D.C. United fell 1-0 to the Harrisburg City Islanders (United Soccer League Second Division) at Hempfield High School on a warm and muggy evening in Landisville, Pennsylvania. Steve Fisher's goal just before halftime was enough to eliminate the Black-and-Red from the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in front of a packed house of 5,219. The City Islanders advance to the quarterfinal round where they will take on the New England Revolution.
The upstart Harrisburg squad frustrated United for most of the night with high pressure throughout the match.
Despite the frantic pace of the home team, it was the visitors who controlled possession in the early going, creating the first good chance to score in the seventh minute. Marc Burch whipped in a freekick from 25-yards and found Jeff Carroll on the back post. Carroll sent his header back across the goal mouth, but Brad North could not finish the from eight yards, sending the ball just wide of the post.
Harrisburg's first good chance of the half came in the 21st minute when Mo Oduor slid a ball through United's defense to a streaking David Schofield. The forward's first-time shot, however, was tipped wide by a quickly approaching Jay Nolly.
In the 42nd minute, deRoux needed but a small touch to beat goalkeeper Matt Nelson, following Brian Carroll's beautiful long ball behind the defense. The speedy midfielder's touch skipped up off the fieldturf and off his knee, however, and rolled harmlessly out of bounds.
It was just a minute before halftime that Harrisburg would score the lone tally of the evening. The team was awarded a corner kick and Schofield sent a driven ball into the box. Goalkeeper Jay Nolly rushed off his line, but misjudged the knuckler The ball sailed over the goalkeeper's outstretched hands and directly into the path of an onrushing Steve Fisher. The diminutive forward made no mistake and sent his header into the back of the empty net.
The second half saw United increase its possession, as the Islanders pushed more players behind the ball, hoping to hold on to its lead.
Midway through the half, Clyde Simms sent a 25-yard blast slightly high and wide, while second half substitute Josh Gros had a chance from eight yards, but his bid was deflected away from harm.
The half wore on and Harrisburg retreated further into their own half, coming out of their defensive shell only when a long clearance found its way to the team's forwards.
Addlery nearly tied the game in the 79th minute when he received the ball 12 yards from goal off a Clyde Simmer redirected header. Addlery made a quick turn with his first touch and struck a low ball inches wide of the post.
Second half substitute Mira Mupier had perhaps the best chance to even the score just four minutes later when a cross was sent deep into Harrisburg's penalty box. Mupier ran in untested and had only the goalkeeper to beat, but sent his first touch over the bar.
In the waning moments, United pushed players forward and pumped long balls into the box, but Harrisburg was up to the test and sent the ball sailing away from their goal with quick clearances. Five minutes of extra time did not see United even the score and the home team's fans erupted upon the final whistle.
Game Summary:
Scoring summary:
HAR - Steve Fisher (David Schofield) 44
DCU: Jay Nolly; Marc Burch, Bobby Boswell (Devon McTavish 45), Domenic Mediate; Stephen deRoux, Brian Caroll (Josh Gros 45), Clyde Simms, Rod Dyachenko (Justin Moose 65), Jeff Carrolll; Brad North (Mira Mupier 58), Nicholas Addlery.
Subs not used: Shawn Crowe
HAR: Matt Nelson; Ryan Pierce, Dustin Bixler, Tim Velten, Anthony Calvano; Chris Morman (Adam Clay 75), Brian Devlin, Mo Oduor (Mike Lookingland 78), David Schofield (Matt Tanzini 82); Brian Ombiji (Martin Johnson 68), Steve Fisher
Subs not used: Dave Kern, Jani Galik, Nate Baker
DCU - Shots: 5, Save: 2 Fouls: 21, Offside: 2, Corners: 9
HAR - Shots: 3 Save: 0 Fouls: 20, Offside: 3, Corners: 3
Cautions:
HAR - Chris Morman 7
DCU - Stephen deRoux 23
DCU - Nicholas Addlery 27
HAR - Steve Fisher 44
HAR - Brian Devlin 80
DCU - McTavish 87
Referee: Jeff Gonerik
Assistants: Ed Marco, Stan Naugle
4th Official: Ron Mull
Attendance: 5,219
Weather: 77-and-overcast (81% humidity)
