|
|
Namoff Goal Lifts D.C. Past Host Chicago
D.C. United defender Bryan Namoff's 11th minute header led United past the Chicago Fire 1-0 at Toyota Park on Saturday night. United managed to hold off the Fire the rest of the match, as Chicago slumped to a fourth loss at home.
Aug 31, 2009 6:19:46 AM
D.C. United, which had not won in the league since July 18 against the Colorado Rapids, jumped Toronto FC in the Eastern Conference standings with a win over the Chicago Fire, while Chicago remained stationary in second place, one point behind the Columbus Crew.
Chicago made three changes from the team that came from two goals down to stun Colorado at home last week. With Dasan Robinson suspended, Mike Banner stepped into the Chicago back line. John Thorrington and Patrick Nyarko started in place of Peter Lowry and Stefan Dimitrov. For United, the lone change to the side the draw with the Galaxy was the introduction of Julius James for Rodney Wallace, as United switched to a 4-4-2 formation.
First Half
It was a cagey opening in the match. Through the first ten minutes, neither side was able to stamp their authority in the match, as the action went back and forth. Both sides had a couple of chances to create some dangerous moments, but the quality final ball was missing.
11 minutes in, everything changed. United won a free kick 35 yards out from goal on the right hand side. Veteran playmaker Christian Gomez took the free kick for D.C. and sent an inviting ball into the middle of the box. Defender Bryan Namoff beat his man to the ball and planted a well placed header beyond Chicago 'keeper Jon Busch, handing United the early advantage with his second goal of the season.
Chicago immediately began to up the pressure and intensity, looking for an equalizer immediately. Minutes later, C.J Brown had a decent opportunity from a Cuauhtémoc Blanco free kick, but his powerful header was straight into the hands of United 'keeper Josh Wicks.
While Chicago enjoyed the better of the chances in the first half, United was equally determined in defense not to present a golden opportunity for an equalizing goal. The Fire had those "almost" moments in the first half. Twice John Thorrington was in a decent position to find a goal, but twice he was denied by a staunch United defense.
With United defending deeply throughout the first half, Chicago inevitably had a couple of set piece opportunities. One of the best chances came in the 39th minute, when Marc Burch conceded a free kick just outside the box. Blanco took the kick and sent Wicks the wrong way, but he put his shot too high.
By the end of the first 45 minutes though, Chicago failed to create any real goal scoring opportunities. United succeeded in absorbing what the Fire threw at them, defending the one goal lead.
Second Half
The opening stages of the second half lacked the tempo of the game that the first half saw. Chicago began a more deliberate approach to its attacking impetus. United continued to defend deeply but was able to adjust to the measured approach to Chicago's attack, a change from the quick pace in the first half.
United started to earn more possession of the ball, keeping hold of it for a couple of long stretches to limit Chicago's attacking prowess. Most of this possession ended without a chance for D.C., but the slowing tempo began to wear down Chicago, as Fire players were forced to chase the ball more than they would have liked. Mike Banner did have a good look from a free kick for Chicago, but his quick shot was well held by Wicks.
Following a long period of possession, United had a decent chance at a second goal in the 63rd minute, but Ben Olsen poked his effort just wide from inside the box. Burch sent a long ball into the box, which Santino Quaranta knocked back towards the middle. Olsen was first to the ball, but the pressure being applied to him forced him to put his shot wide.
As the game entered the final fifteen minutes of the match, Chicago increased the intensity once again and began to create several dangerous opportunities. However, as the case with the rest of the match, Chicago disappointed when it came to that cutting edge final ball. The buildup play was sufficient, but once it came to the final pass it was always just off for Chicago.
The game ended in several moments of madness for United. Chicago pushed forward looking for the equalizer, while United dropped back deeper, looking to defend the one goal lead for a couple of more minutes. Blanco had a well placed cross into the box for Banner, whose header was about to be caught by Wicks. Julius James dealt with the ball first however, putting it just over the goal, conceding a corner kick. Chicago failed to make the corner count, and United escaped the danger.
With an additional four minutes in the match, Chicago gave one final push for an equalizing goal. Substitute Justin Mapp had an opportunity from just outside the box, but his right footed effort was saved by Wicks. While having to defend against Chicago's attacks, United nearly imploded in upon themselves. Wicks knocked out a free kick for a corner, then got into the face of his defender Burch. Both he and Burch pushed each other, while Chicago quickly took their corner kick. Wicks then dropped the cross in, only to recover in time to eliminate the danger.
