Late Lopez Goal Salvages A Point For KC Against D.C.

With D.C. United's playoffs hopes in the balance, a late penalty from Argentine Claudio Lopez ended United's hopes of sneaking their way in. After United fought back from a first half deficit with a Jamie Moreno penalty and a Julius James header, they could not hold on in the end.

Kei Kamara put Kansas City up in the 30th minute, as he headed home a Graham Zusi free kick. But United fought their way back in the second half, as Fred won the penalty that Moreno converted, and an injured Julius James gave United the lead in the 82nd minute.

First Half

The game between the Eastern Conference foes got off to a slow start, as neither team was able to establish a rhythm in the opening stanza of the match. But with United needing a win, it was inevitable that both sides would get their chances.

D.C. had the first decent chance of the match in the 21st minute, as Clyde Simms played Christian Gomez into the box. Gomez then cut a cross back for Luciano Emilio, but the Brazilian striker put his header wide.

Moments later, Gomez somehow worked his way into the box, behind the defense, leaving just City 'keeper Kevin Hartman to beat. But the Argentine got his left footed attempt all wrong, failing to test Hartman.

Julius James then hit the post in the 27th minute, as he rose to meet Gomez's corner kick.

Kamara then handed the advantage to KC with a diving header in the 30th minute. Zusi took a free kick from 35 yards out, and Kamara beat out Rodney Wallace to win the header, which got past Steve Cronin at the far post.

Kamara had a chance to add a second, but his header bounced over the bar from just three yards out. James nearly found Wallace with a cross in the 43rd minute, but the pass was just out of reach for the rookie.

Second Half

United came out firing in the second half, needing at least two goals to earn a victory. But Chris Pontius put a header wide, and substitute Ben Olsen's shot from a block was miraculously saved by a recovering Hartman.

Fred then won a penalty for United in the 65th minute, as Matt Marquess was adjudged to have fouled the Brazilian in the box. Veteran striker Jaime Moreno took the honors, and while Hartman got his hand to penalty, he was unable to keep it out, as United leveled the score at 1-1.

With D.C. pushing forward looking for a second goal, City had their chances on the counter attack, but were unable to make the most of those opportunities. Lopez cut a pass back in the box for Kamara in the 77th minute, but his shot from eight yards out was over the bar.

Lopez then had a chance on a bouncing ball from outside the box, but his stunning left footed volley was saved by Cronin, and KC could not convert the resulting corner.

Just two minutes later, United had their goal that gave them the lead. Marc Burch took a free kick just outside the box, which was headed back towards Hartman. Hartman only punched the ball out, and James was right there to head the ball back in to give United the 2-1 lead in the 82nd minute.

With that result, D.C. seemed poised to be in line for a playoff spot, until disaster struck in the first minute of stoppage time. Lopez forced a fine save from Cronin on a free kick.

From the resulting corner, the ball bounced around the box for a couple of seconds, before Josh Wolff poked it towards the goal. With the ball destined for the back of the net, Fred used his arm to prevent a goal, resulting in a red card and a penalty. Lopez made no mistakes on the penalty, powering a shot past Cronin for the equalizer.

There was one final chance in the game, but Wallace hit the post on a second attempt in the third minute of stoppage time, and United failed to score from the resulting rebound.

Steven Streff, Goal.com

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