Jaime Moreno

2010 US Open Cup Third Round: DC United hold off Richmond 2-0

July 1, 2010 by J.T. Alwin

Highlights – DCUnited.com

A ten minute spurt to begin the second half was all DC United needed to defeat the Richmond Kickers of USL-2 2-0 in the Third Round of the US Open Cup. Jaime Moreno got the ball past Richmond keeper Ronnie Pascal at 47′, and Santino Quaranta followed suit at 56′.

jaime-moreno-vs-richmond-round-3 — Jaime Moreno scored a goal and assisted on another in DC United's 2-0 win over the Richmond Kickers. Photo: DCUnited.com

United held possession through most of the first half, but the Kickers’ defense held firm, and the game was scoreless at halftime. Richmond appeared to gain control at the start of the second half, winning a corner kick in the 47th minute. However, Quaranta, a late first half sub, won control of the ball and fed it deep to Thabiso Khumalo, who hit a perfect pass for Moreno to slot the ball in the left side to give DC a 1-0 lead.

Richmond tried to mount a counterattack, however, an offside call against Edison Elcock ended their chance to equalize. Moments later, Quaranta dribbled into trouble in Richmond’s penalty box, but was able to find Moreno, who got the ball back to Quaranta to deflect it off a defender and into the net. Richmond was able to get a couple more chances in the next ten minutes, but could not capitalize, and DC maintained possession to close out the match.

DC United, who followed 2008’s Open Cup championship with a loss in last year’s finals to Seattle Sounders FC, will host another USL-2 team in the Harrisburg City Islanders on Tuesday, July 6 in the Quarterfinal Round.

SCORING:
DC- Moreno (Khumalo) 47′
DC- Quaranta (Moreno) 56′

DISCIPLINE:
RIC- Henry Kalungi 43′ (yellow, Reckless foul)
DC- Allsopp 74′ (yellow, Delaying restart)

SUBSTITUTIONS:
DC- Quaranta for Emilio, 40′
DC- Pontius for Moreno, 67′
RIC- Villanueva for Vercollone, 67′
RIC- dos Santos for Bothe, 68′
RIC- Nsereko for Burke, 75′
DC- Simms for King, 82′

2009 Semifinals: DC United still has Rochester’s number, advance to Open Cup Final

July 21, 2009 by

Maryland Soccerplex – Boyds, Md.
Match Reports: DC United | Rochester | Washington Post | Democrat & Chronicle
MLSnet.com Matchtracker

	1	FT	2
Tai Atieno (Unassisted) 68’				41’ Jamie Moreno (PK) 82’ Boyzzz Khumalo (Unassisted)

Defending US Open Cup champion DC United, who had to qualify just to get into the 2009 tournament, is one win away from defending their title after a 2-1 Semifinal victory over the Rochester Rhinos. Boyzzz Khumalo’s 82nd minute goal spoiled the Rhinos’ attempt to return to the Open Cup Final for the first time since their historic title run in 1999 and earned DC a chance to win their second straight championship on their home field.

DC United will host the Seattle Sounders at RFK Stadium on September 2. For United it is their fourth Final appearance and will host the championship game for the third time. In the two previous title games at RFK, they have won both of them (1996, 2008).

United held the majority of the possession in the first half and was awarded a penalty kick in the 41st minute. Rhinos defender Ty Harden was called for a handball in the box and Jaime Moreno stepped up to score his 12th career Open Cup goal, which moved him into a tie with current Rhino Johnny Menyongar for the most goals in the Professional Era (1995-present).

With DC continuing to put on the pressure, Rochester fought back and tied the game up in the 68th minute when Tai Atieno put the ball into the back of the net after the ball pinballed around the box after a Rochester free kick from the right wing.

The home team would find the game-winner in the 82nd minute when Chris Pontius, who replaced Moreno as a sub in the second half, found himself on a breakaway with the Rochester goalkeeper. Mella saved Pontius’ attempt, but the ball fell to Khumalo, who put the ball into the empty net for his second goal of the tournament.