The Fire had one more opportunity from a corner kick but took it short and Wicks, after some initial trouble with the cross, eventually was able to get a hold of the ball. Shortly after, the game ended, as United held on to the 1-0 win, the team's second win away from home all season.
Steven Streff, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
Chicago made three changes from the team that came from two goals down to stun Colorado at home last week. With Dasan Robinson suspended, Mike Banner stepped into the Chicago back line. John Thorrington and Patrick Nyarko started in place of Peter Lowry and Stefan Dimitrov. For United, the lone change to the side the draw with the Galaxy was the introduction of Julius James for Rodney Wallace, as United switched to a 4-4-2 formation.
First Half
It was a cagey opening in the match. Through the first ten minutes, neither side was able to stamp their authority in the match, as the action went back and forth. Both sides had a couple of chances to create some dangerous moments, but the quality final ball was missing.
11 minutes in, everything changed. United won a free kick 35 yards out from goal on the right hand side. Veteran playmaker Christian Gomez took the free kick for D.C. and sent an inviting ball into the middle of the box. Defender Bryan Namoff beat his man to the ball and planted a well placed header beyond Chicago 'keeper Jon Busch, handing United the early advantage with his second goal of the season.
Chicago immediately began to up the pressure and intensity, looking for an equalizer immediately. Minutes later, C.J Brown had a decent opportunity from a Cuauhtémoc Blanco free kick, but his powerful header was straight into the hands of United 'keeper Josh Wicks.
While Chicago enjoyed the better of the chances in the first half, United was equally determined in defense not to present a golden opportunity for an equalizing goal. The Fire had those "almost" moments in the first half. Twice John Thorrington was in a decent position to find a goal, but twice he was denied by a staunch United defense.
With United defending deeply throughout the first half, Chicago inevitably had a couple of set piece opportunities. One of the best chances came in the 39th minute, when Marc Burch conceded a free kick just outside the box. Blanco took the kick and sent Wicks the wrong way, but he put his shot too high.
By the end of the first 45 minutes though, Chicago failed to create any real goal scoring opportunities. United succeeded in absorbing what the Fire threw at them, defending the one goal lead.
Second Half
The opening stages of the second half lacked the tempo of the game that the first half saw. Chicago began a more deliberate approach to its attacking impetus. United continued to defend deeply but was able to adjust to the measured approach to Chicago's attack, a change from the quick pace in the first half.
United started to earn more possession of the ball, keeping hold of it for a couple of long stretches to limit Chicago's attacking prowess. Most of this possession ended without a chance for D.C., but the slowing tempo began to wear down Chicago, as Fire players were forced to chase the ball more than they would have liked. Mike Banner did have a good look from a free kick for Chicago, but his quick shot was well held by Wicks.
Following a long period of possession, United had a decent chance at a second goal in the 63rd minute, but Ben Olsen poked his effort just wide from inside the box. Burch sent a long ball into the box, which Santino Quaranta knocked back towards the middle. Olsen was first to the ball, but the pressure being applied to him forced him to put his shot wide.
As the game entered the final fifteen minutes of the match, Chicago increased the intensity once again and began to create several dangerous opportunities. However, as the case with the rest of the match, Chicago disappointed when it came to that cutting edge final ball. The buildup play was sufficient, but once it came to the final pass it was always just off for Chicago.
The game ended in several moments of madness for United. Chicago pushed forward looking for the equalizer, while United dropped back deeper, looking to defend the one goal lead for a couple of more minutes. Blanco had a well placed cross into the box for Banner, whose header was about to be caught by Wicks. Julius James dealt with the ball first however, putting it just over the goal, conceding a corner kick. Chicago failed to make the corner count, and United escaped the danger.
With an additional four minutes in the match, Chicago gave one final push for an equalizing goal. Substitute Justin Mapp had an opportunity from just outside the box, but his right footed effort was saved by Wicks. While having to defend against Chicago's attacks, United nearly imploded in upon themselves. Wicks knocked out a free kick for a corner, then got into the face of his defender Burch. Both he and Burch pushed each other, while Chicago quickly took their corner kick. Wicks then dropped the cross in, only to recover in time to eliminate the danger.
The Fire had one more opportunity from a corner kick but took it short and Wicks, after some initial trouble with the cross, eventually was able to get a hold of the ball. Shortly after, the game ended, as United held on to the 1-0 win, the team's second win away from home all season.
Steven Streff, Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
Inside Goal.Com
-
EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI
Goal.com put together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.