The D.C. United reserves beat the Northern Virginia Royals 4-0 Monday morning in a 90-minute scrimmage. The squad is preparing for the beginning of the second MLS Reserve Division season.
United easily handled the visiting Royals on the strength of a Lucio Filomeno brace and goals from Matt Nickell and Rod Dyachenko. United controlled possession for much of the match match, allowing their USL Second Division opponents little opportunity to see the ball.
Scoring summary:
DC: Nickell (Simms) 20
DC: Dyachenko 43
DC: Filomeno (J. Carroll) 51
DC: Filomeno (Metcalf) 60
United lineup: McIntosh; Namoff (Wilson 54), McTavish, J. Carroll; Mediate, Simms, Nickell (Metcalf 54), Dyachenko, deRoux; Walker (Nickell 65), Filomeno
Opening match
The reserves will see their first official action on Sunday, when they take on the FC Dallas Reserves on the RFK Training Fields (located off Oklahoma Ave. NE on the north side of RFK Stadium). Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. ET and fans are encouraged to attend. There is no charge for admission.
"Our fans proved last year why they're the best in the league," said United forward Matt Nickell, who was second on the team with four goals in the Reserve Division last year. "We hope they'll come out in force on Sunday as we begin to defend our title."
Last year, the United reserves won the inaugural championship after putting together a record of 8-4 in the single table division.
Double duty
In addition to competing with United's Reserves, first-year forward Andy Metcalf will spend some time on loan with the Richmond Kickers. The Kickers, who, this year are competing in United Soccer League Second Division, dropped their season opener on Sunday 1-0 to the visiting Cincinnati Kings. Metcalf started and played the first 55 minutes. The Memphis product also saw time in a preseason scrimmage with the Kickers.
Erpen's blast
Though the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week will not be named until later in the week, Facundo Erpen's 35-yard blast vs. the Red Bulls on Saturday is already garnering honors. The second-year defender's astonishing strike was named to ESPN's Chris Berman's 'Top 10 Plays of the Week' and as GolTV's 'World-wide Goal of the Week.' The goal was Erpen's second of 2006.
Alecko Eskandarian's first half strike was also nominated as a Sierra Mist Goal of the Week. Fans can vote here >
