeks its first victory of the 2010 campaign. Read the rest of this entry »