United Posts Shutout To Snap Home Slide

By Steven Goff

The Washington Post

August 03, 2008

When the final whistle sounded last night, marking the end of his club's 2-0 victory over the Kansas City Wizards, D.C. United goalkeeper Zach Wells raised both arms and proclaimed, 'Finally!'

His declaration could have represented relief about United ending a team-record, four-game losing streak at home or about the club exhibiting its most well-rounded performance of the season. But mostly, after four months of defensive misadventures and dozen of goals allowed, Wells's cry signaled United's first shutout in 17 MLS matches.

'It was a long time coming,' said Wells, whose eight saves included a soaring, one-handed gem on Davy Arnaud's blast 20 seconds into the second half.

The shutout could not have come at a better time for Wells, who is awaiting the arrival of another goalie in the coming weeks to compete for the starting position.

'It's not the new goalie's job, it's not Zach's job. It's whoever wins the job,' United Coach Tom Soehn said. If Wells 'keeps playing like that, he is going to keep it real competitive because today he made some game-savers.'

Wells received plenty of help. United's makeshift backline, which was missing the suspended Gonzalo Martinez and the injured Gonzalo Peralta, made few mistakes. A midfield that introduced newcomers Ivan Guerrero and Joe Vide worked smoothly and helped generate an abundance of scoring opportunities. And the frontline combination of Luciano Emilio and Jaime Moreno provided the goals in front of 18,731 at RFK Stadium.

Moreno set up Emilio in the 28th minute and then scored on a no-look header early in the second half as United (8-8-1) rebounded from three SuperLiga losses and a regular season setback during a miserable 12-day span at RFK.

United's victory also broke a four-way tie for fourth place in MLS's Eastern Conference. The Wizards (5-6-7) lost for the first time since June 14, snapping a 2-0-4 run.

'It took us until August, but better late than never,' central defender Devon McTavish said of the shutout. 'Everyone committed themselves to defending and it showed. It's a little bit of a confidence booster.'

Soehn's options were severely limited because of Martinez's suspension and injuries to Peralta, Marcelo Gallardo, Santino Quaranta and Francis Doe.

Guerrero, who was acquired from San Jose on Thursday and participated in one light workout with his new club, was quickly integrated into the lineup and started on the left flank. Vide, signed off waivers two weeks ago, and rookie defender Pat Carroll, who made his regular season debut 10 days ago, also performed admirably.

'Ivan has a great soccer intelligence,' Soehn said. 'When you make decisions on guys you bring in, you try to see them in your environment, and for him to step into our environment, it's the perfect situation for him.'

While the new players added a consistent element, it was an old combination that produced the first goal. Moreno centered the ball through the box to Emilio, who touched it against the grain to create a sliver of space and then lashed a left-footed shot from 13 yards into the lower right corner.

Emilio increased his team-best goals total to 11, Moreno his team-best assists mark to seven.

The Wizards' best chance to tie came in the 41st when Wells's awkward clearance at the top of the penalty area allowed Ryan Pore to gain possession. But Wells scrambled back to block Pore's unimaginative shot. Earlier, Wells had to backtrack on Jack Jewsbury's floater to prevent an embarrassing goal.

'I knew at that point,' Wells said, 'things were looking up.'

United had two opportunities to stretch the lead before halftime. Moreno and Emilio worked a neat give-and-go in which Moreno lifted the ball over goalie Kevin Hartman and off the left post, and Clyde Simms fired a 30-yarder narrowly wide of the left corner.

Moreno then added to the lead with an exquisite goal. Marc Burch served a free kick from near the sideline. With his back to the net, Moreno shielded off a defender and directed an 11-yard header just beyond the fully extended Hartman and into the far corner in the 60th minute for his seventh goal.

'I can't remember the last time I scored on a header,' said Moreno, MLS's career leader with 119 goals.

All that remained was pursuit of that elusive shutout. Carroll and Bryan Namoff disrupted treacherous sequences in the box and Wells touched away a dangerous long ball. In the closing minutes, Wells made a few routine stops and the Wizards missed their other opportunities.

'The work paid off,' Burch said. 'There were a few games where we gave up one when we shouldn't have given up any. Zach made some big saves and kept the zero for us.'

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