On Saturday evening in front of a very small crowd at R.F.K. Stadium D.C. United took on Vancouver Whitecaps FC for the first match-up between the two MLS clubs.
For United it was a decidedly different look on the field and the sidelines as Head Coach Ben Olsen and recent USMNT call up and current United starting Goalkeeper Bill Hamid where both out due to Red Card suspensions.
In place for Hamid was University of Denver product Joe Willis who got his first career start in goal over Steve Cronin. On the other side of the field USMNT World Cup veteran and Whitecaps player Jay DeMerit (capt.) got his first start coming back from injury.
Starting Lineups:
DCU-Willis; Kitchen, Jakovic, McDonald, Woolard; Najar, Simms, Quaranta, Pontius; De Rosario, Davies
Vancouver-Nolly; Harvey, DeMerit, Boxall, Leathers; Salinas, Vagenas, Koffie, Thorrington; Camilo, Hassli
The first half saw few shots or opportunities for both teams after D.C. controlled the first 15 min. of the match. The game got noticeably more physical near the 30th minute and eventually Vancouver earned a free kick just outside of the box. The ensuing kick went off the top post and bounced around dangerously until rookie keeper Willis was able to pounce on it inside the 6 yard box.
D.C. UNITED GOALKEEPER JOE WILLIS
On his game-changing save during Vancouver’s first half free kick:
"On the free kick the wall was setup nicely. [Vancouver] had one guy on the inside of the wall, and I had Clyde [Simms] set things up for me. They hit a nice free kick, but I was able to get a hand to it."
In the waning minutes of the first half Chris Pontius scored the first goal of the match for the Black and Red with a sliding goal after the cross from Dwayne De Rosario deflected off Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly (former United player, 2007). The first half ended just seconds later giving United a big lift heading into the locker room.
The second half saw D.C. pick up where they left of when Andy Najar made a run all the way to the end line before taking a shot that the keeper allowed to go through his legs giving D.C. United a second goal for a 2-0 lead. Later on in the second half Charlie Davies, who had struggled all match to get things going on offense, received a yellow card after going down and complaining about not receiving the call. In the 63rd minute Chad Ashton filling in for the missing Olsen would call on his first sub for United as he brought on Steven King for Santino Quaranta.
De Rosario who was working hard as usual has shot go off post, gets the rebound and skies follow up shot. Pontius, King, and De Rosario on the attack - King shoots the rebound lands to Pontius who puts it away for his second of the match and a 3-0 lead at the 70th minute. With the game securely in hand and up 3-0 United continued to pour it on and King would eventually find the back of the net for the final goal of the match (first of the season for King) that saw United pick up 3 points at home in clearly their best performance at R.F.K. this season.
The second half saw D.C. pick up where they left of when Andy Najar made a run all the way to the end line before taking a shot that the keeper allowed to go through his legs giving D.C. United a second goal for a 2-0 lead. Later on in the second half Charlie Davies, who had struggled all match to get things going on offense, received a yellow card after going down and complaining about not receiving the call. In the 63rd minute Chad Ashton filling in for the missing Olsen would call on his first sub for United as he brought on Steven King for Santino Quaranta.
De Rosario who was working hard as usual has shot go off post, gets the rebound and skies follow up shot. Pontius, King, and De Rosario on the attack - King shoots the rebound lands to Pontius who puts it away for his second of the match and a 3-0 lead at the 70th minute. With the game securely in hand and up 3-0 United continued to pour it on and King would eventually find the back of the net for the final goal of the match (first of the season for King) that saw United pick up 3 points at home in clearly their best performance at R.F.K. this season.
D.C. UNITED ASSISTANT COACH CHAD ASHTON
Overall thoughts on the game:
Big [relief], it feels like it’s been a long time coming. I don’t remember the last time we had a game like that. It was good; I think we have been knocking on the door for a performance like that for a while, and to put it all together is a good feeling. Hopefully we can realize the things we did well and use them going forward.
The best performers of the game for D.C. where Joe Willis who was named player of the match as well as Pontious and De Rosario who both controlled the play on offense for the Black and Red.
With the win United sits in sixth place in the Eastern Conference just 7 points behind the first place Columbus Crew. United will play on the road next against the Chicago Fire August 18th.
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