Washington, D.C. (Sports Network) - D.C. United bounced back from a
disappointing outing on Sunday to cruise to a 4-2 victory over the Chicago
Fire at RFK Stadium on Wednesday.
United was held to a 1-1 home draw with the Philadelphia Union last time out,
a draw that saw three red cards, a missed penalty kick from Dwayne De Rosario
and an on-field scuffle between teammates Chris Korb and Brandon McDonald in
the waning moments.
But judging by Wednesday's performance, it is safe to say that the demons from
Sunday's draw have been exorcised as De Rosario notched a goal and an assist
and Korb connected with McDonald for what turned out to be the game-winner.
De Rosario opened the scoring in the 19th minute before Daniel Paladini and
Lionard Pajoy exchanged goals just before halftime.
McDonald scored quickly after the restart to put D.C. in the driver's seat,
while Gonzalo Segares kept Chicago in the match with a goal in the 75th
minute.
It proved to be nothing but a consolation goal as Long Tan wrapped up the
scoring in the dying minutes with his first goal of the season.
The result sees D.C. (12-8-4) tighten the gap in the Eastern Conference table,
improving to 40 points on the season to move to within five points of first
place. Chicago (12-8-5) sees its three-game winning run come to a halt.
The home side was in firm control of the match and eventually grabbed the lead
in the 19th minute when Chris Pontius' angled ball to the back post was not
dealt with by Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson. De Rosario was arriving to
capitalize on the gaffe, easily slotting the ball into the back of the net.
United looked to be heading into the halftime on the back of the Canadian's
strike, but Chicago pulled one back in the 44th minute when Paladini capped a
fine passage of play around the box by slipping a shot past Bill Hamid.
D.C. still went into halftime with a one-goal lead though, answering quickly
through its newest player. Andy Najar's deep cross moments later was met by
Pajoy, whose powerful header eluded Johnson and restored United's lead.
Ben Olsen's side didn't skip a beat after the restart, bagging a goal in the
51st minute to extend the lead.
Korb collected a corner-kick clearance and delivered an inch-perfect cross to
the back post where McDonald was waiting to send a looping header over Johnson
and into the back of the net.
Chicago refused to go away, cutting the deficit to one goal 15 minutes from
time when Pavel Pardo's set-piece delivery was headed past Hamid by Segares.
But that goal was all for naught as Tan capped United's night by slotting De
Rosario's pass just inside the far post. Johnson got a hand to the shot and
should have done better, but it was a goal that summed up a poor night at the
office for the Chicago 'keeper.
The Sports Network