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Emilio lifts D.C. United past Galaxy

Jun 29, 2008 - 9:07 PM By Tim Hipps PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

WASHINGTON (Ticker) - The motion of Moreno and control of Emilio trumped bending it like Beckham and the emotion of Landon Donovan in D.C. United's 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday.

Luciano Emilio had two goals and an assist and Jaime Moreno added a goal and an assist to lead D.C. United to an emotional triumph in a chippy match played before 35,979 at muggy RFK Stadium.

D.C. United won its fourth consecutive match and extended its unbeaten streak to six games after losing seven of its first nine of the season.

"We have more motivation now because the Galaxy is in first place," said Emilio, who has scored a goal in six straight games. "For us, it is very important for the confidence. We won against the number one team in their conference and it's very important we know that we can play well and win against the teams that are high."

Marcelo Gallardo scored off assists from Emilio and Gonzalo Martinez to give D.C. United a 3-1 lead in the 60th minute.

Emilio's second goal of the game - his team-leading 10th of the season - off an assist by Fred, gave D.C. United a 4-1 lead in the 68th minute.

Emilio also headed home a crossing pass from the left wing by Marc Burch for a goal in the 37th minute that provided D.C. United a 2-1 edge. Emilio's header beat sprawling Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin to the left corner of the net. Moreno notched his team-high seventh assist of the season on the play.

"It was difficult because the ball came so high and I tried directing the ball to the far post," Emilio said. "I thought at the time it was good for the keeper, but I put the ball on the other side which made it difficult for him."

Galaxy forward Edson Buddle's 10th goal of the season tied the score at 1-1 in the 26th minute. Buddle slipped between hard-closing defenders Bryan Namoff and Devon McTavish, changed directions, and launched a shot past diving D.C. United goalkeeper Zach Wells, who charged from the goal to challenge the shot.

Moreno's goal came on a penalty kick in the fifth minute. The foul was committed by Galaxy midfielder Ante Jazic, who pushed Santino Quaranta to the turf from behind.

"We knew that it was going to be a hot day and an early tally was going to change the game," said Moreno, who tallied the 118th goal of his career, the most by any player in MLS history. "We were fortunate to score a second goal and be able to in the second half really manage the game better and score the other two, which were very important.

"It's another win and it's very important that we keep winning, especially at this time - after we had the slow start and lost so many games. This is another important three points. Every game we take serious, but maybe today was a little bit special for the fans and TV and all that, but it was another game for us."

Beckham said the heat and humidity took its toll on both clubs and complimented D.C. United for being the better team on this day.

"They've got some clever players," Beckham said. "I think the game of soccer is about having clever players and we spoke about it before the game during the past week. But they've got players that can destroy a back four, doesn't matter who you're playing against. They sat in midfield and they pulled up the defense and created their own space and then their players ran through. That's how they got through the defense. It's nothing against, obviously, our defense - the defending starts from forwards and midfielders and if you don't have that defense then it's tough defending."

D.C. United got an emotional lift when midfielder Ben Olsen entered the game in the 75th minute, marking the first appearance of the season for a member of the MLS' Best XI in 2007 who has been recovering from an ankle injury.

"This is a day-to-day thing with me," Olsen said. "We'll see tomorrow how it responds. ... I had three days of training after eight months (off). No one is sugar-coating this thing, it's going to be a long road back for me. We've just got to see if I can get through this period of coming back and get back in shape."

Olsen also was happy to see the spotlight cast back upon D.C. United.

"When we do these type of games where we know it's going to be a full house and a great atmosphere, it's important for us to do well," Olsen said. "Not only for our team and our organization, but for all these people that come watch this game and come to see Beckham - come now to see a D.C. United team that plays with passion, excitement and puts on a very good show.

"It's important for us to keep growing our fan base and put on a good show on ABC, as well. Besides the points and the organization, it's a good day to put on some good soccer. I don't think there's a better show in town right now. I went to a play this week and a movie, and I enjoyed this game a lot better than both of those."

Getting back to the on-field drama, Moreno leg-whipped Beckham to the turf in the 15th minute. After Beckham bounced up and argued vehemently for a call he did not get, both sides responded with increased intensity.

"He was fine," Moreno said. "It's part of the game."

In the 42nd minute, Gallardo and Donovan both received yellow cards after Gallardo backhanded Donovan in the face while being taken down.

"It's part of the game sometimes," Donovan said. "You just try to look to the refs for protection when those things happen."

Gallardo said the blow to Donovan's face was inadvertent.

"There was no bad intention on my part," Gallardo said through an interpreter. "There's things that happen in a game. Everything is fine between him and I. We even exchanged jerseys, so there's nothing more than what just happened in the course of the game.

"It wasn't intentional. I just tried to cover myself when I felt the man marking me and he happened to be right there."

Galaxy coach Rudd Gullit was incensed by the play.

"There was blood coming out of (Donovan's) nose," Gullit said. "Gallardo excused himself to me because he knew he was lucky to stay on the pitch. I blame also a little bit there the fourth official because it's ridiculous - it was right in front of him. If he has no authority what is the point of having him there."

Donovan, however, was complimentary of D.C. United's overall performance.

"They played very well," he said. "We didn't make it very hard on them, but they took advantage of every opening. That's as good as I've seen them play."

D.C. United outshot the Galaxy, 22-10, and had 13 shots on goal to Los Angeles' six.

Donovan had nothing good to report about his team's performance.

"That was a hard game for us," he said. "I don't think we ever felt like we had control of the game. We got back in the game and then gave it away pretty quickly. We could just never find our way back.

"It was a good show for everyone except our 30 people in here."