Final
Moreno, Emilio help United top Wizards
Aug 3, 2008 - 3:21 AM By Tim Hipps PA SportsTicker Contributing WriterWASHINGTON (Ticker) -- Jaime Moreno had a goal and an assist and Luciano Emilio also scored a goal to lift DC United to a 2-0 victory over the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday night.
Moreno, the all-time scoring leader for the United, scored on a misdirectional header that got past diving Wizards goalkepper Kevin Hartman and barely cleared the left post for a 2-0 lead in the 60th minute.
"It's been a long time since I've scored, I think," said Moreno, whose last goal came on June 29. "I can't remember the last time I scored with a header, but it's just the way we play. With some guys injured, we finally found the way that we want to play."
Marc Burch assisted on Moreno's seventh goal that atoned for the Bolivian striker's blown scoring opportunity in the 44th minute chance.
"Marc hit a great ball and Jaime did a good job to get a touch on it," United coach Tom Soehn said. "Jaime's relentless. He never lets anything get him down."
"Jaime's great at flicking balls on," Burch said. "He made a good run and I was working this week in practice on getting it over the first guy, and I did, and Jaime finally flicked one on and right in."
"I thought their goal was a world-class goal from Jaime," Wizards coach Curt Onalfo said. "He pretty much hit it the only place you could and sometimes you just have to take your hat off to that."
Emilio's team-leading 11th goal came on a left-footed blast from 14 yards out that made it 1-0 in the 28th minute off assists from Moreno and Ivan Guerrero.
"I got control by dribbling and took the shot with my left foot," Emilio said.
The goal also moved Emilio into a four-way tie - one goal behind Los Angeles Galaxy's Landon Donovan, who has 12 goals - for the league's golden boot award.
"I can win again the golden boot," Emilio said. "Just one goal for a tie with Landon. I work hard first for a team win so everybody's happy and it's good for us, but I think I have a big chance to win the golden boot again."
The victory ended the United's four-match losing streak in overall play, the longest skid in the club's history. Goalkeeper Zach Wells (8-7-1) made eight saves to post his first shutout of the season.
"I thought it was a good, organized defensive performance from everyone," Wells said. "When the team works that hard, it makes it easier on everyone to read plays and play off guys offensively."
The setback ended Kansas City's six-game unbeaten streak.
"We didn't come out sharp," Wizards captain Jimmy Conrad said. "They played with a lot of purpose tonight. They had a game plan and they stuck to it. I'd like to say that we didn't stick to ours, but we couldn't even hold the ball to get in a position to manifest our attack."
- MLS
KANSAS CITY 0
DC UNITED 2 FINAL
Aug 2 9:28 PM - MLS UPDATE
KANSAS CITY 0
DC UNITED 2
DC UNITED GOAL: Jaime Moreno in the 60th minute
Sporting Kansas City 0, D.C. United 2 60'Aug 2 8:55 PM - MLS
KANSAS CITY 0
DC UNITED 1 HALFTIME
Aug 2 8:24 PM - MLS UPDATE
KANSAS CITY 0
DC UNITED 1
DC UNITED GOAL: Luciano Emilio in the 28th minute
Sporting Kansas City 0, D.C. United 1 28'Aug 2 8:06 PM
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