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DC finally puts out the Fire
United eliminate four-time champs in extra time
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Maryland SoccerPlex
Boyds, Maryland
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2
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1
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After Extra Time
CHI - Daniel Woolard (Logan Pause) 36’
DCU - Francis Doe (Jaime Moreno) 77’
DCU - Bryan Namoff (Jaime Moreno) 99’
CHI - Cuauhtemoc Blanco (SENT OFF) 105+
DCU - Marc Burch (SENT OFF) 105+
Match Reports:
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For the first time in franchise history, DC United eliminated the Chicago Fire in a knockout competition, winning 2-1 after extra time in Tuesday’s U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal match.
The Fire, winners of four U.S. Open Cup titles, looked to be on their way to a fifth when Daniel Woolard opened the scoring in the 36th minute when he caught the DC defense out of position after receiving the ball from Logan Pause.
The early going was shaky for DC, prompting some changes in the second half. It turned out to be the subs that helped make the difference for United. Jaime Moreno and Francis Doe with fresh legs combined for a 77th minute goal to even things up.
The second half saw the sides more aggressive with five cautions being issued, though the score remained even at full time. The MLS rivals determined to knock each other out of the competition did not hold back with all four substitutions being used by both squads.
The decider occurred nine minutes into the first overtime period when Bryan Namoff headed in a Jaime Moreno corner kick. Soon after, Moreno left the with an injury but by then his deeds were done, as the veteran earned two assists for his forty minutes of play. Mexican international Cuautemoc Blanco also saw action in the overtime period but it was to be short lived when after fifteen minutes he found himself ejected along with United’s Marc Burch when tempers flared. The second overtime was 10 v 10 with United clinging to their precious lead and managed to outlast the Fire on their way to the Open Cup semifinals.
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