United Posts Shutout To Snap Home Slide
Emilio, Moreno Provide the Scoring: United 2, Wizards 0
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Sunday, August 3, 2008
When the final whistle sounded last night, marking the end of his club's 2-0 victory over the Kansas City Wizards, D.C. United goalkeeper Zach Wells raised both arms and proclaimed, "Finally!"
His declaration could have represented relief about United ending a team-record, four-game losing streak at home or about the club exhibiting its most well-rounded performance of the season. But mostly, after four months of defensive misadventures and dozen of goals allowed, Wells's cry signaled United's first shutout in 17 MLS matches.
"It was a long time coming," said Wells, whose eight saves included a soaring, one-handed gem on Davy Arnaud's blast 20 seconds into the second half.
The shutout could not have come at a better time for Wells, who is awaiting the arrival of another goalie in the coming weeks to compete for the starting position.
"It's not the new goalie's job, it's not Zach's job. It's whoever wins the job," United Coach Tom Soehn said. If Wells "keeps playing like that, he is going to keep it real competitive because today he made some game-savers."
Wells received plenty of help. United's makeshift backline, which was missing the suspended Gonzalo MartÃnez and the injured Gonzalo Peralta, made few mistakes. A midfield that introduced newcomers Ivan Guerrero and Joe Vide worked smoothly and helped generate an abundance of scoring opportunities. And the frontline combination of Luciano Emilio and Jaime Moreno provided the goals in front of 18,731 at RFK Stadium.
Moreno set up Emilio in the 28th minute and then scored on a no-look header early in the second half as United (8-8-1) rebounded from three SuperLiga losses and a regular season setback during a miserable 12-day span at RFK.
United's victory also broke a four-way tie for fourth place in MLS's Eastern Conference. The Wizards (5-6-7) lost for the first time since June 14, snapping a 2-0-4 run.
"It took us until August, but better late than never," central defender Devon McTavish said of the shutout. "Everyone committed themselves to defending and it showed. It's a little bit of a confidence booster."
Soehn's options were severely limited because of MartÃnez's suspension and injuries to Peralta, Marcelo Gallardo, Santino Quaranta and Francis Doe.
Guerrero, who was acquired from San Jose on Thursday and participated in one light workout with his new club, was quickly integrated into the lineup and started on the left flank. Vide, signed off waivers two weeks ago, and rookie defender Pat Carroll, who made his regular season debut 10 days ago, also performed admirably.
"Ivan has a great soccer intelligence," Soehn said. "When you make decisions on guys you bring in, you try to see them in your environment, and for him to step into our environment, it's the perfect situation for him."
