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D.C. United exits CONCACAF Champions League D.C. United exits CONCACAF Champions League
(35 minutes later)
D.C. United began the night in a tight spot. Four minutes into Tuesday’s match against Mexico’s Queretaro, United put itself in an impossible position. D.C. United began the night in a tight spot. Four minutes into Tuesday’s match against Mexico’s Queretaro, it put itself in a far tighter one.
By conceding an early goal, United lost all hope of advancing to the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals. And for all practical purposes, the final 86 minutes became a training exercise for the MLS season opener Sunday against the Los Angeles Galaxy. An early conceded goal cost United all realistic hope of advancing to the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals and, for all practical purposes, rendered the final 86 minutes a training exercise for Sunday’s MLS season opener against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Ahead by two goals after last week’s first leg at home, Queretaro struck first in front of 10,790 at RFK Stadium and happily accepted a 1-1 draw for a 3-1 aggregate victory.Ahead by two goals after last week’s first leg at home, Queretaro struck first in front of 10,790 at RFK Stadium and happily accepted a 1-1 draw for a 3-1 aggregate victory.
Julian Buescher, a first-round draft pick from Syracuse, scored for United on a magnificent shot from 30 yards in the 84th minute.Julian Buescher, a first-round draft pick from Syracuse, scored for United on a magnificent shot from 30 yards in the 84th minute.
United, though, would have had to score three more times to continue on in the tournament featuring clubs from North and Central America and the Caribbean. United, though, would have had to score three more times to continue on in the tournament, which features clubs from North and Central America and the Caribbean.
A week after an encouraging performance at altitude against an in-season foe, United was sloppy at the start. Angel Sepulveda scored without disruption in the fourth minute to increase Queretaro’s overall advantage to 3-0. A week after loss that was nonetheless an encouraging performance at altitude against an in-season foe, United was sloppy at the start on Tuesday, as Angel Sepulveda scored without disruption in the fourth minute to increase Queretaro’s overall advantage to 3-0.
Ben Olsen tinkered with the lineup, dropping Luciano Acosta, the Argentine newcomer who had performed well in the first leg. The team said before the match that he was not injured. Acosta did end up entering early in the second half, but by then, the series outcome had been settled. Ben Olsen tinkered with the lineup, dropping Luciano Acosta, the Argentine newcomer who had performed well in the first leg. The team said before the match that he was not injured. Acosta did end up entering early in the second half, but by then, the outcome of the series had been settled.
Chris Rolfe and Fabian Espindola partnered on the frontline, and Rob Vincent, a new signing from the third-division Pittsburgh Riverhounds, started on the left flank.Chris Rolfe and Fabian Espindola partnered on the frontline, and Rob Vincent, a new signing from the third-division Pittsburgh Riverhounds, started on the left flank.
In the opener, United kept its shape and managed the match for 70 minutes before allowing two goals. In the return leg, D.C. crumbled right away. In the opener, United kept its shape and managed the match for 70 minutes before allowing two goals. In the return leg, it crumbled right away.
Antonio “Sinha” Naelson dodged Taylor Kemp’s challenge on the right wing and swung a high cross into the penalty area. Both Steve Birnbaum and Sean Franklin drifted toward Edgar Benitez on the back side. Neither got there. Benitez headed the ball back to the unmarked Sepulveda for a nine-yard one-timer into the left corner.Antonio “Sinha” Naelson dodged Taylor Kemp’s challenge on the right wing and swung a high cross into the penalty area. Both Steve Birnbaum and Sean Franklin drifted toward Edgar Benitez on the back side. Neither got there. Benitez headed the ball back to the unmarked Sepulveda for a nine-yard one-timer into the left corner.
Because Queretaro had secured the away-goal tiebreaker, United would have to score four goals – an unfeasible task. Because Queretaro had secured the away-goal tiebreaker, United would have to score four goals — an unfeasible task.
United’s tournament was going to end, but not for lack of effort. United stuck to the plan. Marcelo Sarvas tested goalkeeper Tiago Volpi from distance in the 11th minute and D.C. created a bit of havoc in the penalty area with speculative service.United’s tournament was going to end, but not for lack of effort. United stuck to the plan. Marcelo Sarvas tested goalkeeper Tiago Volpi from distance in the 11th minute and D.C. created a bit of havoc in the penalty area with speculative service.
By and large, though, United performed like a team that had opened training camp 5½ weeks ago and had played one serious match since November. With chemistry and rhythm in the developmental stages, most everything United mustered came from effort and resolve.By and large, though, United performed like a team that had opened training camp 5½ weeks ago and had played one serious match since November. With chemistry and rhythm in the developmental stages, most everything United mustered came from effort and resolve.
Queretaro did not fall into a defensive bunker but did not attack with any urgency either.Queretaro did not fall into a defensive bunker but did not attack with any urgency either.
Espindola had two golden chances early in the second half, but Volpi disrupted his crafty run into the box and the Argentine poked a shot a whisker wide of the left post.Espindola had two golden chances early in the second half, but Volpi disrupted his crafty run into the box and the Argentine poked a shot a whisker wide of the left post.
In the 55th minute, Patrick Nyarko drew a penalty kick. But Rolfe’s bid lacked direction and polish, allowing Volpi to slide to his right and block the shot as if it were a routine play.In the 55th minute, Patrick Nyarko drew a penalty kick. But Rolfe’s bid lacked direction and polish, allowing Volpi to slide to his right and block the shot as if it were a routine play.
Still gaining fitness after missing parts of preseason with tendinitis, Rolfe, United’s leading scorer in 2015, left the match in the 59th minute. He came off at a similar point in the first leg, as well.Still gaining fitness after missing parts of preseason with tendinitis, Rolfe, United’s leading scorer in 2015, left the match in the 59th minute. He came off at a similar point in the first leg, as well.
Acosta entered and, over the last 30-plus minutes, buzzed with activity in attempting to work combinations with Espindola.Acosta entered and, over the last 30-plus minutes, buzzed with activity in attempting to work combinations with Espindola.
Olsen turned to the bench again in the 66th minute, resting Nick DeLeon and giving Markus Halsti his first action of the series. Later, Buescher came on for Sarvas and pumped a swerving shot into the upper right corner.Olsen turned to the bench again in the 66th minute, resting Nick DeLeon and giving Markus Halsti his first action of the series. Later, Buescher came on for Sarvas and pumped a swerving shot into the upper right corner.
United notes: Charlie Horton, a U.S. under-23 national team goalkeeper, has signed with the club. A formal announcement is expected this week. Horton, 21, left England’s Leeds United last fall. . . .United notes: Charlie Horton, a U.S. under-23 national team goalkeeper, has signed with the club. A formal announcement is expected this week. Horton, 21, left England’s Leeds United last fall. . . .
The Scottish Sun reported former D.C. midfielder Perry Kitchen will sign with Hearts, which is in third place in Scotland’s top-tier league. Kitchen’s contract with United expired Dec. 31 and he declined an offer that would have more than doubled his MLS base salary. The Scottish Sun reported former D.C. midfielder Perry Kitchen will sign with Hearts, which is in third place in Scotland’s top-tier league. Kitchen’s contract with United expired Dec. 31, and he declined an offer that would have more than doubled his MLS base salary.