Marching on
United takes 1-0 series lead on Crew
Posted: Sunday October 11, 1998 08:11 PM
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Carlos Llamosa (center) reacts after a header during the second half AP |
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Tony Sanneh and Marco Etcheverry scored as D.C. United won its 13th consecutive Major League Soccer playoff game, 2-0 over the Columbus Crew in the opener of the Eastern Conference finals Sunday.
United, looking for its third straight MLS title, can clinch the best-of-3 series October 18 at Columbus.
The Crew, swept by United in the conference finals last year, has lost all eight games it has played at RFK Stadium.
"Certainly D.C. has set the bar for everyone," Crew coach Tom Fitzgerald said.
Sanneh didn't start because of a strained groin that forced him to miss almost half of the season. Coach Bruce Arena inserted Sanneh for forward A.J. Wood in the 63rd minute and he responded with a goal five minutes later.
Defender Jeff Agoos blasted a shot from just outside the penalty area that Sanneh, lurking six yards out, was able to redirect past Crew goalkeeper Juergen Sommer.
"I was making a run to at least screen the keeper," Sanneh said. "I turned my body so if the ball did hit me at least it would go on goal."
Etcheverry put the game away in the 78th minute on a great individual effort.
Etcheverry dribbled around Jeff Cunningham and then chipped a ball from 20 yards out that just cleared defender Thomas Dooley and caught Sommer off his line.
United keeper Tom Presthus made three saves for his second shutout in three playoff starts. The Crew had only three shots in the first half with none on goal.
"I was bored in the first half," Presthus said. "The defense makes it a lot easier when I'm only asked to make one or two saves a game. It's a fun job."
Presthus, United's backup most of the season, has allowed just one goal in his last 558 minutes of action in all competitions.
The Crew, which scored six goals in a two-game sweep over the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in the conference semifinals, were shutout for just the second time since July.
Fitzgerald was succinct when asked what the Crew needed to do to beat United: "Get three goals better."
United improved to 16-2 at RFK against league opponents this season. D.C. is 8-0 in playoff action at home.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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