United heads to Virginia, takes Richmond

Given how llttle Jaime Moreno has gotten on the field at all this season, the task he was handed against Richmond on Wednesday was unenviable, almost unreasonable to ask. Yet, the legendary 36-year-old D.C. United forward took to the heavy running demands of his wide left midfield spot with the same intent that he would’ve had it been 1996, when he first arrived in Major League Soccer at the spritely age of 22.

And despite shanking the kind of chance late in the first that he’s buried dozens of times before in what is now the longest tenure of any MLS player, Moreno didn’t make the mistake twice, neatly finishing the gamewinner and setting up another goal early in the second half to help United cruise to a 2-0 win over the Kickers in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup.

“It’s always good, just to play football,” said Moreno. “I know I haven’t played so many games this year and when I have the opportunity, I try to take the most of it. It’s always nice to be involved and just to win. Definitely, it hasn’t been a good year for us and winning is always good.”

But it was even better for Moreno, who has been reduced to a mere role player (four starts in 13 regular season matches) while younger and quicker forwards have claimed minutes in his stead. But the Bolivian showed he’s still capable of magical moments, such as his calmly placed shot from 18 yards out two minutes after halftime and his layoff to Santino Quaranta, who also got a kind deflection for the second goal nine minutes later.

“When he’s on, he’s on, and he was involved in both goals tonight,” said United assistant coach Kris Kelderman, who marshalled for head coach Curt Onalfo, who was suspended for the match and watched from the stands. “He had a very good performance. Obviously, it’s frustrating for every player who is getting to his age, and he might not be as quick or as fast as he used to be, and I think he understands that. It’s a little frustrating for him, but he’s handling the situation well.”

After a scoreless first half in front of a crowd of 2,985 at George Mason – the first time in franchise history that United had played a match in Northern Virginia – Moreno’s performance help secure passage to the quarterfinals of the 96-year-old knockout tournament. In the next round, D.C. will head to the opposite end of the area suburbs to host Harrisburg City at Maryland SoccerPlex on July 21.

Richmond’s best chance to cut the deficit in half came in the 66th minute, when David Hertel’s well placed cross found Matthew Delicate in stride as he race into the penalty area, but United goalkeeper Bill Hamid matched Delicate’s shot with a reaction save.

Moreno lasted on the wing until the 40th minute of the first half, when Santino Quaranta came on to replace Luciano Emilio, who was clocked in the back of the head by Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale on a cross. The Brazilian forward said afterward that he didn’t know where he was for 2-3 seconds, and the substitution allowed Moreno move back to his normal position up front, where he not only scored but was also spared any more grief and gave his teammates a little less worry about having to cover for him.

“‘Man, you’re going play Roberto Carlos on the left, up and down, unbelievable, up and back,'” Quaranta said he had told Moreno the day before. “He was happy when I came in. I know [left defender] Devon [McTavish] was, too.”