D.C. United clinches playoff spot with Saborio late winner
By Sean Maslin
When D.C. United traded for Alvaro Saborio in July it was expected that he would provide the scoring touch that would help them break through the pack in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference. The team just never expected that they would have to go through the Potomac River as well. On Friday on a rain-soaked pitch at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium Saborio provided some last minute inspiration to push D.C. United past New York City Football Club and into the MLS Cup playoffs.
NYCFC took the lead in just the first minute thanks to a strike by midfielder Frank Lampard. United would equalize in the 73rd minute off of a strike by forward Fabian Espindola United midfielder Chris Pontius would assist on Saborio’s setter, hitting a high curving free kick that the Costa Rican international knocked past NYCFC goalkeeper Josh Saunders.
Despite the result late it almost looked like United would leave RFK Stadium on Friday night with nothing but wet clothes. In just the first minute, NYCFC would strike first thanks to Lampards volley past past D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid. The goal was precipitated by an excellent cross from midfielder Andrew Jacobson who found forward David Villa in space in United’s defensive half. Villa’s shot was saved by Hamid but Lampard was there to bury his third goal of the season.
Being a goal down and facing their sixth consecutive win-less performance one would have expected United to come back swinging in the first-half. But NYCFC’s defense, led by center-back Jason Hernandez used a high trap on Espindola to keep D.C. at bay. NYCFC midfielder Ned Grabavoy was also integral in creating long, sustained possessions starting from the defensive half and placing probing passes in Villa. United’s best attempt in the first half came in the 45th when Espindola let loose on a shot just on the edge of the penalty box. Despite some promise Saunders made the save.
Espindola’s late first-half shot was a bit of an omen as to how the second half would run. After a tepid offensive performance in the first half United coach Ben Olsen opted for a more aggresive strategy aimed at disrupting the back four of NYCFC. Olsen used Espindola and midfielder Nick De Leon almost as wingers going at young right-back R.J. Allen. De Leon got away from Allen in the 64th and made an excellent header on target. Although his attempt was promising it would go wide left.
With D.C. hitting NYCFC’s right side, NYCFC coach Jason Kreis was forced to play with a more conservative approach on the right side. That opened up space and the left for midfielder Chris Pontius to exploit. In the 73rd minute Pontius took a low shot that Saunders appeared to save comfortably. However, Saudners bobbled the save and gave Espindola the chance to hammer home his chance. The goal was Espindola’s fourth of the season.
United would strike again in injury time when Espindola’s free kick would find a surging Saborio for the 2-1 advantage. Saborio found a tiny space in the NYCFC defense and exploited delivering his fourth goal of the season.
With the victory D.C. United (14-12-6, 48 points) moves into second place in the MLS Eastern Conference. They will next play on October the 18th when they host the Chicago Fire. More importantly it also seals up a playoff spot for Olsen’s side.
NYCFC (10-15-7, 37 points) meanwhile saw their playoff hopes dashed. Despite a strong end of season run which saw the team win their last five matches coming into Friday’s tilt NYCFC is out of playoff contention and will have to wait until 2016 to play in soccer’s second season.
Next: Coca-Cola, Anheuser Busch, Visa, McDonalds Urge Sepp Blatter to resign