D.C. United's seven-match unbeaten streak came crashing to an end Saturday night as they fell 2-1 to league-worst Real Salt Lake at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Robbie Findley scored goals on either side of halftime to give Real their first victory of the season in their 12th game. Luciano Emilio scored his four goal in the last three games, making things interesting over the last few minutes.
In his first appearance between the posts for United, Jay Nolly got off to a rocky start. In just the first minute he let a corner kick get over him and find the head of a wide open Carey Talley. Luckily, the RSL midfielder's header was cleared off the line by Facundo Erpen.
High pressure from RSL on Erpen caused the central defender to direct a poor clearance right into the the path of Salt Lake midfielder Andy Williams in the 16th minute. Williams wasted no time, firing a quick shot that skipped past a diving Nolly and wide of the goal.
The fans at Rice-Eccles stadium remembered Nolly, who was traded from Salt Lake to D.C. in the offseason. When Nolly sent a goal kick in the 18th minute, high into the seats over the sideline, the United goalkeeper received an extra loud dose of mocking cheers.
United continued to absorb an energetic RSL attack through much of the first half. Rather than allowing goals, United gave up several corners to Salt Lake, five to be exact. None of the corners was damaging to the score sheet, but the constant pressure eventually proved too much for the visitors.
In the 41st minute a long ball from RSL defender Jean-Martial Kipre reached Robbie Findley in behind Bobby Boswell, and the rookie striker -- making his first appearance for RSL after a trade from the Los Angeles Galaxy earlier in the week -- was kept onside by a trailing Erpen. Findley exploded toward goal and calmly beat Nolly low inside the far post with a rolling shot from just inside the area.
The goal brought a change, but not a defensive one. United coach Tom Soehn brought on Guy-Roland Kpene for Rod Dyachenko, who again started in attack alongside Emilio.
Findley struck again on the other side of the intermission, sent in behind the United defense by Alecko Eskandarian and again going in solo against Nolly. Again he beat him with a low shot, this time inside the near post in the 50th minute.
United pressed furiously into the attack off the ensuing kickoff. Team captain Ben Olsen squared-up a shot that was barely slapped over the bar by RSL 'keeper Nick Rimando, who was with United a year ago.
Former D.C. United striker Alecko Eskandarian spun through the defense of his former teammates in the 52nd minute. Eskandarian was able to crack a shot that Nolly was able to get a hand on and push over the bar.
The visitors settled into their game in the later stages of the match. Over the final half-hour they were able to build a rhythm of passing that allowed them to advance into and remain in the RSL defensive third. But, even with the steady possession and movement forward, United were unable to find the final dangerous touch until the 87th minute.
After Kipre was unable to clear a skipped centering ball in front of the RSL goal, Fred poked the ball out from between his legs and Emilio tapped an easy ball into an open net to pull United within a goal -- and give the RSL supporters a memory of a year ago, when they saw their team score twice after the 90th minute to grab a dramatic 2-1 victory.
In stoppage time substitute Guy Roland-Kpene had a beautiful chance to bring United level. A bad header from RSL midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy - that traveled back into his own box - found Kpene with only Rimando to beat. The young Ivorian brought the ball down with his foot, but sent his shot well high of the charging Rimando and the goal, and with it went the final United chance.
Scott McAllister is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
