The rough start to the season continued for D.C. United as the Black-and-Red suffered a 1-0 loss to the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium on Saturday evening.
A strike by Ezra Hendrickson midway through the first half was enough doom United. Despite no goals, the second half also had some strikes, in the form of lightning that led to a match suspension -- with six minutes left to play -- for 24 minutes.
D.C., wearing maroon in honor of Virginia Tech University, lost for the third consecutive match to begin the season and for the first time to the Crew since April 15, 2005. It was the first time in league history the winners of the Supporters' Shield the previous season had lost their first three games to open the next.
United head coach Tom Soehn decided to stick with the team's traditional 3-5-2, but opted for Fred wide on the right of midfield with Devon McTavish sliding back to replace Facundo Erpen in the back three. The move was foreshadowed at halftime of D.C.'s last match, a 4-2 loss two weeks ago against Kansas City.
But it was the Crew that started the better of the two teams. In the 20th minute, Frankie Hejduk picked off a clearance and Kei Kamara corralled the ball. His centering pass was deflected, but Hejduk chased it down and found Joseph Ngwenya; he drilled his shot right into the arms of Troy Perkins.
D.C. went behind in the 28th minute after poor passing led to a quick Crew attack. Hendrickson intercepted a pass and the ball was rapidly worked out to Ngwenya on the left wing. He drove toward the near post and laid the ball back to Hendrickson in the heart of the area.
The lanky defender beat Perkins with his effort, but the shot was played off the line by McTavish. D.C. was unable to clear the ball away and Hendrickson made no mistake with his second chance, thumping it into the back of the net.
United immediately attempted to bring the match even, but Fred's blistering shot was saved by Crew 'keeper Andy Gruenebaum. Through Luciano Emilio, D.C. did find the back of the net in the 38th minute, but the Brazilian rightly earned a caution for punching the ball past Gruenebaum with his fist.
United began the second stanza much better than the first, with Fred unlucky not to get a goal six minutes after the break. Jaime Moreno found Fred with acres of space near the penalty spot, but his first touch was less than perfect and Marcos Gonzalez recovered to block the shot.
In the 68th minute, Christian Gomez, 10 minutes after receiving a yellow card when referee Jorge Gonzalez ruled he simulated going down in trying to earn a penalty kick, was obstructed by Hendrickson right on the edge of the penalty area. Hendrickson was fortunate not to be sent off himself, having already been booked.
On the ensuing free kick, Gruenebaum made a diving save to his left to keep Gomez's free kick out of the net.
The Crew pressed for a second goal in the last quarter hour and should have doubled their lead. Stefani Miglioranzi and Jason Garey both failed to hit the net when they were free in the United penalty area and the goal at their mercy.
Following the delay, neither team really created a quality chance and the Crew held on for the victory in front of the faithful fans that stayed to the end.
John Kuhn is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
