GAME SUMMARY

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 George Mason Stadium
D.C. United               2 (Moreno 47’, Quaranta 56’)
Richmond Kickers    0  

FAIRFAX, VA – The Richmond Kickers were ousted from the U.S. Open Cup in the Third Round by D.C. United of Major League Soccer Wednesday night on a 2-0 scoreline.  Scoreless through the first half, United struck early after the break when a Jaime Moreno tally broke the ice.  Santino Quaranta added their second goal nine minutes later to secure the victory and berth to the quarterfinals for D.C.

After giving up possession in the first ten minutes, United created the first dangerous chance of the night in the 13th minute when Danny Allsopp was brought down just outside of the box.  Taking a short free kick, Jaime Moreno attempted to slip the ball to an unsuspecting Kurt Morsink who drilled the ball directly into the defensive wall.

United looked dangerous again in the 20th minute when legend Jaime Moreno delivered a corner into the box, finding Barry Rice at the penalty spot but his diving header sailed straight to Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale who was able to clear the ball.

The Kickers retaliated on the counter attack as Luke Vercollone gathered the ball in the midfield and fed it to an onrushing Sascha Görres, but Dejan Jakovic was able to tackle the ball out for a corner right before Görres could release his shot.

D.C. looked strong in the 29th minute when defender Andy Najar fed the ball along the touchline to Moreno who stayed onside and carried the ball deep into the right corner.  He played the ball back to a streaking Boyzzz Khumalo who struck from point blank range but Pascale was on his mark and smothered his attempt.

Two minutes later, Burke earned a free kick deep in the right corner and delivered an outswinger into the box.  Vercollone got his foot on the ball, but his volley attempt was stifled by goalkeeper Bill Hamid.

In the closing seconds of the first half, Allsopp gathered a loose ball in the box and slipped it across to an onrushing Moreno, whose direct shot sailed skyward.

The second half started on a perfect note for DC United.  Khumalo gathered the ball on the right wing and played it to Moreno at the top of the box. Although heavily marked, Moreno was able to calmly bury the ball just inside the far post.

In the 49th minute Richmond nearly found the equalizer. A cross by Mike Burke was cleared short to Görres at the top of the box. His shot looked destined for the far corner until a defender’s leg was able to deflect the ball for a corner at the last second.

Ten minutes into the second half, Quaranta was able to increase United’s lead.  After receiving the ball from Moreno just outside the box, Quaranta tried a chip shot and a deflection by the Kickers defense put the ball out of Pascale’s reach.

In the 58th minute, Elcock received a nice through ball on the left wing. One on one with Harnid, his attempt to the far corner missed by inches.

The best chance for Richmond to pull a goal back came in the 66th minute, when defender Dave Hertel played a pass to Matthew Delicate behind the defense.  With only the keeper to beat, the striker took a hard shot from 15 yards out, but Harnid’s legs kept D.C.’s clean sheet.

With Richmond pushing more numbers forward, Quaranta almost capitalized on a counter in the 88th minute, but his shot from 16 yards out went straight to Pascale.

The Richmond Kickers return to regular season action this Saturday, July 3rd when they host the Charleston Battery and the second annual Independence Day Bash.  Festivities begin at 11:00 a.m. and include a one-of-a-kind splash zone featuring a 40-foot slip ‘n slide, dunk tank, inflatable games and live music.  Admission is just $4.00 per person before 12:30 p.m. and Pro Pass holders are admitted free of charge. 

Box Score      First Half     Second Half     Final
D.C. United          0                      2                 2
Richmond             0                      0                 0

Scoring Summary
47th minute: D.C. United - Jaime Moreno (Thabiso Khumalo)
56th minute: D.C. United – Santino Quaranta (Jaime Moreno)

Lineups
D.C. United: GK Bill Hamid, Andy Najar, Dejan Jakovic, Barry Rice, Devon McTavish, Stephen King (Clyde Simms – 82’), Kurt Morsink, Thabiso Khumalo, Luciano Emilio (Santino Quaranta – 40’), Jaime Moreno (Chris Pontius – 67’), Danny Allsopp

Kickers: GK Ronnie Pascale, William Yomby, Roger Bothe (Gerson dos Santos – 68’), Sascha Görres, David Hertel, Henry Kalungi, Luke Vercollone (Jonathan Villanueva – 67’), Mike Burke (Stephen Nsereko – 75’), Bobby Foglesong, Matthew Delicate, Edson Elcock

Shots          Saves           Fouls             Corners
Kickers:  5   Kickers:  3     Kickers:  10    Kickers:   5
United:  11  United:   2     United:  13    United:  7

Cautions:
33rd minute: Henry Kalungi (Richmond)
74th minute: Danny Allsopp (D.C. United)

Ejections:
N/A

Referee:    Richard Sanchez
Assistant Referees:   Kai Goodrich, Jim Sadowski
Fourth Official:    Shawn Papperman
Attendance:    2,985
Weather:    Sunny, 84º