Maryland Soccerplex – Boyds, Md.
Match Reports: DC United | Washington Post | Patriot-News
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2
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FT
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1 |
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Boyzzz Khumalo (McTavish) 8’
Andrew Jacobsen (Fred) 18’
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50’ Mo Odour – SENT OFF
65’ Nicki Paterson (Unassisted)
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MLS Eastern Conference leaders and US Open Cup holders DC United took a step closer to repeating as champions by defeating USL-2 front runners Harrisburg City Islanders in a closely contested Quarterfinal matchup seen by over 2000 fans at the Maryland Soccerplex.
DC, trying to avoid a repeat of the 2007 match between the two clubs that saw Harrisburg eliminate them 1-0, took an early lead in the game through an 8th minute goal by Boyzzz Khumalo. Devon McTavish served up the cross from the right side and the South Africa native headed it home.
Ten minutes later, United added some insurance when Andrew Jacobson repeated the feat with his head off a corner kick delivered by Fred. DC would hang on to the two-goal advantage into halftime.
The second half should have been smooth sailing with the sending off of Harrisburg’s Mo Oduor nine minutes in, but the City Islanders put up a fight and kept the hosts on the defensive. Even with a man down, Harrisburg got on the board in the 64th minute thanks to Nicki Paterson’s shot after recovering a loose ball in the box.
With Harrisburg having the momentum and the pressure mounting for DC, play intensified. The City Islanders continued to create chances while drawing two late cautions by Ange N’Silu and Christian Gomez. DC fans were able to breathe a sigh of relief as the equalizer was not realized when regulation ended 2-1 in favor of United who now face the Rochester Rhinos in the Semifinals.
History is on the defending champions’ side as they have beaten the Rhinos all three times they have played them in Open Cup play, including the 1996 Open Cup Final.