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Moreno finds United's reserve

Two assists from veteran key in victory

By Harlan Goode (Contact) | Wednesday, July 9, 2008

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All D.C. United needed Tuesday night was a little more Jaime Moreno.

The United forward served up two big assists after coming on as a second-half substitute to help his club rally to a 2-1 extra-time victory over the Chicago Fire at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Moreno set up Francis Doe late in the second half and helped Ryan Namoff out early in the first extra time, propelling United into the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup and extending United's unbeaten steak to eight games.

"The game changed dramatically when he came in," United coach Tom Soehn said of Moreno, who was held out of the starting lineup because of abdominal problems.

Unlike last week's victory over the Rochester Rhinos - in which Soehn trotted out a lineup of mostly bench players - the fans got a chance to see some star power, none of whom shined brighter than Moreno. The fans also were treated to some fireworks as Chicago All-Star midfielder Cuauhtemoc Blanco and United defender Marc Burch earned red cards in the second period of extra time after a prolonged spat.

Chicago's attack was relentless early and caught United rookie midfielder Pat Carroll guessing late in the first half. By the time Carroll reacted to Fire defender Chris Woolard's feint, the ball was in the air and headed toward the back of the net. United escaped danger shortly thereafter when midfielder Chris Rolfe's dribbler wobbled past the net.

Carroll's slow reflexes landed him on the bench in the second half as Soehn replaced the 22-year-old with Francis Doe. Moreno entered the game soon thereafter, drawing loud cheers from the United faithful.

Doe was yellow-carded after he ran into Chicago goalkeeper Jon Busch and caused him to topple to the turf. Doe made good, however, as he knotted the score at one in the 77th minute with his first goal for the club. Moreno scooted through the fray and presented the ball to a charging Doe, who redirected it with a nudge off his left foot.

"To step up and play the way [Doe] did tonight, I was impressed with his game," Moreno said. "I just tried to just give a little life to the team."

The 34-year-old Moreno did his best to end things on time, rocketing a shot that just glanced off the right crossbar late in regulation. Moreno needed only a moment to settle the score in extra time, feeding Namoff for the deciding goal in the 99th minute.

"Jaime's the best ever, man. He's awesome," Burch said. "When he comes in, he changes the game completely."

Though the win has no bearing on United's position in the MLS standings, it should energize the team nonetheless. Chicago dropped United in the 2006 Open Cup, knocked them from the playoffs in 2007 and took a 2-0 decision earlier this season at RFK Stadium. With the victory, United will face New England in the Open Cup semifinals Aug. 12 at RFK. It is the first time United has advanced to the Cup's penultimate round since 2006.

D.C. United was without injured midfielders Ben Stratford and Ben Olsen, who had ankle and knee surgeries, respectively. Soehn also sat Santino Quaranta and Quavas Kirk, who are both sidelined with hamstring injuries. ... Comcast SportsNet has dropped United's match against Chicago on Aug. 16 and the Aug. 23 game against Colorado from its coverage but has agreed to broadcast the CD Guadalajara game Saturday and United's makeup match with Houston on July 22.