Match Reports

United defeats Rochester 2-0 in Open Cup

Two late free kick goals from United defender Marc Burch propelled a mostly reserve side to a 2-0 win over the visiting Rochester Rhino's of the USL-1 in front of 2,752 fans at the Maryland Soccerplex in Germantown, Md.

Head Coach Tom Soehn made seven changes from the starting XI who beat the Los Angeles Galaxy 4-1 just two days ago at RFK. Goalkeeper Zach Wells got his second shutout of the season (none in MLS so far) and United's defense was rarely tested though physically pushed by the visitors. Wells was only required to make one save all night long and it was routine at best. Rochester did however have a few close calls early in the second half but they came to nothing in the end.

United almost got on the scoreboard in the second minute when Pat Carroll's long throw-in from the right sideline found the dome of Rod Dyachenko right in front of Rhino goalkeeper Scott Vallow. Dyachenko headed right into the arms of the grateful Vallow. Vallow was called upon to make four more saves in the first half, two of which were stunning. He denied Dyachenko again in the 12th minute on a blast from 25 yards and later dove to his left to palm away Ryan Cordeiro's stinging volley in the 35th minute.

While Rochester didn't create many opportunities early on, they did give United plenty of fits in midfield. A nice looking pitch belied the fact that the field was full of holes and both teams had trouble keeping possession at times but after about the 15th minute United began to assert themselves. Both teams went into the half with the score tied at 0-0.

United made three changes at the half with Clyde Simms, Fred and newly signed Craig Thompson relieving starters Dan Stratford, Luciano Emilio and Gonzalo Martinez. Fred nearly gave the home side the lead after only being on the field for about two minutes. A fantastic individual effort by the impressive Cordeiro on the left flank got him loose deep inside the Rochester penalty area. Cordeiro then feathered a ball across the face of goal that Fred somehow managed to shoot high and wide from about six yards with only an open net staring at him.

Rochester quickly recovered from that and stung three shots that all narrowly missed the goal inside the next ten minutes, the best of which came off the foot of striker Mauricio Salles who curled a 23 yard shot fractionally wide of the left post.

From that point forward it was all United all the time. They controlled possession but had little to show for it until the 78th minute. Francis Doe was pulled down about 30 yards from goal on the right side of the penalty area. The left footed Burch stepped up and ripped a low screamer through the wall and into the far side netting to give United a 1-0 lead.

"I was just sick of hitting the crossbar." quipped Burch after the match when asked why he chose to shoot low and hard.

Just seven minutes later Burch put the game out of reach. Rod Dyachenko stripped a Rhino midfielder of the ball near the half way line and darted towards goal. Just as Dyachenko was about to make a move into the box, the same player tripped Dyachenko from behind resulting in a free kick right at the top of the D.

Burch again ripped it low and hard through the wall but this time it took a deflection and wrong footed Vallow for the final goal of the match.

DC United will now face the Chicago Fire next week on Tuesday evening at the SoccerPlex. Chicago defeated the Cleveland City Stars 4-1 at Toyota Park this evening.

© 2008 UnitedMania.com.