| Page 2 of 2 < |
United Captures U.S. Open Cup Title
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
"I just think shape-wise we didn't adjust to what they were doing," United Coach Tom Soehn said. "Our outside backs need to get involved and put themselves in spots to stop the counterattack. We basically defended four against two."
United started to increase its tempo as halftime neared, and had several opportunities to go into the break with an advantage but could not convert.
In the 37th minute, Moreno was denied on a quick right-footed shot to the near post on a United counter. He once again displayed his veteran savvy with a beautiful chip to spring Fred, who was subbed in for Joe Vide in the 40th minute, on a breakaway in the 45th minute, but the Brazilian winger's chip over charging Charleston goalkeeper Dusty Hudock landed on top of the net.
A final chance to take the lead came in extra time, when a curling cross from midfielder Ivan Guerrero found the head of an unmarked Quaranta in the box, but the header was powered well wide and the score remained tied at 1.
Despite the wasted chances to end the half, United didn't take long to cash in to start the second.
In the 50th minute, Clyde Simms played a long ball down the right side that was dummied by forward Rod Dyachenko, who had subbed in for Emilio, fooling two defenders, and leading Fred alone into the box. The creative winger had time and took two touches toward Hudock before calmly slotting home a shot for the game-winner.
United dictated the tempo for much of the remainder of the game, though the Battery threatened with a header in the 86th minute that was flicked over the top and challenged again a minute later.
With the win, United secured itself a spot in the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League, something players said took pressure off of the team for the remainder of the season, and also gave the team a reminder of what it's like to win.
"Getting a taste of running around with a trophy in front of our fans, who deserve it more than anybody, is a great feeling," Soehn said. "And you remember that stuff. There's a lot of things you forget in the game but situations and moments like that you remember. You want to taste that again so I hope they all got a great taste of it, now there's other things on the horizon that we still have to accomplish."
United Note: Vide left the game with a hamstring strain but said he is preparing as if he will play in Saturday's game at San Jose, which waived Vide on July 14.
