D.C. United finished the first week of training in Bradenton, Fla., with a 4-2 victory over the Columbus Crew in a 120-minute scrimmage. Luciano Emilio scored twice and Jaime Moreno and Christian Gomez tallied for the Black-and-Red on the campus of IMG Academies.
"We had moments today where we really displayed some good stuff," said United Head Coach Tom Soehn. "Our next step, however, is to consistently play at that level. We were creative and held a lot of possession until we became tired. We worked hard, considering the hard work we've put in all week, and I'm pleased with the effort from all of our guys."
Focusing on possession and high pressure, United held the better of play from the onset. Fourteen minutes in, the Black-and-Red took the lead when Gomez pressure forced an awkward back pass to Crew goalkeeper Jon Busch. Under duress, Busch attempted to clear, but Emilio had closed the angle. The Brazilian striker tackled the ball sending it directly into the net for a 1-0 lead.
Minutes later, Troy Perkins made a tremendous reflex save on a Joseph Ngwenya blast to the near post, keeping the Black-and-Red in front. A half-hour in, Ben Olsen won the ball in the midfield and played Emilio into the box. Holding the ball with his back to the goal, Emilio pushed the ball wide to Josh Gros. Gros' centering ball found a cutting Moreno for a clinical finish and a 2-0 lead.
United struck again at the 45-minute mark. After beautiful interplay between Moreno, Olsen and Emilio nearly resulted in a goal, Gomez sent a corner kick through the goalmouth. Gros tracked the loose ball down on the right flank and sent another dangerous pass into the mixer. Untouched, the ball made its way back to Gomez, just to the left of the penalty area. The reigning Major League Soccer MVP calmly picked a spot at the far post and expertly placed a bending shot into the side netting.
After Columbus had whittled the lead with a Kai Kamara tally, Emilio scored again. Clyde Simms chipped a ball over the Crew back line. Unchallenged, Emilio completed the brace, beating Busch again for a 4-1 lead at the hour mark.
Soehn made wholesale changes after 60 minutes, but the reserves continued to control the pace and style of play. Crew goalkeeper Andy Gruenenbaum kept the game in check, stuffing a Stephen deRoux breakaway, forcing a chip by John Wilson wide and saving a Rod Dyachenko spot kick. Aaron Chandler's late goal provided the final 4-2 margin.
D.C. United will enjoy a much-deserved day off tomorrow before returning to work on Tuesday. The club will next play Wednesday, February 14 against the New York Red Bulls.
NOTES
Today's line-up included: Perkins (Ryan McIntosh-60, Matt Nelson-90); Facundo Erpen (David Stokes-60), Bobby Boswell (Jay Needham-60, Kasali Casal-110), Bryan Namoff (Wilson-60, Guy-Roland Kpene-105); Olsen (Devon McTavish-60), Brian Carroll (Jeff Carroll-60), Simms (Brian Arguez-60), Gomez (Justin Moose-60), Gros (deRoux-60); Emilio (Dyachenko-60, Ricky Schramm-114), Moreno (Jamil Walker-60).
Kiki Willis has returned to his native Youngstown, Ohio in order to deal with the infection in his big toes that has rendered him unable to train. Domenic Mediate continues to rehab his surgically repaired right leg, but has not yet been cleared to play. Nelson has joined United on trial from the VA Beach Mariners.
