Jeff Cunningham scored three first half goals for Real Salt Lake and D.C. United fell 3-1 Friday in exhibition action at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla. Christian Gomez briefly knotted the score at one, but Cunningham was the star of the day, finding space behind United's defense and scoring nearly each time opportunity presented itself. The Black-and-Red fall to 1-1-1 in preseason play.
"My players looked tired today," said United head coach Peter Nowak. "We missed chances up front and made mistakes in the back. We're going to go back to real work. We have to push through being tired and keep in mind what we want to be in the long run."
D.C. United nearly took the lead in the first minute. From the kickoff the Black-and-Red strung together a series of passes and found an overlapping John Wilson in space. His quality cross found a streaking Jaime Moreno, but the Bolivian's redirection passed just over the crossbar.
Real Salt Lake would gather itself and soon capitalized on their first chance of the game. A long ball from the defense skipped past Wilson at midfield to a running Atiba Harris. Harris gained the penalty area before finding Cunningham on a far post run. The striker's one-time full volley in the 14th minute curled just inside the far post leaving Troy Perkins without hope to deny the bid.
United rose to the occasion, tying the score four minutes later. After Moreno was taken down just outside the penalty area, Gomez and Freddy Adu stood over the ball. With the ball sitting just to the left of center, Gomez opted to shoot and placed a powerful bending ball into the far upper 90.
The Black-and-Red continued to pressure. Adu found Devon McTavish free on the right flank, but the rookie's attempt was deflected by Jay Nolly and cleared from harm's way by the RSL defense.
Cunningham then struck again in the 28th minute. After receiving the ball at the top of the box, the forward was stood up by Wilson. Cunningham, however, turned and found just enough daylight to get his shot off, surprising Perkins and beating the goalkeeper low.
Cunningham finished the scoring by using his speed to find space from Clyde Simms before launching a right-footed blast to the far post side netting.
Nowak inserted 10 new players at the half and was rewarded with steady defense and an aggressive attack as the Black-and-Red pressured throughout.
Andy Metcalf broke down his defender before his strong shot was parried away by Nolly in the 52nd minute. At the hour mark, Joey Worthen flicked a ball behind the RSL defense where Jamil Walker found space. A sprawling Nolly saved his shot, though. Walker returned the favor to Worthen in the 80th minute, but the trialist's left-footed bid missed just wide of the near post.
United return to action Tuesday morning against the Kansas City Wizards. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. ET at the IMG Academies.
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