Second half goals from D.C. United's Jamil Walker and John Wilson proved to be the difference in Reserve league play, as the Black-and-Red topped the visiting MetroStars 2-1. Following the victory, United is in position to capture the inaugural reserve division championship. With a win or draw at home next Sunday (kickoff 10:00 a.m.) over the Columbus Crew, United is assured of first place in the single-table division.
"It wasn't pretty," said United midfielder Shawn Kuykendall of Sunday's game, which was played under wet and sloppy field conditions. "We battled hard, though, and showed the resolve this team has. The crowd today was great and we need everyone to come out and support us next Sunday, so we can bring home the reserve championship."
United and the MetroStars traded chances early in the first half, as Walker sent a Kuykendall corner kick over the goal from eight yards in the fifth minute and Michael Bradley took a Mike Magee pass off a free kick and drilled a low shot left of the goal in the ninth. In the 21st minute of play, Kuykendall sent a bending free kick into the box and the path of Matt Nickell who sent his header just over the bar from eight yards.
There were few significant chances until just before halftime, when Bradley collected a ball 22 yards from goal and sent a low, well- driven shot to Troy Perkin's right, which required a diving save from the goalkeeper.
The second half saw United putting pressure on the MetroStars defense and in the 53rd minute of play, Walker struck for his eighth goal of the reserve division campaign. The play began when Kuykendall won a ball on the MetroStars half of the field and fed a pass to Walker on the right side of the goal box. Walker cut back onto his left with his second touch and drilled a low showt past a diving Zach Wells to put D.C. up 1-0.
The MetroStars, though, would answer just six minutes later, as the visitors were awarded a free kick 22 yards from goal. Bradley stepped up and hit a bending ball from the right side of the field into the far left corner of the goal to knot the scoreline.
United's Matt Nickell almost put the Black-and-Red back on top when he corralled the ball near the top of the MetroStars goal box and hammered a left-footed, bending ball past Wells, only to have the ball careen off the crossbar and out of harm's way.
In the 76th minute, Wilson scored the game-winner, when the defender received a long pass on the right side of the field from Walker. Wilson, 25 yards from goal, struck a curving ball toward goal, catching Wells off his goal line. The dipping ball flew over the head of Wells and into the far left corner of the goal to give United the 2-1 advantage.
The MetroStars fall to 4-3-4, while United improves to 7-4. The entire reserve division will wrap up play next weekend. The winner takes home a prize of $20,000.
D.C. United Reserves (7-4) vs. MetroStars Reserves (4-3-4)
October 9, 2005 - RFK Auxiliary Field
Scoring Summary:
DC - Jamil Walker 8 (Shawn Kuykendall 1) 53
MET - Michael Bradley 1 (Unassisted) 59
DC - John Wilson 1 (Jamil Walker 3) 76
D.C. United - Troy Perkins, John Wilson, Bobby Boswell, Stephen deRoux, Nick Van Sicklen, Shawn Kuykendall, Clyde Simms, Roland Aguilera (Nana Kuffour 46), Josh Gros (Jason Thompson 46), Jamil Walker (Tim Merritt 89), Matt Nickell (Josh Rife 82)
MetroStars - Zach Wells, Ryan Suarez, Jeff Parke, Seth Stammler, Daniel Garipe, Tim Ward, Chris Leitch, Eric Quill, Michael Bradley, Mike Magee (Robens Jerome 54), Jerrod Lavanteur (Chris Corcoran 62)
D.C. United - Shots: 11, Saves: 4, Fouls: 16, Offsides: 2, Corner Kicks: 5
MetroStars - Shots: 5, Saves: 4, Fouls: 13, Offsides: 3, Corner Kicks: 2
Misconduct Summary:
MET - Ryan Suarez (caution) 23
MET - Jeff Parke (caution) 30
DC - Josh Gros (caution) 41
DC - Nana Kuffour (caution) 56
MET - Michael Bradley (caution) 77
Attendance: 187
