DC United scored a late equalizer at Rio Tinto Stadium to draw even with Real Salt Lake 1-1 on Saturday night. Fabian Espindola converted a penalty kick in the 38th minute to give RSL the 1-0 lead that they held for most of the match until the 83rd minute where Charlie Davies drew and converted a penalty kick of his own to even it up.
DC started the match very strongly with dominating possession 65/35 for the first 20 minutes. A few chances were created by the United offense, but RSL’s defense was up to the task at shutting them down. RSL began to settle down and started taking the edge of posession. In the 38th minute, referee Terry Vaughn whistled Clyde Simms for a handball in the box which led to Espindola’s goal. In the second half, United had more chances to score but were unable to convert with some painfully hitting the cross bar. Just when I thought we were going to lose, Davies was “fouled” inside the box and Vaughn gave United an opportunity for the equalizer, which sent RSL and their fans into a rage. Davies converted and the end result was 1-1 amid boos from the fans at Rio Tinto.
The biggest headline was unfortunately another controversy for the MLS and DC United. When looking at the replays, it is clear that Charlie Davies was untouched when he fell inside the box that led to the tying goal. This constitutes a dive, and RSL defender Chris Wingert could not believe that Vaughn called a foul on him. Thus we have another controversy around the officiating of the MLS, and it’s unlucky for DC United and their fans who will now have to deal with the scrutiny for the rest of the season. Don’t get me wrong, Real Salt Lake and their fans have every right to be upset (even pure rage could be acceptable) but their anger, as well as everyone else’s in the league, ought to be directed at Terry Vaughn. Vaughn has had issues with almost every match he’s officiated this season, and the league needs to take action. What happened Saturday night will only encourage players to continue to bend rules and try to give themselves the advantage. Davies isn’t the first player to dive in the MLS, or in soccer for that matter and if given the chance, most athletes will try to give themselves the advantage in some form or fashion (heck, I know I would). Soccer players do it all the time in multiple spots in matches. I’m not saying I agree with it, but what Davies did is not anything new, and I’m sure he did not lose any sleep over it last night. Something else I noticed as I went back to the replays was that the side judge was also near Davies and Wingert on the sideline and probably had a better angle, yet did not do anything.
On a positive note, Chris Pontius turned in yet another stellar match for DC. He had at least two shots go off the cross bar and probably deserved a goal more than anyone else in the stadium that night. Also, some good things came from the defense after last week’s shellacking. They did not allow a goal in the run of play, and if they keep that type of play up, United will be hard to beat through the second half of the season. Zayner’s return was very nice and he played well as an outside back. Hamid made some nice saves and the rookies did alright. Overall, I am very satisfied with the defense and their performance. If it were not for the hand ball by Simms, it would have been another goose egg.
Overall, I’m happy to leave RSL with one point. Now DC will return to RFK to play Houston on Saturday June 25th at 6 PM eastern time. Preview to come later this week.
(image courtesy of George Frey/Getty Images)
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
