Emilio Levels United at the Death
In a game that could only be described as a battle, D.C. United and CD Guadalajara fought to a 1-1 draw last night at RFK, thanks to a Luciano Emilio goal in the 91st minute. In front of a raucus 26,528 (last year's largest crowd was 24,150), the majority of which were Chivas supporters, the two teams clawed, pushed, and hacked their way through the inclement conditions (rain, 44 degrees).
The game featured various momentum swings in the first half, though neither side was able to create a clear-cut chance on net. Both sides did not relent in their attacks, and the defenses met them head on, refusing to give an inch.
Finally, in minute 63, Chivas drew first blood. Just a few minutes earlier, we noted that United seemed to lose a step. With the Mexican league in full-swing, Chivas displayed fine mid-season form, while United's pre-season fitness levels began to surface. Chivas used this advantage to create space between themselves and the United defense when Sergio Santana raced down the left side and sent a soaring cross into the middle that hung in the air and then met star striker Omar Bravo. Bravo blasted a header on target, and the ball found the back of the net when a deflection off of Bryan Namoff sent Troy Perkins sprawling in the wrong direction.
At this point, Chivas began to take control of the game, neutralizing United's attacks with ease with physical tackling and organized marking. In particular, they did a phenomenal job with Emilio, who found himself double- or triple-teamed at every touch. Second half subs Jamil Walker and Stephen deRoux had little impact for United and were unable to take advantage of their speed. Meanwhile, the Chivas offense had begun to really click. They strung together passes for possession to the crowd's chanting of "olé". They showed beautiful anticipation and understanding with one touch passes and give-and-goes.
Photos by Kyle Gustafson. More photos after the jump and at the match photo gallery.
Though Chivas dominated possession in the second half, United's defense held their ground, setting the stage for the miracle finish. The physicality of the game played right into the hands of Ben Olsen. Never afraid to mix things up, Olsen fought for several Chivas defenders for the ball near the endline. His efforts were rewarded when a foul earned United a free kick at the edge of the penalty box, 12 yards from the mouth of the goal.
Well into injury time, it was clear that this was United's last chance to score. Christian Gomez and Emilio made sure not to waste it. Gomez fired an outswinging bolt across the 6 yard box, inches over the heads of the Chivas defenders. Thanks in part to an Olsen screen, Emilio was left unmarked and finished the cross with a header from point-blank range.
Because of Chivas' otherwise dominant play in the second half, United were fortunate to come away with the draw (though they did have a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks). They now face the challenge of getting a win in Mexico, something no MLS team has ever accomplished. Though Chivas will be unable to count on the services Bravo, who will serve a 1-game suspension due to yellow-card accumulation, United can still expect an uphill battle. But with two and a half more weeks of training, the addition of Fred, and the leadership of the fiesty Olsen, they'll have a fighting chance.