D.C. United 6 - 4 Real Salt Lake

[news]

[news]

6 days earlier, D.C. United had allowed the opposition to score 2 early goals, then stormed back to win the game. 2-0 down after 21 minutes. Not only did they do it again, but this time they produced a veritable goal-fest.

Unlike last week, United didn't concede in the first minute.. .instead they held out until 1 minute and 6 seconds before Salt Lake's Joao Plata notched the first goal from the edge of the D.



Leading to early celebrations from the visitors



As against Philadelphia, United were rocked, and Real Salt Lake took advantage, sending wave after wave of attacks down the flanks



The defense was stretched, and overworked, but put their bodies in the way



...although some shots made their way through for United keeper Andrew Dykstra to save



In the 21st minute Salt Lake made their superiority count as a long range drive from Kyle Beckerman found the back of the net



At this point, United looked lost. They had no answer for Salt Lake's dominance



However, slowly, but surely, United started winning challenges in their own half



...and in the opposition's half.



It was then that United started to get a few balls into the box


... and were able to make a few runs through the middle.


While Real Salt Lake still had some chances



...the next blood was United's, as Chris Rolfe stripped the ball from Salt Lake defender Beltran, and curled the ball into the net to make it 2-1 just before the half.



There was still time for one last attack in the half for Real Salt Lake, but it came to nothing



In the 53rd minute, D.C. United captain Bobby Bosworth was hauled down in the Salt Lake penalty area



...and a penalty was called. Salt Lake's Beckerman was lucky to escape a yellow card after kicking the ball away from the penalty spot while the officials weren't looking. But it didn't put Chris Rolfe off, who coolly stepped up and slotted the ball home, past the despairing hands of Jeff Attinella



Now that the game was once again level, United started to really step up their play, and five minutes later a thundercracker of a shot from Taylor Kemp gave United the lead



But the delight was short lived, as within several minutes, Salt Lake had tied the game at 3 apiece with a header from Aaron Maund. Right from the start the ball made its way to former Salt Lake player Alvaro Saborio, who shot on goal.



The shot was parried by Attinella, but Fabian Espindola slid in, and when a Salt Lake defender attempted to clear the ball off the line, it hit Espindola's left foot and went straight into the goal, to restore United's lead



United continued to attack, looking to get a 2 goal cushion



... but once again it was Salt Lake that responded, with yet another equalizing goal through Abdoulie Mansally



Then 11 minutes from time, Fabian Espindola delivered a free kick into the box, that Perry Kitchen rose to meet, and head into the back of the net, giving United a lead that they'd not relinquish again



United continued attacking



...and were rewarded with a 6th goal when Nick DeLeon drove the ball home from 30 yards out



...and as the clock ran out, both D.C. United fans and players were clearly thrilled at the result

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.












More...