DC United Crushed by Kickers

Mike Martin

March 23, 2008

DC United's Cezar attempts a run into the box against the USL's Richmonf Kickers

DC United's Cezar attempts a run into the box against the USL's Richmonf Kickers
Photo: Martin Fernandez

Behind two goals from former United winger Mike Burke, the Richmond Kickers easily cruised to a 3-0 victory over DC United’s reserve team in their final tune-up prior to the MLS season opener next weekend in KC.

Washington, D.C. Starting their complete reserve side, DC United could certainly expect a tough battle against the USL division two defending champion Richmond Kickers. However, after giving up a goal inside of two minutes, United fought gamely for only a thirty minute stretch early on, only to fall apart late in the first half, and things just snowballed downhill from there.

The wheels began to loosen up for United barely 60 seconds after the opening kickoff, when Richmond’s cagey left wing, Benjamin Hunter totally flummoxed right back Quavas Kirk to get wide open deep down right side where he had time to pick out Mike Burke sneaking in behind United’s left midfielder, Jeremy Barlow. Hunter’s uncontested cross landed perfectly in stride for Burke to easily slam into the net giving United’s Jose Carvallo no chance to save what turned out to be the game winning goal.

Yet, even that miserable beginning could have been erased if United had just been a bit sharper in front of the net when they got two golden chances during their most effective stretch of the entire match.

Easily the best chance for United came in the 21st minute when Cezar pounced on a rare mistake by Richmond when he stole the ball from defender Adam Chavez and burst in alone on goal. Unfortunately, United’s Brazilian trialist was slow to pull the trigger which allowed Chavez time to harass him from behind and force his belated shot well over the bar.

Then in the 32nd minute, Jeremy Barlow slid a tempting diagonal shot/cross through the box, but it was just out of reach of Cezar at the back post, and then the ball appeared to have a chance to find the net only to slither barely wide of the post. 

However, that was pretty much the extent of United’s opportunities in the match, and Richmond sealed the victory with their second goal off a dreadfully defended corner kick in the 36th minute. Hunter stroked the corner kick beautifully to defender Kelvin Jones who was blithely cruising thru the area completely unmolested trailing defenders like tin cans before slamming home a thumping header to double the Kicker’s advantage.

From that point on, United’s reserves got a hard lesson from the veteran Kickers about how an experienced team sticks the dagger in a team that is down. With the two goal cushion, the Kickers constantly pressured and harassed DC’s players so much that at one point Santino Quaranta became so frustrated with the way he was being roughed up that he kicked a hole in the signboards. Sadly, even that didn’t help much as he got his foot stuck and had to sheepishly extricate his tangled cleat with very little of his dignity still intact.

It was more of the same in the second half as Richmond thoroughly dominated DC until a wild five minute stretch at the hour mark drove the final nails in United’s coffin. Once again it was Quavas Kirk exposed and late covering a ball that got blooped into the area for Richmond’s Luke Vercollone. Kirk slammed into the former NE Revolution developmental player from behind for an obvious penalty kick. Burke took the kick and stutter stepped Thorpe into going the wrong way in order to easily slot the ball into the other side for the third and final goal of the match.

Then minutes later as United was in the process of switching formations to push up Kirk into the attack to try and get some momentum on their side, all hopes for a comeback were crushed by Barlow chopping down Hunter for a straight red in the 64th minute. After that, United only had one token attack where Cezar got the only true shot on goal of the match for DC, a weak effort that Ronnie Pascale scooped up easily for his lone save.

So, it was a decidedly dejecting evening for the Black and Red and the two hundred or so fans who made the trek down there. Obviously a loss is never pleasant, but to be so completely impotent against a lower division side that your fans get taunted by the Kicker Kangaroo is really a new low.

As for United being able to put the finishing touches on their roster with this game, certainly none of the bubble players did themselves much good. Dane Murphy may have helped his cause a little bit as he was decent in the defense and looked good in the central midfield in the second half, but for all his industry he really had very little impact on the match beyond simple competancy. Cezar showed flashes of lovely skill and certainly worked hard to get in good positions, but at the end of the day, he’s brought in to score and he badly missed the best chance of the match for DC.

The best players on the field for United were Pat Carroll, who provided a very composed presence in the central defense. Justin Moose was also very active and dangerous on the wing, and Dan Stratford was virtually flawless in the central midfield. He really is a very clean player, who doesn’t make flashy plays, but who always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

The worst players were Quavas Kirk who had an absolute nightmare as right back, just totally lost and the Kickers saw the blood in the water and kept hammering away at him mercilessly. Then again when pushed forward he looked way more comfortable attacking and set up Cezar for the only true shot on goal for DC. Jeremy Barlow also had tough day. He certainly ran the gamut of possibilities considering it was his first match in United colors. He was lively and did set up some nice possibilities in the attack, but struggled mightily to defend and got ejected for a hideous hack that really was uncalled for.

Still in the end, the match was meaningless as they don't start counting points until next week. As long as that futile display doesn’t turn out to be a preview of United’s Open Cup play this year, then perhaps it is a performance that is best forgotten as quickly as possible.

If the point of this game was to be the sacrificial lambs for a rousing start for the Kickers on their fifiteenth season, then job well done. If the point was to throw the rookies to the wolves to get some valuable experience and humility, then check that box too. However, if DC was hoping for anything else from this match, then the team failed miserably.

Lineups
Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale (Mark Murphy – 83’), Evan Harding, Anthony Catalano, Kelvin Jones, Adam Chavez, Mike Burke (Freddie Smith – 71’), David Bulow (Pat Viray – 71’), Eliot Paschalis (Trey Alexander – 83’) Luke Vercollone (Ralph Pace – 83’), Adrian Bumbut, Ben Hunter

United: GK Jose Carvallo (James Thorpe – 45’), Quavas Kirk, Pat Carroll, Dane Murphy, Ryan Cordeiro, Jeremy Barlow, Rod Dyachecko, Dan Stratford (Clyde Simms – 67’), Justin Moose, Cezar, Santino Quaranta (Domenic Mediate – 45’)

Visitor Comments

On March 24, 2008 - 02:18:57 PM Mark said:
Mike, just want to let you know that I really like the podcasts and articles here. Keep up the coverage. More people need to post! About Santino, had it been another player, I probably would not think much of the sign kicking. I am glad he is getting another shot in DC, but given his history, I think he needs to exhibit a cooler head. When he reaches the potential everyone sees in him, he can kick as many signs as he wants.
On March 23, 2008 - 03:35:19 PM Mike M said:
I absolutely agree. I love the Open Cup and wish DC and other MLS teams took it more seriously, but USSF has to do more on their end to make the Open Cup more importanton their end too. As for Tino, to be fair, he was hacked pretty painfully right before the board abuse, and lots of players kick signs from time to time. It was just bad luck that particular board was so flimsy and made his reaction seem maybe worse than it was. I think saying it lacks class is too strong. What he did doesn't rise to that level in my opinion.
On March 23, 2008 - 12:36:47 PM Mark said:
Not to read more into this loss than needed, but this is why I wish MLS had a relegation system or would take the Open Cup more seriously. Giant killing is always fun to watch (as long as it is not DC). Also, Santino needs to keep his frustration in check. Kicking a sign in frustration lacks of class and professionalism. Hopefully he learned his lesson yet again... probably not.
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