Monday, May 16, 2011

Union drop Reserve League match to DC United

Wallingford, Pa. (May 16, 2011) – D.C. United (3-0-0) remained unbeaten in MLS Reserve League play on Monday, edging Philadelphia Union (1-1-0) by a score of 1-0 at Chester Park. The visitors received a 43rd minute goal from Brandon Barklage off a corner kick and held the Union scoreless throughout.

The first scoring chance of the match came in the opening minutes when Blake Brettschneider broke free on goal, but the 22-year-old forward’s shot slid wide right of the far post.

The Union had an opportunity of their own to break the deadlock in the opening 30 minutes. 2011 third round pick Levi Houapeu worked a give-and-go with Jack McInerney, who laid it off for Houapeu in the area. Houapeu took a touch and fired on frame, but DC goalkeeper Steve Cronin was up to the task, parrying the close-range effort away from danger.

Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath kept the match scoreless in the 41st minute with a diving, fingertip save off a 20-yard shot from Marc Burch following a free kick opportunity, but United would break open the scoring two minutes later.

On United’s second corner in as many minutes, Stephen King sent service in from the right side that found the foot of Barklage, who volleyed it near post past MacMath for a 1-0 lead.

In the second half, Philadelphia nearly equalized in the 54th minute when Houapeu cut the ball inside from the left touchline and fired far post from 22 yards out, but the Ivorian striker’s bending shot was just wide.

In the 79th minute, Ryan Richter got a head on Roger Torres’ corner from the right side, but the on-target attempt was easily corralled by Cronin.

Fred had a chance to double United’s lead in the 86th minute, but his one-timer from the top of the box sailed just over the bar.

Philadelphia will play their next reserve match on the road against Toronto FC on May 29, a day after the two first teams meet at BMO Field. D.C. will return to reserve league action on June 7 at home against the New England Revolution.

Scoring Summary:
DC – Brandon Barklage (Stephen King) 43’

Misconduct Summary:
PHI – Veljko Paunovic (caution; reckless tackle) 22’
PHI – Kyle Nakazawa (caution; reckless tackle) 45’
DC – Fred (caution; reckless tackle) 52’
DC – Chris Korb (caution; reckless tackle) 61’
DC - Blake Brettschneider (caution; reckless tackle) 88’

Philadelphia Union – Zac MacMath; Ryan Richter, M. Farfan, Juan Diego Gonzalez, G. Farfan; Levi Houapeu, Keon Daniel (Mike Gonzalez 67), Kyle Nakazawa, Chris Agorsor; Jack McInerney (Jimmy McLaughlin 46), Veljko Paunovic (Roger Torres 72)

Substitutions Not Used: Zack Steffen

SHOTS: 11; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; CORNERS: 6; FOULS: 22; OFFSIDE: 4; SAVES: 3

D.C. United – Steve Cronin; Marc Burch, Rodrigo Brasesco, Chris Korb, Brandon Barklage; Kurt Morsink (Collin Martin 25), Stephen King, Fred, Mikias Eticha (Tyler Rudy 82), Joseph Ngwenya; Blake Brettschneider

Substitutions Not Used: Joe Willis

SHOTS: 8; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; CORNERS: 3; FOULS: 15; OFFSIDE: 4; SAVES: 5

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