Rochester’s struggles with DC United in the Open Cup continue with their fourth loss in as many tries. DC has also defeated them in the 1996 Final as well as the Third Round of the 2000 and 2008 tournaments. DC United are the first club since the Chicago Fire in 2004 to make back-to-back appearance in the Final, and like the Fire failed to do in 2004, losing to Kansas City, they will try to repeat as Open Cup champions. There has not been a back-to-back champion of the tournament since the New York Pancyprian Freedoms won the 1982 and 1983 titles.

2008 US Open Cup Final: DC United brings the Open Cup back to the nation’s capital

August 26, 2008 by Aaron Stollar

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.

2008 Semifinals: DC United knock off defending champs to reach Open Cup Final

August 12, 2008 by

A pair of goals from reigning Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player Luciano Emilio were enough to put DC United one win match away from their first championship in four years with a 3-1 victory over the defending Open Cup champion New England Revolution.

The 1996 Open Cup champions opened the scoring on four minutes with Emilio’s first tally, finishing off a Brian Namoff cross. The Revolution responded in the 34th minute on a goal from Joe Germanese, and the match went to halftime level at one.

Just three minutes into the second half, DC would regain the lead on a goal from Santino Quaranta, assisted by MLS’ all-time scoring leader Jamie Moreno. The match turned when Wells Thompson, playing out of position at right back, was dismissed in the 71st minute as the result of a second yellow card.

United put the match away ten minutes later, when Emilio slipped a cross from Ivan Guererro past Revolution backstop Doug Warren.

DC will now host the Charleston Battery at RFK Stadium on September 3 at 7:30 p.m.

2008 Quarterfinals: Sounders’ Chris Eylander unanimous as Player of the Round

July 9, 2008 by

Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Chris Eylander was a unanimous selection as the TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Quarterfinals. The award was voted on by the TheCup.us staff and members of the North American Soccer Reporters.

Eylander was challenged for the award by Jamie Moreno of DC United, along with goalkeepers Doug Warren of the New England Revolution and Eric Kronberg of the Kansas City Wizards.

The University of Washington alum helped the Sounders earn their fourth straight shutout in the tournament (a Professional Era single-tournament record of 421 shutout minutes), while holding Major League Soccer’s Kansas City Wizards to a scoreless draw through 120 minutes of play. After extra time, Seattle earned their second straight trip to the Semifinals with a 6-5 win in the penalty kick shootout.

Eylander made 13 saves in the match, including two stops (Jimmy Conrad, Tyson Wahl) in the shootout to send the Sounders to a date with fellow USL First Division club, the Charleston Battery on August 12 at Blackbaud Stadium.

The goalkeeper took some time to talk with TheCup.us following his Quarterfinal performance.

TheCup.us: First of all, congratulations on the win on Tuesday and for being named “Player of the Round.” The Wizards definitely put some pressure on your net, forcing you to make 13 saves. Was there a moment for you personally, or a particular defensive stop, where you felt like your defense was going to keep this shutout streak going.

Eylander: Thanks a lot for congratulating me. I don’t remember there being a distinct moment where I knew we were going to shut out the Wizards in regular play. We were under pressure in spells throughout the entirety of the game. Playing in any game a breakdown can occur at any time. I was very determined to do everything I could to keep the ball out of the net and help communicate with the players in front of me to dissallow any unnecessary opportunities on goal.

TheCup.us: In the penalty kick shootout, or any penalty kick shootout, do you just guess, or do you try to read the shooter? What’s your approach?

Eylander: PK tactics can always vary. I don’t think any goalkeeper would like to give out their secrets to how they approach penalties. In general, if you can determine any information from the player’s approach to the ball, this is a whole lot better than a random guess.

