THE FIRST half started with both teams measuring their forces and struggling for possession of the game. DC United was just simply playing with the ball while Columbus Crew was trying to score.

 

Columbus Crew received a setback when Carroll received a booking (yellow card) for anti-professional behaviour (reckless foul) on the field at 29 minutes into the game. Regardless, Alejandro Moreno with the assistance of Frankie Hejduk and Guillermo Barros Schellotto were able to score the first goal of the game for the Columbus Crew at 32 minutes.

 

Regardless, DC United wanted to prove to the spectators of the Robert F Kennedy (RFK) stadium that they were made of steel, and scored an equaliser at 42 minutes. Brian Namoff did the equaliser with the assistance of Luciano Emilio and Jaime Moreno. Unfortunately, DC United was unable to focus on the game and their house of steel melted with an own goal by Gonzalo Perralta giving the Columbus Crew an advantage in the field. The first half finished with DC United 1-2 Columbus Crew.

 

The second half was pathetic with the Columbus Crew trying to prolong the clock and avoid another equaliser and DC United in shock over its own goal. Many football [soccer] players make the mistake of an own goal because they are not paying attention to the game and probably because of being unable to see the goalkeeper. Regardless, DC United and Columbus Crew were just making moves with the ball. O’Rourke and Hessner of the Columbus Crew received yellow cards for their unprofessional behaviour. O’Rourke was booked for pushing and holding at 57 minutes while Hessner received his, for delaying a restart.

 

The Columbus Crew was lucky that DC United was unable to take advantage of some of the mistakes such as poor playing practices of moving the ball aimlessly. In spite, Alejandro Moreno saved the game for the Columbus Crew with his goal. The Columbus Crew was also saved and won the game with the own goal of Gonzalo Perralta.

 

DC United was pathetic in this game. In addition to the own goal by Gonzalo Perralta, the team itself was not performing to the standards of a football [soccer] team. DC United did not have the discipline and tenacity to continue playing after the shock of the own goal. DC United has to see DVDs of this game and check, where improvements can be made.

 

Principal player: Alejandro Moreno

DC United 1-2 Columbus Crew

Columbus Crew: 5/10