D.C. United v. Kansas City Wizards (May 5th 2010)
FT: 2-1
After their worst start in franchise history, D.C. United put three points on the table with a 2-1 win over the Kansas City Wizards on Cinco de Mayo. Australian Danny Allsopp scored two goals for United, while the Wizards’ lone goal came from halftime substitute Kei Kamara in the 90th minute.
Before kick-off, the big story was that United decided to give the goalie gloves to Bill Hamid, a nineteen-year-old and product of
United’s own youth academy. They needed to do something to mix things up, and the coaching staff must have seen something in the youngster. He was dynamic and fearless in goal. Without hesitation he came off his line to take on all challengers and to clear the ball. In the 26th minute he stopped a missile of a shot from mid-fielder Roger Espinoza—a real test. Now the question is whether United will stick with Hamid or give the gloves back to Troy Perkins.
In the 11th minute Allsopp scored off a deflection. His kick ricocheted off the defender, but luckily it swerved past the goaltender. His second goal, in the 33rd minute, was all hustle. A lazy back-pass between two Kansas City defenders led to the Australian’s second goal. A little bit of luck and a lot of hustle by Allsopp put United on the path to the team’s first win.
The second half brought with it six yellow cards. Both halves produced a total of twenty-four fouls which seemed to result from a lack of self-discipline. Fouls happen and soccer is a physical game. But these slowed the game and bored the spectator.
The second half’s flash-in-the-pan moment came in the form of Kamara’s 90th minute goal. It was too little and too late to change the outcome of the match but put the spotlight on Kamara, who should continue to influence play and score goals for the Wizards.
This upcoming weekend D.C. United travels to Dallas; both teams sit at the bottom of their tables and are in desperate need of points. Meanwhile Kansas City hosts the Chicago Fire, who has a one point advantage on the Wizards in the East.
Jacob Singer is a freelance writer who lives in Chicago. He will be covering MLS for 90 Minute Soccer. When he’s not at home reading or writing, he’s playing pickup soccer at Wicker Park. He also writes about the Chicago music scene for Rocknrollghost.com.
