After going down 2-0 in the first half, late strikes from Andy Najar in the 72nd minute and Boyzzz Khumalo in the 86th salvaged a draw for United’s reserves against Real Maryland FC Sunday evening at the D.C. United Training Complex.
The first half was largely a quiet affair through the first 30 minutes, as Adam Cristman and Boyzzz Khumalo both sent shots wide in the early going. Real Maryland nearly got on the board in the 18th minute when one of its forward was put through 1-v-1 with goalkeeper Bill Hamid, but the 19-year netminder made a great reflex save to deny the opportunity.
The Monarchs got on the board in the 33rd minute, when Hamid was unable to handle a strong shot from the left side of his box – the rebound fell directly in front of a waiting forward, who easily tucked the ball in the back of the net from six yards.
Real Maryland doubled its lead 11 minutes later, when Devon McTavish’s received a pass in his own box, but got the ball stuck under his right foot. His attempt to push the ball back to Hamid as he fell was intercepted and put into the goal for a 2-0 Monarchs lead.
At the half, United made one change, bringing on trialist Edrissa Jarra – a 18-year old forward from Gambia – for Christian Castillo. The new face nearly made an immediate impact in the 47th minute, when he snuck past Real Maryland’s defenders with the ball and into the goal box – he just about made his way around the goalkeeper, but was stuffed at the last minute.
As the game wore on it seemed as though DC’s reserves would have to settle for a loss, but 17-year old Andy Najar pulled one back in the 72nd minute with a beautifully taken free kick. Standing over the dead ball from nearly 25 yards, the club’s former Academy standout struck a curling ball over the wall and into the top corner to cut the deficit in half.
With just four minutes remaining in the game, United notched its second goal. A low shot was saved by Real Maryland’s goalkeeper, but not covered up and the rebound fell directly to Khumalo who slammed the ball into the goal from just a few yards.
The South African’s tally would prove to be the final goal of the game, as the referee’s final whistle came minutes later.
D.C. United Reserves vs. Real Maryland
April 11, 2010
D.C. United Training Complex
Scoring summary
RM – 33’
RM – 44’
DCU – Andy Najar 72’
DCU – Boyzzz Khumalo 86’
United lineup: Bill Hamid; Devon McTavish, Barry Rice (Tiyi Shipalane 42), Lyle Adams, Jordan Graye; Christian Castillo (Edrissa Jarra 45), Andy Najar, Drew Yates, Boyzzz Khumalo; Junior Da Silva (red card 78, Domenic Mediate 80), Adam Cristman.
