Moving on
D.C. United blanks Crew to return to MLS Cup
Posted: Wednesday October 21, 1998 11:47 PM
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Columbus' Stern John (right) and D.C. United's Carlos Llamosa fight for control of the ball AP |
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The only thing standing between D.C. United and its third straight Major League Soccer title is former assistant coach Bob Bradley and his expansion Chicago Fire.
Roy Lassiter scored twice and Jeff Agoos added a goal as United clinched the Eastern Conference finals with a 3-0 victory over the Columbus Crew Wednesday night.
United faces the Bradley-led Fire Sunday in the MLS Cup championship at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Chicago swept the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Western Conference best-of-three finals.
"We want another ring," said Agoos, who scored his second goal of the season in the 12th minute.
Lassiter connected in the 44th and 79th minutes as United improved its three-year playoff record at RFK Stadium to 9-0.
"The crowd was terrific tonight," United Coach Bruce Arena said about the 21,453 fans who showed up for the weeknight contest. "I'm happy for the players. We've been in this market for three years and we've been a consistent winner. It's nice to get a pat on the back."
United goalie Tom Presthus made five saves for his third shutout in his last four playoff games.
Columbus snapped United's 13-game playoff winning streak with a 4-2 victory in Game 2 Sunday at Ohio Stadium. The Crew is 0-9 at RFK.
"This is getting to be old hat here in Washington," Crew Coach Tom Fitzgerald said. "I wish you people would build a new stadium so we can win a game."
United controlled Wednesday's game from the start with Jaime Moreno firing a shot at Crew goalie Juergen Sommer just 20 seconds into the match.
D.C. cracked the Crew defense in the 12th minute after Brian McBride was called for a foul on Ben Olsen four yards outside the penalty area.
United playmaker Marco Etcheverry, known for his crafty free kicks, set up from 22 yards. Etcheverry slotted the ball to Agoos in the middle. Crew defender Ansil Elcock tried to stop Agoos, but the United defender blasted a shot that deflected off Elcock's right foot and tucked into the left corner of the net.
United's second score came off a long pass by Etcheverry to the edge of the penalty area. Moreno one-timed the ball to John Harkes, who redirected it to the front of the net.
The speedy Lassiter ran onto the ball and pushed it with his left foot past Sommer.
Lassiter's final goal, his fourth of the playoffs, came on a breakaway.
United out-shot the Crew 16-11, including an 8-3 advantage in the first half.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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