United Captures U.S. Open Cup Title
D.C. Defeats Charleston to Win Championship in Event for First Time Since 1996: United 2, Charleston 1

By Paul Tenorio
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 4, 2008

Standing in front of the Barra Brava section, passing the U.S. Open Cup from player to player and applauding the fans -- who waved flags and chanted -- D.C. United finally had something to celebrate.

After four years without a championship, and during a season in which it has struggled both internationally and domestically, United added to its trophy-filled past last night, winning its first U.S. Open Cup title in 12 years with a 2-1 victory over the Charleston Battery in front of 8,212 at RFK Stadium.

Behind goals from its two Brazilian playmakers at the start of both halves -- forward Luciano Emilio in the fourth minute and midfielder Fred in the 50th -- United claimed the U.S. Open Cup for the first time since its inaugural season in 1996 when it downed the Rochester Rhinos, 3-0. It was United's first championship since it won its fourth MLS title in 2004 with a 3-2 victory over Kansas City. United is now 10-2 in all Cup finals.

"It's another one that goes in the case," United forward Jaime Moreno said. "You keep adding [trophies] and that's what we want, that's what we work for. It's a tradition, it's a team that always tries to be in the big picture of big tournaments, of the MLS."

It was Moreno's cheeky back heel in the fourth minute that set up United's first goal.

The veteran forward's quick flick found Santino Quaranta on a run into the box from the right side, and Quaranta took a touch in the box before being taken down by a Charleston defender. The ball rolled slowly to Emilio, and from just on top of the 18-yard box the Brazilian placed a shot neatly into the upper right corner to give United a 1-0 lead.

The goal may have come at a cost, however, as Emilio removed himself from the game immediately after the shot. United said Emilio aggravated his groin strain, and the forward ruled himself out for Saturday's game at San Jose.

"Today, I contacted the ball and [the groin] went back to zero," Emilio said. "It's very tight and sore, and I need to rest."

The one-goal lead Emilio provided did not last long.

Just six minutes later, the Battery drew even when a long diagonal ball from the defense found right midfielder Chris Williams on the wing, skipping past United defender Marc Burch, who said he expected the ball to check up. Williams collected the ball as Burch recovered, and then dropped a soft pass back to forward Ian Fuller, who smacked an uncontested shot to the near post from inside the box.

Charleston continued to show it was not intimidated by United's history, looking dangerous in the attack, at times stringing together several passes in its attacking third.

That attack nearly gave the Battery the lead in the 20th minute, when a quick counterattack up the left sideline freed Lazo Alavanja on a run through the United defense. But Alavanja's shot crashed off the far post and out.

"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.