DC United celebrates their 2008 US Open Cup title. Photo: BehindTheBadge.com
DC United captured their second US Open Cup championship with a 2-1 win over the Charleston Battery of the USL First Division. Luciano Emilio scored in the fifth minute when the ball was cleared just outside the box, and while striking the ball he slips onto the turf, but somehow finds a way to put it in the upper 90 to give DC United the lead.
Emilio injured himself on the play, hurting his groin, and he had to be subsequently subbed out of the match. Charleston answered five minutes later after Chris Williams found Ian Fuller deep in United territory, who fired a shot past DC goalkeeper Louis Crayton to level the match at 1-1.
In the 51st minute, DC United midfielder Fred received a pass in behind the defense and beat Battery goalkeeper Dusty Hudock to give the home side a 2-1 lead. Fred’s goal would prove to be the game-winner despite some quality chances from the underdogs from South Carolina. It was the first Open Cup championship for United since they became the first MLS team to lift the trophy back in 1996 when they defeated the A-League’s Rochester Raging Rhinos 3-0.