On a hot and muggy evening in Richmond,, Va., D.C. United's reserves fell 3-2 to the reigning USL Second Division champion Richmond Kickers Tuesday. Two long distance goals - one from Justin Moose and one from Marc Burch - were not enough for the Black-and-Red, as Richmond tallied one goal in the first half and two in the second in front of 2,798 at University of Richmond City Stadium.
The Kickers nearly opened the scoring in the sixth minute after Matt Watson collected an errant pass in the midfield, carried the ball into the corner and whipped a bending ball into the box. The ensuing header from Ricky Schraam found the back of the net, but the forward was judged to have been in an offside position.
United controlled possession and pace for much of the early going. In the 19th minute, Guy-Roland Kpene collected a ball outside the Richmond goal box and struck a strong shot towards the far post, but his bid sailed a few feet wide.
Minutes later, Richmond got on the scoreboard first when Steven Wolfe collected the ball deep in the left corner. The midfielder slid past two United defenders to the endline and fed a low ball back towards the penalty spot. Schraam would not be denied a second time and slotted the pass first-time into the far right side of the goal past a helpless Jay Nolly.
Maintaining possession down the stretch, United created a handful of chances to close out the first half.
In the 31st minute, Nicholas Addlery had a half-decent chance when he received a ball 18-yards from goal via Stephen deRoux's efforts. Addlery turned into space and struck a curling shot that fell directly into the hands of goalkeeper Mark Murphy.
Eight minutes from halftime United's Brad North almost tucked away a Burch corner, but the ball snuck just wide of the post. The last good chance of the first 45 minutes came when Burch struck a laser from 22-yards in the 39th minute, but his attempt sailed wide right.
The second half opened with little fanfare, as both teams began to noticeably feel the heat and more space was being found in the midfield. D.C. and Richmond continued to trade possession and it was nearly the hour mark when United got on the board.
Second half substitute Rod Dyachenko collected the ball near midfield and carried the ball towards goal. As the defense collapsed upon him, Dyachenko fed a square ball to a trailing Moose. Moose took one touch towards goal and drove a 25-yard blast into the top right corner of the net past a diving Murphy.
Richmond restored its one-goal advantage in the 66th minute when David Bulow sent a through ball to a sprinting Freddy Smith. Smith - who had run past United's defenders - carried the ball unchallenged into United's box and struck a low drive past the approaching Shawn Crowe.
Addlery nearly drew United even in the 75th minute when he sent a Dyachenko cross towards goal from eight yards. His header, however, was tipped wide by Murphy and out of danger.
Richmond increased its lead in the 83rd minute when awarded a penalty kick. The spot kick was given when John Wilson tripped a Richmond forward just inside the goal box. Substitute Mike Burke took the ensuing penalty kick and slotted the ball to the left of Crowe, who guessed incorrectly and fell to his right.
United crept back into the game in the waning moments when Burch struck a laser from 25-yards that snuck through the hands of Murphy. The goal would not be enough, however, as the referee blew the whistle before United could draw even.
D.C. United @ Richmond Kickers
June 19, 2007
University of Richmond Stadium
Scoring summary:
RIC - Ricky Schraam (Steven Wolfe) 26
DCU - Justin Moose (Rod Dyachenko) 59
RIC - Freddy Smith (David Bulow) 66
RIC - Mike Burke (penalty kick) 83
DCU - Marc Burch 88
Richmond: Mark Murphy; Stephen Wolfe (Sasha Gorres 70), Kevin Edwards, Charlie Howe, Trevor McEachron (Kelvin Jones 45); Freddy Smith (Mike Burke 81), Trey Alexander (Brian Morris 45), Matt Watson (David Bulow 45), Evan Harding (Ralph Pace 45); Nowaf Jaman, Ricky Schramm (Robert Ssejjemba 81)
Subs not used: Ronnie Pascale
D.C. United: Jay Nolly (Shawn Crowe 45); John Wilson, Clyde Simms (Devon McTavish 71), Domenic Mediate, Stephen deRoux; Marc Burch, Jeff Carroll, Justin Moose, Brad North; Guy-Roland Kpene (Rod Dyachenko 45), Nicholas Addlery.
RIC - Shots: 8, Saves: 4, Fouls: 7, Corner kicks: 3, Offside: 6
DCU - Shots: 14, Saves: 3, Fouls: 13, Corner kicks: 7, Offside: 0
Cautions:
RIC - Trey Alexander (caution) 44
DCU - John Wilson (caution) 45
DCU - Stephen deRoux (caution) 89
DCU - Marc Burch (caution) 90+
Attendance: 2,798
