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United's Run in Champions' Cup Ends
Gonzalo Peralta and Fausto Pinto of Pachuca battle for the ball during the Champions' Cup semifinal before 17,329 at RFK.
(By Toni L. Sandys -- The Washington Post)
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United's attack turned ragged and lacked effective combination play. Pachuca crowded the middle and prevented Gallardo and Moreno from influencing the game. Opportunities, though, arose periodically. Burch entered for Santino Quaranta and set up Emilio with an excellent cross in the 64th minute, but goalkeeper Miguel Calero stopped the downward header.
Soehn added more firepower a moment later, inserting Niell for McTavish, but Pachuca absorbed pressure and went ahead on Alvarez's goal. Pachuca was pushing forward, the ball at Jaime Correa's feet, when Burch disrupted play. Unfortunately for United, the ball skidded to the unmarked Alvarez, who beat Wells from 10 yards.
Dyachenko scored in the 85th minute, blasting in Fred's cross from 10 yards, and Niell one-timed an 18-yarder in the 90th.
"Over and over again, it's very disappointing," Moreno said of United's semifinal issues. "We knew we had to go to Mexico and get a good result because they always come here and play well. Unfortunately, we couldn't do that. We still won but it's not good enough."
Soehn also took issue with Garber, who told Soccer America magazine: "For this league to win over the core audience, we've got to be able to be among the best clubs in North America. D.C. United talks about their goal is to win a spot in the World Club Championship. They want to be the best team in the region. They really struggled the other night" at Pachuca.
Said Soehn: "I want to thank our commissioner for motivating us for some slighted comments he had against us in the papers. I appreciate his TV analysis."
United Notes: The club (1-1 in MLS) will depart this afternoon for Utah, where it will resume league play Saturday night against Real Salt Lake (0-1-1).
