Jaime Moreno and Rod Dyachenko scored for D.C. United to lead the Black-and-Red to a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Wizards in a 120-minute exhibition at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla., on Tuesday.
United score goals in the 12th and 63rd minutes, but a 104th minute strike for the Wizards made things interesting late. With the win, D.C. United improve to 2-1-1 in preseason action.
"This culminates a very good two weeks of work for us," said United head coach Peter Nowak. "I'm happy with the team's effort, the training sessions and how we are coming together. I'm already looking forward to our next camp."
United stormed in front early on against Kansas City. Justin Moose sent a ball from the right wing to a checking Moreno and the Bolivian striker turned to his left towards free space and onto his lethal right foot. His deflected shot was too much for a diving Bo Oshoniyi and found the far side netting.
A sharp Nick Rimando kept the Wizards scoreless through the halfway mark. Nearly 30 minutes in, he slapped away a 20-yard Scott Sealy bid. Rimando then dove to his left to stop a subsequent Wizards free kick. Shortly thereafter, Sealy again found space within the left side of United's penalty area, but shot over the bar under pressure from Rimando.
Lucio Filomeno nearly doubled United's lead at the half-hour mark. A long distribution from Rimando freed the Argentine to the end line and he cut to his left foot and sent a blast on frame. Oshoniyi did well to parry away the shot and Josh Gros' re-direct attempt passed over the bar.
Despite sending a new side into the game 60 minutes in, United continued to dominate play. Creative interplay resulted in Jamil Walker finding Nick Van Sicklen behind the Wizards defense and he midfielder was taken down in the box leading to Dyachenko's cool finish from the penalty spot.
Dyachenko was shown a second yellow in the 72nd minute and was replaced by Pablo Gomez.
Kansas City soon began to pressure United's back line with a series of long balls sent behind the defense. A late Wizards goal tightened the scoreboard, but Andrew Weber's diving tip in the 112th minute put an end to any hopes of a Wizards comeback.
United will train one last time in Bradenton Tuesday afternoon before returning to the Nation's Capital on Wednesday. The club will work out at their RFK Stadium training complex on Friday before departing for Spain on Sunday.
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