Posted on March 31, 2012
WASHINGTON, D.C. — D.C. United rookie midfielder Nick DeLeon struck for his second goal– in only his fourth Major League Soccer game.
DeLeon, the son of former Trinidad & Tobago and North American Soccer League standout Leroy DeLeon, scored for what proved to be the game-winning goal for D.C. United in its 4-1 victory over FC Dallas at RFK Stadium on Friday night.
Canadian international midfielder Dwayne DeRosario set up two United goals.
They both helped to boost United (1-2-1, four points) to its first win of the season while Dallas fell to 1-2-1.
“We keep getting better as we play soccer and it is showing,” DeLeon said. “We came out after half and we had to get a win, and that’s what we did. We knew it was going to be a battle, and once that second goal came, the floodgates kind of just opened. Game by game, we’re getting better with each other and more comfortable with each other, getting to know each others habits, so we’re slowly progressing.”
DeLeon broke a 1-1 tie in the 60th minute. Former Dallas player Maicon Santos, who tallied the first goal, chipped the ball to the far post wher DeLeon chested the ball down and volleyed it past Kevin Hartman.
“It felt amazing, especially to do it here at RFK,” he said of the goal.
DeLeon turned playmaker in the 66th minute as he found an open Danny Cruz at the far post. Cruz slid in to guide the ball over Hartman for a 3-1 margin.
“They had a big impact on the offensive end but they also had a big impact on the defensive end,” D.C. coach Ben Olsen said of Cruz and DeLeon. “I certainly appreciated the way they worked on both sides of the ball. I would hate to play against him [Cruz]. He’s a really competitive guy and just doesn’t quit. Nick [DeLeon] has very good soccer instincts for a young kid and I thought both of them played very well.”
De Rosario set up D.C.’s first and final goals, both scored by Santos.
On his first goal in the 28th minute, De Rosario found the striker in space about 30 yards from goal. Santos took a couple of touches towards the top right corner of the 18-yard box and hammered a shot into the upper 90 for a 1-0 United advantage.
Santos put the finishing touches on the game in the 73rd minute. Santos started the sequence with a quick counter attack as he gave De Ro the ball down the right side. De Rosario found Santos, who headed the ball home.
“We know each other, so we understand,” Santos said. “He knows where I’m going to be, so we work together.”
Photo: Nick DeLeon struck again for D.C. United Photo courtesy of D.C. United
Categories: Canada, Caribbean, North America, Trinidad and Tobago
Tags: D.C. United, Danny Cruz, Dwayne De Rosario, FC Dallas, Major League Soccer, Nick DeLeon
Loading ...
