Brazilian duo punchless, as DC draws

DC United drew 1-1 with Morelia in SuperLiga group play, after Brazilian forward Emilio missed two clear chances and countryman Fred also missed an easy putaway.

It was a typical game for the 2007 United team, as they dominated possession of the ball, but couldn't find a way to make a 7th minute Christian Gomez goal hold up. Gomez, reigning MLS MVP, curled a free kick around the wall and inside the right post to put DC United on top. DC was clearly outplaying Morelia iin the first half, and nearly made it 2-0, when Fred nutmeged his defender with a through ball to Rod Dyachenko, who crossed to Emilio. But Emilio blasted his shot over the bar with the an open goal yawning before him.

In the second half, Jamaican referee Courtney Campbell began to lose control of the match after an incident between DC's Bobby Boswell and Morelia's Luis Landin. Boswell whacking away at a loose ball at Landin's feet, cracked the player across the inner thigh (nearly nuts region). Landin retaliated with a hard shove, and was ejected. Boswell was given only a yellow. Morelia lost all composure after the incident, hacking away at United and Campbell seemed reluctant to make further calls against either team.

Even with Morelia down a man, DC could not capitalize, as their toothless attack continued. The substitution of Nicholas Addlery provided fresh legs, but no goals. Emilio's pretty backheel to Ben Olsen and Olsen's cross to Fred was blasted over the bar and the score remained 1-0.

As has been the case for United this season, poor marking led to Morelia's equalizer. A long ball across the front of the box found an unmarked Diego Martinez who blasted a diagonal shot past the helpkless Troy Perkins. The score remained 1-1 and the clubs will split the points.

DC will play Club Americaon July 29th, before finishing group play against the Houston Dynamono August 1. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals.