United 3, Earthquakes 1
By Steven Goff
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, June 23, 2008
D.C. United had plenty to savor from its 3-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes yesterday at RFK Stadium, a result that extended its unbeaten streak to five and pulled the club into a three-way tie for fourth place in MLS's Eastern Conference.
Light-scoring Clyde Simms struck from distance for the second consecutive match and defender Gonzalo Martínez mixed his first goal with sublime work on the left flank. Devon McTavish prevented a seemingly sure equalizer in the second half and reigning MVP Luciano Emilio scored in a fifth straight game.
But from Coach Tom Soehn's perspective, United (6-7-1) was fortunate to escape with a third victory in a row. He agonized over a bland first half and then watched goalkeeper Zach Wells make another critical blunder.
"As a whole, we didn't show up," he said. "We came in with the mentality that we won the game, and that's discouraging for me. . . . There are not too many days you can come out like we did today and come out with a result."
In contrast to its stimulating performances the past month, United was slow and lacking passion during a scoreless first half. And just when the club seemed to snap out of its funk on Simms's goal, Wells butchered a cross that allowed San Jose to end a 261-minute scoreless streak with just its 10th goal of the year.
"Fortunately it happened early enough in the second half where we could come back and get a couple more goals," said Wells, who made a quality save on Ivan Guerrero in the first half and had an otherwise stable afternoon before 17,922 observers.
Martínez restored the lead in the 55th minute and Emilio converted in the closing minutes to rescue both Wells and their sluggish teammates.
Beyond the goal, Martínez contributed with forceful raids on the left flank and timely tackles that disrupted San Jose's infrequent forays. The Colombian started the season as a central defender and has played on both corners, but has found comfort on the left.
"When I am out on the left side, I am thinking more about attacking," he said through an interpreter. "When I am central, I have to be more on my mark."
On his go-ahead goal, Martínez cut back to create space in the penalty area between he and Ronnie O'Brien and then rifled a 12-yard shot to the far post. He celebrated with a suave dance step at the corner flag.
"He injects some life when he comes forward," Soehn said. "He has got pace, and that's something that is hard to stop, whether it is in the defensive end or moving forward. . . . It's nice to see him take the opportunity and look to score a goal because he can do it."
Then it was McTavish's turn. In the 72nd minute, after reserve Shea Salinas steered around Wells and took aim, McTavish scrambled to cover the open net and swept the shot out of danger as it neared the target.
"I actually thought it went through my legs at first," McTavish said, "and then I popped up and saw it was outside the net."
The Earthquakes' hopes dimmed in the 83rd minute when James Riley was red-carded for a two-footed challenge on McTavish. Their chances were then extinguished in the 88th when Emilio's left-footed bid caromed off defender Kelly Gray and into the right corner for his eighth goal of the year.
It was the second fortuitous deflection for United, whose goal in the 50th minute was the result of Simms's 30-yarder nicking a San Jose player at the top of the box and skipping past goalkeeper Joe Cannon. "Cannon probably would have gotten to it pretty easily," said Simms, who has three goals in 89 regular season appearances.
A minute later, however, Wells's clumsy attempt to grab Riley's cross allowed John Cunliffe to score easily.
"It was kind of in between a dive and a shuffle to get it," said Wells, still searching for his first shutout in league play. "I felt the ball lift off my fingers and so I was on my way down with the dive and the ball wound up staying up. I think I juggled it up and got about eight touches on it" before it fell to Cunliffe for his second goal of the season.
Wells called it "the easiest thing I had to do all game and flubbed it."
Soehn deflected questions about the goalkeeping situation, but with back-up José Carvallo failing to impress the coaching staff, Wells is almost certain to continue starting. Club officials have inquired about -- and been presented with -- potential candidates from Europe, but have yet to make a move.
Wells's blemishes have been shrouded by 14 goals during the unbeaten streak, including Martínez's game-winner.
"It was a great goal, good for him and his confidence," Emilio said of Martínez. "The goal is a trophy for him."
United Notes: D.C. was whistled for just six fouls, the fewest by the club in eight years and one off the team record set in 1996 and tied a year later. . . . Midfielder-defender Domenic Mediate, who entered in the 60th minute for Fred, will be monitored for a possible concussion after complaining of dizziness.
View all comments that have been posted about this article.