United cruises in home opener

D.C. United vented its frustration against Toronto FC, Major League Soccer’s worst team last season, in a 4-1 win in its home opener at RFK Stadium last night.

Coming off two losses in the last eight days, the win boosted confidence for United ahead of its Champions’ Cup semifinal game against visiting Pachuca on Wednesday. United must recover from a two-goal deficit to stay alive. The emphatic result also allowed United coach Tom Soehn to rest some of his key players late in the game for the mid-week match.

United (1-1) scored two goals in the first five minutes with efforts from reigning league MVP Luciano Emilio and Santino Quaranta.

“When you start like that, it’s hard for a team to overcome,” Soehn said.

Marcelo Gallardo, the club’s expensive Argentine star, also added a goal, along with substitute Jaime Moreno, making his return from a thigh injury. Former Maryland star Maurice Edu scored a late consolation goal for Toronto FC (0-2).

At the two-minute mark, midfielder Devon McTavish headed a pass to Emilio, who dashed into the 18-yard box, beat two defenders and slipped the ball past goalie Greg Sutton.

Before Toronto could recover, United had made it a two-goal lead in the fifth minute.

Emilio appeared to have a second goal when his 19-yard shot hit the crossbar and bounced down and off the goal line. McTavish sprung to get a shot off the rebound, but Sutton blocked the effort. However, Sutton couldn’t hold on to the ball. Quaranta then ran into the box and blasted the ricochet off Sutton for a 2-0 lead.

“It was a humbling experience because it’s been a while since I really enjoyed a game so much,” Quaranta said.

Quaranta was the only change in the lineup from last week’s season-opening loss at Kansas City, replacing Argentine forward Franco Niell. The Baltimore native made his first start for United since he returned to the club last month.

“Tino’s added a lot of life and energy, and his feet were good today,” Soehn said.

It got worse for Toronto when the team was reduced to 10 men in the 22nd minute. Kevin Harmse received a red card for a nasty tackle on United defender Gonzalo Peralta.

Toronto didn’t relent, however, and Tyrone Marshall hit the bar with a shot to keep United goalie Zach Wells alert.

Then Sutton pulled off a candidate for save of the season when he stopped Emilio’s header from close range in the 29th minute.

Gallardo scored his first MLS goal in the 52nd minute, collecting an excellent pass from Quaranta. Gallardo was then substituted for by Rod Dyachenko in order to keep him fresh for Wednesday’s game.

“I felt as comfortable as I have ever been on a soccer field,” Quaranta said.

Moreno, who replaced Marc Burch after halftime, added a late goal to increase his all-time MLS scoring record to 113 goals.

“We had a hunger to score goals,” Moreno said.

Edu gave Toronto a little respect heading a ball past Wells in the dying minutes.

Emilio was rested with 13 minutes left on the clock and was replaced by Niell.

Toronto midfielder Laurent Robert, who signed with the team this week, got the start and set up some free kicks but looked out of shape. The former French international is known for his three seasons at Premier League club Newcastle United from 2002 to 2005.