TheCup.us: Some MLS teams rest their starters for Open Cup games, but even the ones who field strong lineups are still getting knocked off the last couple of years. Do you feel like the talent gap is closing between the USL-1 and MLS or is the motivation for the USL-1 teams greater?

Eylander: Regardless of who the MLS teams are fielding, you can’t look at the last couple of years in Open Cup play and not see that the USL teams are competing very well with them.

TheCup.us: Sebastien Le Toux has already secured a place on the Seattle MLS roster. Is the prospect of getting a contract with the MLS Sounders creating some extra pressure for the rest of the players on the roster? Is that something that’s talked about among your teammates?

Eylander: I think every one of the players on the team would love the oppurtunity to play at the next level up. It may add a bit of pressure for the players. Playing well consistently thoughout the USL season and performing well against other MLS teams would add a lot of credibility for those looking to play at the MLS level. It isn’t something that I have noticed to be talked about much amongst the players. We understand that taking care of business in league and Open Cup play is the most important area of concentration for the team.

TheCup.us: Do you feel like you will be wearing a Seattle uniform next season?

Eylander: I would very much like to be wearing a Seattle uniform next season.

TheCup.us: Looking ahead to the next round, you’ve got Charleston at Blackbaud Stadium on August 12. Is there a different level of pressure when facing a team you’re familiar with rather than a team you rarely play, or have never played? What’s your outlook for the semifinal matchup with Charleston?

Eylander: The good thing about playing in Charleston for the Semifinals is that we have already played there twice this year. We will be much more familiar with the pitch, the environment and the team as opposed to if we were playing an unknown team for the first time away from home. We will also have more time this round to prepare and get players healthy. The semifinals will be a very challenging game. Charleston has a strong team and will give us a tough match.

About the NASR
The North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) are a group that consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at www.soccerreporters.com.

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The 2008 Seattle Sounders now hold the record for the longest single-tournament shutout streak, but D.C. United have the high mark for longest streak over multiple competitions.

D.C. United (1996-1997, 564 mins.)
09/04/96 2-0 vs. Carolina Dynamo (GK – Jeff Causey) 90 mins.
10/27/96 2-0 vs. Dallas Burn (GK – Mark Simpson) 90 mins.
10/30/96 3-0 vs. Rochester Raging Rhinos (GK – Mark Simpson) 90 mins.
08/06/97 0-0 (PKW 3-2) vs. Hershey Wildcats (GK – Scott Garlick) 120 mins.
08/19/97 2-0 vs. Tampa Bay Mutiny (GK – Scott Garlick) 90 mins.
09/03/97 2-1 vs. San Francisco Bay Seals (GK – Scott Garlick) 84 mins.

Seattle Sounders (2008, 421 mins.)
09/04/07 1-2 vs. FC Dallas (GK – Chris Eylander) 1 min.
06/10/08 1-0 vs. Arizona Sahuaros (GK – Chris Eylander) 120 mins.
06/24/08 6-0 vs. Hollywood United (GK – Chris Eylander) 90 mins.
07/01/08 2-0 vs. Chivas USA (GK – Chris Eylander) 90 mins.
07/08/08 0-0 (PKW 6-5) vs. Kansas City Wizards (GK – Chris Eylander) 120 mins.

Colorado Rapids (1999, 381 mins.)
07/30/97 1-2 vs. Chicago Stingers (GK – Paul Grafer) 46 mins.
07/13/99 1-0 vs. Seattle Sounders (GK – Ian Feuer) 90 mins.
08/13/99 1-0 vs. Tampa Bay Mutiny (GK – Ian Feuer) 90 mins.
09/01/99 3-0 vs. Charleston Battery (GK – Ian Feuer) 90 mins.
09/13/99 0-2 vs. Rochester Raging Rhinos (GK – Ian Feuer) 65 mins.

