Posted on August 23, 2012
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dwyane De Rosario scored one goal and set up another to lift D.C. United to a 4-2 victory in Major League Soccer action at RFK Stadium on Wednesday night.
United (12-8-4, 40 points) moved within a point of fifth-place chicago (12-8-5, 41) in the Eastern Conference.
“We knew how important this match was, but what’s done is done, and now we must lift our spirits, learn from our mistakes, and continue to improve,” Fire midfielder Marco Pappa said.
United bounced back from its controversial 1-1 home draw with the Philadelphia Union, in which De Ro missed a penalty kick that would have given D.C. a win.
“It shows a lot of character. I think a lot of guys experienced a lot last year and we don’t want to experience the same thing and we’re just trying to push forward and learn from our mistakes each game,” De Rosario said. “We’re still disappointed that we let in a set piece goal, so that’s something that we need to clean up. Every game you can learn something from and we really want to limit giving away goals on set pieces.”
De Rosario, a Canadian international midfielder scored his 99th MLS goal and sixth of the season, poking a Chris Pontius cross past goalkeeper Sean Johnson in the 19th minute. It was De Rosario’s first goal in more than two months.
“Most importantly, it feels better when you come away with a win and that’s the objective – no matter how it comes, we’re looking to get three points,” De Rosario said.” But, I think the way we performed tonight really showed what we’re capable of and we’ve got to come with that same intensity, that same performance every game. If we do step on the field with that passion, that emotion, that drive, we’ll be alright.”
The Fire equalized as Guatemalan international midfielder Pappa, who was near the top of the penalty area, fed the ball to Daniel Paladini, who beat keeper Bill Hamid in the 44th minute.
However, the hosts struck back a minute into first-half stoppage time. Honduran international midfielder Andy Najar, who was playing at right back, controlled the ball down the right flank and sent a cross to newly acquired forward Lionard Pajoy, who headed it home for his first United goal and a 2-1 advantage.
After D.C. United increased its lead to 3-1 on a Brandon McDonald goal in the 51st minute, the Fire pulled within a goal in the 75th minute. Former Mexican international midfielder Pavel Pardo sent a 35-yard free kick into the area as Costa Rican defender header the ball inside of the right post.
But De Rosario, who had the first word of the match, just about had the final word in the 89th minute. He slipped a ball to second-half substitute Long Tan, who gave his side some breathing room.
Segares felt the Fire made too many errors.
“It was mostly our lack of order. Once we went down in the scoreboard, we started pressuring up, which spread our lines thin and gave a lot of space for players like De Rosario to hurt us,” he said. “When we play away games we are generally a very organized team, with two defensive lines that close down space well, but that was clearly not the case today. That was what made the difference in the game.”
Photo: Dwayne De Rosario moved within a goal of the MLS century club. Keith Furman/First Row Photos
Categories: Canada, Central America, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, North America, U.S.A.
Tags: Brandon McDonald, Chicago Fire, D.C. United, Dwayne De Rosario, Gonzalo Segares, Long Tan, Major League Soccer, Marco Pappa, Pavel Pardo
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