Photo Credit: CONCACAF
Tell me if you have heard this one before: a Major League Soccer team entered a match a Liga MX side. In the first half they looked like they might get a result. In the second half they were beaten soundly by a mixture of poor defending, poor timing, and a couple of brilliant goal-scoring opportunities. The more things change, the more they stay the same in the CONCACAF Champions League. On Tuesday night it was D.C. United’s turn on the wheel of predictable results with a deflating 2-0 loss at the hands of Queretaro at Queretaro City in Mexico.
Both sides looked extremely tentative early on with both sides making few deep runs into their opponent’s territory. Queretaro appeared to have the early advantage given that they have already started their domestic league season. But D.C. nearly took the wind off of their sails early on. In the third minute, United center-back Steve Birnbaum nearly finished off a corner kick taken by forward Fabian Espindola. His header was on target but ultimately saved by Queretaro goalkeeper Tiago Volpi.
Birnbaum would prove his worth just one minute later with a clear of a dangerous ball placed into the box by midfielder Sinha. The former Mexican international had slipped by United right-back Sean Franklin and hammered in a cross that was destined for forward Tito Villa. But the United States Men’s National Team defender kicked it out of danger.
Sinha would continue to find space down the left flank of flank of United using his speed and pace to expose gaps. However, credit should go to Birnbaum and fellow center-back Bobby Boswell for their tight marking on Villa, last year’s leading goal-scorer in the Apertura. United’s defense would be buoyed with the departure of Villa in the 23rd minute after suffering an apparent knee injury.
Despite facing some pressure, United would slowly build up their attack as the first half progressed. Midfielder Luciano Acosta’s speed and footwork caused massive problems for the Queretaro defense. A simple pass out to Espindola in the 23rd minute gave D.C. their first chance at a goal in open play. Unfortunately Espindola’s small shooting window was not enough to give them the advantage.
Acosta would have his own opportunity in the 37th minute with a difficult chance from just at the edge of the eighteen yard box. Volpi made the save but did not properly gain control of the shot. Espindola had an opportunity to bury the rebound but could not get it past Volpi.
In the second half it appeared that United might have a chance at coming out of Mexico with three points. A strike by United left-back Taylor Kemp caught Volpi napping but inevitably hit the cross-bar. A throw-in by De Leon in the 67th minute landed right on the lap of Birnbaum. However, Birnbaum duffed his shot and the chance was ultimately cleared by Volpi. The Brazilian handled the immense pressure levied by United during the match and kept things close when a game-winner appeared certain.
After surviving a scare, Queretaro would make D.C. pay for not finishing their opportunity. In the 69th minute, Yerson Candelo would nail a shot from beyond the eighteen into the upper-right corner of D.C.’s goal. Candelo, who came on for Villa, was assisted by Sinha whose pass to Palario Benitez helped open up the D.C. defense. The goal was Candelo’s first of the tournament.
Queretaro would put the match away in the 83rd minute with a strike by Benitez. Dykstra read the direction correctly but was unable to get down in time to prevent the second goal of the match.
Both sides will meet next Tuesday at RFK Stadium for the second leg. The match will take place at 8pm and will be on Fox Sports 1 and Univision Deportes.
MATCH RECAP
D.C. United- Andrew Dykstra, Taylor Kemp, Steve Birnbaum, Sean Franklin, Chris Rolfe (Rob Vincent 58′), Marcelo Sarvis, Nick De Leon, Patrick Nyarko ( Markus Halsti 64′), Luciano Acosta (Julian Buscher 75′), and Fabian Espindola (Alvaro Saborio 84′)
Yellow Card- Sarvas (77′)
Queretaro- Tiago Volpi, Johnathan Bornstein, Miguel Martinez, Juan Forlin, George Corral (Yasser Corona 56′), Nery Dominguez, Marco Jimenez, Palario Benitez (Carlos Fierro 87′), Sinha, Angel Sepulveda, and Titto Vila (Yerson Candelo 23′)
Goals- Candelo (71′) and Benitez (84′)
