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′.
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′