Carolina RailHawks (2007, 329 mins.)
06/12/07 4-1 vs. RWB Adria (GK Chris McClellan) 14 mins.
06/26/07 4-0 vs. Bavarian SC (GK – Chris McClellan) 90 mins.
07/15/07 1-0 vs. Chicago Fire (GK – John O’Hara) 90 mins.
08/07/07 1-0 vs. Richmond Kickers (GK – Chris McClellan) 90 mins.
09/04/07 1-2 vs. New England Revolution (GK – Chris McClellan) 45 mins.

Charleston Battery (2007, 324 mins.)
08/02/06 3-3 (PKL 3-5) vs. FC Dallas (GK – Dusty Hudock) 1 min.
06/12/07 3-0 vs. Central Florida Kraze (GK – Keith Wiggans) 90 mins.
06/26/07 1-0 vs. El Paso Patriots (GK – Dusty Hudock) 90 mins.
07/10/07 1-0 vs. Houston Dynamo (GK – Dusty Hudock) 120 mins.
08/07/07 1-2 vs. FC Dallas (GK – Dusty Hudock) 23 mins.

San Jose Earthquakes (2000-2001, 292 mins.)
08/09/00 0-2 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (GK – Joe Cannon) 9 mins.
06/27/01 6-0 vs. Central Coast Roadrunners (GK – Jon Conway) 90 mins.
07/11/01 0-0 (PKW 7-6) vs. Milwaukee Rampage (GK – Jon Conway) 120 mins.
07/24/01 1-1 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (GK – Jon Conway) 73 mins.

Dallas Roma FC (2006, 259 mins.)
06/14/06 2-2 (PKW 4-2) vs. Laredo Heat (GK – Jesse Llamas) 14 mins.
06/28/06 1-0 vs. Miami FC (GK – Jesse Llamas) 90 mins.
07/12/06 0-0 (PKW 4-2) vs. Chivas USA (GK – Jesse Llamas) 120 mins.
08/01/06 0-2 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (GK – Nestor Merlo) 35 mins.

Longest Shutout Streak in Professional Era (1995 – present)
DC United (1996-97) 564 mins.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS (2008) 421 mins.
Colorado Rapids (1999) 381 mins.
Carolina RailHawks (2007) 329 mins.
Charleston Battery (2007) 324 mins.
San Jose Earthquakes (2000-01) 292 mins.
Dallas Roma FC (2006) 259 mins.

2008 Quarterfinals: DC United finally puts out the Fire; Blanco gets tossed for punch

July 8, 2008 by

For the first time in franchise history, DC United eliminated the Chicago Fire in a knockout competition, winning 2-1 after extra time in Tuesday’s US Open Cup Quarterfinal match.

The Fire, winners of four Open Cup titles, looked to be on their way to continue their quest for a fifth when Daniel Woolard opened the scoring in the 36th minute. Woolard caught the DC defense out of position after receiving the ball from Logan Pause, and he put it past United goalkeeper Zach Wells to make it 1-0.

The early going was shaky for DC, prompting some changes in the second half. It turned out to be the subs that helped make the difference for United. Jaime Moreno and Francis Doe with fresh legs combined for a 77th minute goal to even things up.

The second half saw the sides more aggressive with five cautions being issued, though the score remained even at full time. The MLS rivals determined to knock each other out of the competition did not hold back with all four substitutions being used by both squads.

The decider occurred nine minutes into the first overtime period when Bryan Namoff headed in a Jaime Moreno corner kick. Soon after, Moreno left the game with an injury but by then, his deeds were done, as the veteran earned two assists for his forty minutes of play. Mexican international Cuautemoc Blanco also saw action in the overtime period but it was to be short lived when after fifteen minutes he found himself ejected for trying to punch United midfielder Clyde Simms. Marc Burch was also shown a red card for retaliating against Blanco. (UPDATE: Blanco given 2-year Open Cup ban)

The second overtime was 10 v 10 with United clinging to their precious lead and outlasting the Fire on their way to the Open Cup Semifinals. DC will make their sixth final four appearance, and their first since 2006, when they lost to the Chicago Fire.