United’s biggest crowd in franchise history watches Real victory
For the better part of an hour against the world’s biggest club, D.C. United’s level of play matched both the mercury and the best attacking players money can buy.
But in front 72,368 at FedEx Field, the biggest home crowd in United’s 14-year history — and one that suffered through stifling 95-degree heat — Real Madrid drew on its unmatched reserves and prevailed with a trio of second-half strikes for a 3-0 international exhibition victory.
Dutch forward Arjen Robben, a halftime substitute, had a hand in all three goals, paving the way in the 57th and 59th minutes for Gonzalo Higuaín — Real Madrid’s leading scorer last season — before finishing off United himself in the 69th.
“I was just excited to be playing in front of that many people,” said United midfielder Chris Pontius. “You don’t get this opportunity very often. I think we were all excited, and the fans just wanted to see a good game today. I think they saw that. I don’t think scoreline shows how close the game was.”
United was determined not to repeat Toronto FC’s wilting 5-1 defeat two days earlier at the hands of the Spaniards, setting the tone with early physical play and disciplined defense. Real’s record summer signings, Cristiano Ronaldo ($135 million) and Kaká ($93 million), were limited to a combined one shot on goal.
United goalkeeper Josh Wicks took care of the rest, diving left to deny Esteban Granero’s blast and later, a Higuaín header, for two of five first-half saves as the teams went scoreless into halftime.
“I felt like we had a pretty good position,” said United midfielder Ben Olsen. “We did a good job in the first half, of making plays when they counted, and really clogging up the middle, and putting good pressure on them so they didn’t have the time to make the plays that make them special.”
United midfielder Fred nearly beat Real Madrid netminder Iker Casillas immediately after the break, and Wicks stonewalled Robben in the 52nd minute.
But five minutes later, with Robben attracting two United defenders, Higuaín, burst through for his first goal. The two attackers then combined on a counterattack two minutes later, and Robben later chipped Milos Kocic two minutes after the reserve United keeper replaced Wicks.
“There are times when teams you are just outmatched,” said Olsen. “You bring a guy like Robben off the bench, one of the best players in the world going forward and getting after you. It’s a tough challenge, and you have to do everything right. If you mess up for a half a second, that’s why they’re some of the best in the world. They punish you.”
