United Listless in MLS opener in 2-0 loss to Kansas City

Chris Webb

March 29, 2008

Zach Wells is unable to stop Ivan Trujillo of The Kansas City Wizards

Zach Wells is unable to stop Ivan Trujillo of The Kansas City Wizards
Photo: Wade Jackson/YCJ/YSS

DC United opened up their MLS season with a loss for the second consecutive season as they gave up two second half goals in losing to an impressive Kansas City Wizards

Washington, D.C. DC United fell 2-0 tonight to the Kansas City Wizards at Community America Ballpark in both teams MLS openers. New strikers Ivan Trujillo and Claudio Lopez both scored early on in the second half to salt away what was a relatively even match heading into halftime.

United had the best of the rare scoring chances in first half with a 17th minute blast from Luciano Emilio that was well saved over the bar from KC keeper Kevin Hartman. United did well to create their usual smooth possession game in the first half but an early second half goal set KC on their way to the win.

In the 47th minute KC defender Michael Harrington settled a ball on the deep left flank and made his way towards the top of the penalty area and lofted a cross over the United defense on the back post to a wide open Jack Jewsbury who calmly slotted the ball back across goal for Trujillo to poke past Zach Wells for the 1-0 lead.

In the 54th minute a poor assistant referee's offside call robbed Trujillo of his second goal as he was sent in alone by Carlos Marinelli. The poor call spurred United on momentarily and thought they had equalized in the 61st minute via a short corner attack. Marcelo Gallardo received a short corner and lofted the ball into the box where substitute Santino Quaranta flicked a header to the far post where defender Gonzalo Peralta shot past Hartman. Ensuing replays showed Peralta just a hair offside.

The game was over however just seconds later as DC failed to get back defensively and a long ball out of the back sent Lopez in alone on goal and he easily chipped over helpless Zach Wells for the games final goal.

United now jets off to Pachuca for their first leg semi-final with the two time defending CONCACAF Champions on Tuesday evening. United's home opener is next Saturday evening against Toronto FC who lost their opener in Columbus today by the same 2-0 scoreline.

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