Pre-season match #3: DCU 2 - Islanders 1
02/21/2009 11:06 PM by Boris Flores
Christian Gomez and Clyde Simms scored in the second half to lead D.C. United to a 2-1 win tonight over the host Puerto Rico Islanders at Estadio Juan Ramon Loubriel in the city of Bayamon. Gomez struck on a lovely freekick in the 58th minute and Simms hit a 35-yard blast in the 66th minute. The Islanders only goal came on a penalty kick in the 90th minute converted by Cristian Arrieta and just before the final whistle.
The USL-1 side started the game strong and controlled the majority of play in the first 20 minutes. The Islanders threatened early in the 5th minute with a succession of shots in the box but trialist Anthony Peters deflected the initial bid from short distance and a reflex save from Nic Platter on the ensuing rebound kept the game scoreless. Former United forward Nicholas Addlery tested Platter again in the 21st minute but the keeper was up to the challenge, making a diving save on a short angled shot from the left side of the box.
Francis Doe had United’s best chance in the first stanza but his half volley attempt in the box was blocked by an Islanders defender, giving United it’s first corner kick of the game in the 37th minute.
Coach Tom Soehn made six substitutions at the half and the Black-and-Red took full control of the match after Gomez’s strike in the 58th minute after Santino Quaranta was taken down right outside of the penalty box. The Argentine playmaker coolly stepped up to take the free kick and hit a beautiful curling shot over the wall to the near post past a diving keeper Bill Gaudette.
Eight minutes later, Simms corralled a loose ball in the middle of the park and unleashed a 35-yard low blast for a 2-0 United advantage. With the comfortable advantage, United managed the possession of the ball while the Islanders look to counter on the attack. The Islanders only clear scoring opportunity in the second half came in the 83rd minute when Sandi Gbandi beat Platter on a header inside the box that just went wide off of the right post. Luciano Emilio missed a clear opportunity to increment the lead for the visiting side in the 86th minute on a good set up from the left side from Ange N’Silu but the Brazilian striker mis-connected on a tap in from short distance. As the match expired, the referee ruled that an Islanders player was taken down in the box and Arrieta converted the spot kick for the final 2-1 result.
Comments
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02/22/2009 10:00 AM by love 4 the game
will today's match be covered as well?
02/22/2009 10:41 AM by James
todays match??
02/22/2009 11:15 AM by love 4 the game
oh nevermind, i had the wrong info
02/22/2009 7:44 PM by stewartdc8
I know Simms has a nice low shot on him, but 35 yards out?? That's ridiculous!
02/22/2009 9:18 PM by Juice
replays? plz?
02/22/2009 10:25 PM by kris
Are their any pics or highlights to watch?
02/23/2009 9:40 AM by Kyle Sheldon
No video or photos - sorry!