Match Reports

United lets another one get away; draw 1-1 at Columbus

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.

 

United takes the deserved lead through a 33rd minute goal from Christian Gomez and rolls into halftime with a comfortable 1-0 lead.  United comes out of the locker room on fire and is hammering down on the Columbus goal only to see Crew goalkeeper Will Hesmer keep the Black and Red at bay. Then, somehow, you just knew it was going to happen. A defensive lapse by rookie midfielder Rodney Wallace allowed United killer Alejandro Moreno to pounce on a flicked on ball from Steven Lenhardt and calmly slot past a charging Josh Wicks to tie the match at 1-1.

It was Columbus’ only shot on goal the entire second half.

In a season that has seen it’s share of miracle comebacks, perhaps it’s just Murphy”s Law that is imposing itself on United in allowing yet another opponent to stay close and eventually catch United. This game wasn’t even close with United outshooting the home side by a 22 to 9 margin with 11 of United’s shots on target opposed to only 3 on frame for the Champions of MLS.

United’s goal came about from a determined attack that saw no less than 7 United players involved before Gomez slotted past Hesmer in the 33rd minute. The play started in midfield when Gomez’s pass was inadvertantly deflected by teamate Chris Pontius towards the Crew goal. Ange N’Silu pressured defender Andy Iro and forced him into Will Hesmer who’s hurried clearance fell to Clyde Simms. Simms’ shot was well saved by Hesmer and the rebound found it’s way to the right wing. N’Silu crossed immediately to the back post where Pontius cleverly headed back towards the penalty spot. The ball deflected off Crew defender Danny O’Rourke and right into the path of Gomez who easily beat Hesmer to give United the 1-0 lead.

After the break United poured on the pressure and somehow managed to not take the lead. But in true United fashion this season, their inattentiveness cost them three points in the 59th minute. Substitute midfielder Fred was slow to close down a rather harmless cross by Emmanuel Ekpo from the left flank. The ball was headed on by Lenhardt to the shockingly wide open Moreno who took one touch and then slotted underneath Josh Wicks for the final goal of the game. The goal could have been prevented had Rodney Wallace backtracked and gotten goal side of Moreno. When Wallace realized he had allowed Moreno too much space, it was too late to close before the Venezuelan poached another goal against United.

United will now have another two week break before returning to MLS action on July 18th at home versus the Colorado Rapids. In the meantime they will take on the Harrisburg City Islanders (USL II) on Tuesday evening in the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, MD. The match starts at 7:30pm

 

United Notes

- United was missing four starters tonight. Jaime Moreno and Luciano Emilio through injury and Santino Quaranta (USA) and Dejan Jakovic (Canada) for Gold Cup duty. Moreno and Emilio will most probably be ready for their next match on July 18th. Both of them will miss the Open Cup quarterfinal on Tuesday

- Ben Olsen played his first full 90 minute match since returning from injury. Gomez also went the full 90.

- Greg Janicki had a solid match in place of Jakovic

- Columbus was without two of their top stars as Chad Marshall and Robbie Rogers were both at the Gold Cup with the USA

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