WASHINGTON, D.C. - The D.C. United reserves earned a 4-1 victory over the visiting Real Salt Lake reserves on the strength of a second half hat trick by guest player Robert Ssejjemba. The United reserves improve to 6-3-1, with two games remaining in the reserve schedule, while Salt Lake falls to 4-3-1, with four games yet to play.
Neither team generated meaningful opportunities in the early going, until the 17th minute when United was given a free kick 25 yards from goal. Justin Moose stepped up to the dead ball and struck a well-driven shot that deflected off the Salt Lake wall, past Jay Nolly and into the back of the net.
Salt Lake's best chance of the half came in the 37th minute when Jafet Soto collected the ball more than 25 yards from goal and hit a right-footed strike that sailed well over the bar. Moose had a chance to put United up by two goals, after a long ball from the back saw Ssejjemba lay off a perfectly weighted ball into space for the speedy midfielder. Moose carried the ball in alone on goal, but his slight touch past Nolly rolled wide of the goal.
The 1-0 scoreline at intermission did not last long into the second half, as substitute Josh Gros made a long run with the ball down the left side and into the goal box where he was taken down. Ssejjemba converted the ensuing penalty to Nolly's right, putting United up by two.
Gros' hard running led to D.C.'s third goal in the 77th minute when the midfielder flew past Nik Besagno into the goal box, drew Nolly off his line and slotted a pass to Ssejjemba, who had an easy one-touch finish into the vacated net.
With a few minutes remaining in the game Moose sent a long ball over the top of the defense to the Ssejjemba who went in on Nolly alone and sent a toe poke past the approaching goalkeeper for his third goal of the game.
Salt Lake earned a consolation goal in the game's last minute when Brian Gil fed Adam Acosta, who was slashing through the United defense. Acosta controlled the ball with his first touch and slid a shot past Ryan McIntosh.
The United reserves next home game comes on Sunday, September 24 when the team faces the visiting New York Red Bulls at the RFK Training Fields. Admission to all United reserve games is free.
Scoring summary:
DCU - Justin Moose (unassisted) 17
DCU - Robert Ssejjemba (penalty kick) 53
DCU - Robert Ssejjemba (Josh Gros) 77
DCU - Robert Ssejjemba (Justin Moose) 89
RSL - Adam Acosta (Brian Gil) 90+
D.C. United: Ryan McIntosh; David Stokes, Bobby Boswell (Josh Gros 45), Trevor McEachron (Devon McTavish 65); Jamil Walker (Ryan O'Neill 45), Clyde Simms - captain, Jeff Carroll, Justin Moose, Andy Metcalf, Matt Nickell (Rod Dyachenko 80), Robert Ssejjemba
Real Salt Lake: Jay Nolly; Nelson Akwari, Cameron Knowles (Brian Gil 60), Nik Besagno, Joey Worthen; Chris Brown - captain, Kenny Cutler, Douglas Sequeira (Adam Acosta 45), Jafet Soto (Duke Hashimoto 45); Jamie Watson, Atiba Harris (Leslie Fitzpatrick 80)
Game statistics:
DCU - Shots: 12, Saves: 4, Fouls: 9, Corner kicks: 4, Offsides: 1
RSL - Shots: 7, Saves: 3, Fouls: 10, Corner kicks: 4, Offsides: 2
Misconduct summary:
RSL - Jafet Soto (caution) 34
DCU - Matt Nickell (caution) 34
RSL - Nik Besagno (caution) 70
DCU - David Stokes (caution) 80
