Despite a first half strike from Christian Gomez, D.C. United fell 2-1 to the New York Red Bulls in a 90-minute Valentine's Day scrimmage in Bradenton, Fla. Jozy Altidore and Ansu Toure scored in the second half for the victors.
"Our focus is on February 21st," said United head coach Tom Soehn. "Under difficult conditions, both teams played well in the first half. With the wet conditions and heavy field, 70 minutes feels like 90. In the end, we're building towards being fully fit next Wednesday."
Despite the muddy playing field, D.C. displayed its possession-oriented passing game while New York was more dangerous playing directly. United struck first 38 minutes in.
Jaime Moreno gathered an outlet pass near midfield. Holding off a defender, Moreno turned and sent a quick pass behind the Red Bulls back line for an on-running Gomez. The reigning Honda MLS MVP collected the pass and delicately chipped Ronald Waterreus for a 1-0 lead.
Eight minutes after the break, the Red Bulls were even, taking advantage of a Jay Nolly miscue. A long ball brought Nolly out of his penalty area. Under duress from Altidore, Nolly misplayed the ball, allowing an easy finish for a 1-1 score line.
United worked to regain the lead with a quick restart, freeing Luciano Emilio for a near miss. Jon Conway did well to clear a Gomez free kick from harm's way at the hour mark.
Moments later, New York caught the Black-and-Red on the counter. The resulting three-on-one left Toure with the ball on his foot and no one before him. His tap-in goal gave the Red Bulls the lead.
Nolly recovered to stone a clean breakaway moments later and United remained in the match. Moreno nearly connected on a tremendous far post service from Stephen deRoux in the 67th minute.
Soehn sent on mass substitutions three minutes later and the reserves were primed to even the score late. Conway tipped Jamil Walker's free header over the crossbar in the 82nd minute and the scrimmage was in the books.
D.C. United will resume training Wednesday afternoon and next play on Sunday against the Kansas City Wizards. Kickoff for the scrimmage is set for 10 a.m. ET at IMG Academies.
NOTES
Wednesday's lineup included: Troy Perkins (Nolly-46); Facundo Erpen (John Wilson-70), Bobby Boswell (Jay Needham-70), Bryan Namoff (Devon McTavish-70); Ben Olsen (Kasali Casal-70), Brian Carroll (Stephen deRoux-70), Clyde Simms (Jeff Carroll-70), Christian Gomez (Rod Dyachenko-70), Josh Gros (Brian Arguez-70); Jaime Moreno (Jamil Walker-70), Luciano Emilio (Guy-Roland Kpene-70).
Ryan McIntosh, Domenic Mediate (leg), Justin Moose (hamstring), Matt Nelson, Ricky Schramm and David Stokes did not play in the scrimmage.
Brian Carroll is set to chat on espn.com Thursdayfrom 2 to 2:30 p.m. ET.
Nolly arrived in Bradenton Tuesday night in time to join the Black-and-Red for dinner. Following a routine physical Wednesday morning, he arrived at the scrimmage in the 25th minute.
