There was no thunderstorm, no power outage and more importantly, no defeat. For the first time since June, playing at RFK Stadium was a good thing for D.C. United.
After losing a team-record four straight games at RFK, United won 2-0 over the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday.
“That was probably one I my more satisfying games,” United coach Tom Soehn said. “I don’t think we created as many chances, but the dedication to get behind the ball and competing was ten-fold better, and that’s what you need to do to get shutouts.”
Goals by Luciano Emilio and Jaime Moreno sealed the win, while United’s defense earned the club its first shutout of the season.
“I thought it was a good organized defensive performance from everyone,” said goalie Zach Wells, who had eight saves.
The game went smoothly for the home team, which looked confident and fresh after a nine-day break.
In the 28th minute, Emilio scored the game’s first goal and his 11th goal of the season. Ivan Guerrero, playing in his first game for United since his trade from the San Jose Earthquakes on Thursday, had the assist.
The flank player set up Moreno, who drove a low pass across the top of the 18-yard box to Emilio, who one-touched the ball and sent a left-footed shot past Wizards goalie Kevin Hartman. It was Moreno’s seventh assist of the year. He had six assists all last season.
Kansas City nearly tied the game in the 40th minute when Wells ran too far off his line and lost the ball, but he made up for it with a save on Ryan Pore’s shot.
In the 60th minute, Moreno made it 2-0, glancing a back-header passed Hartman from Marc Burch’s free kick on the right flank. It was the 34-year-old Bolivian’s seventh goal of the year - equaling his 2007 haul.
“I can’t remember the last time I scored with a header, but we are just pleased with the way we played,” Moreno said. “Having a lot of guys injured, it shows finally we know how we want to play, and I think everybody knows how it is important to get the zero in the back.”
United didn’t use a playmaker but played with two holding midfielders in Clyde Simms and Joe Vide (making his team debut), supported by Fred and Guerrero on opposite flanks.
“We didn’t play this formation before, but it was good,” Emilio said.
United (8-8-1, 25 points) next plays at the New York Red Bulls on Aug. 10, after a rare 10-game homestand in all competitions since June 14.
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