D.C. United has a tall task ahead if it is going to reach the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League semifinals after a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Alajuelense at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Costa Rica. The two sides face off in the second leg of their quarterfinal clash March 4 at 8 p.m. United will need to win by three goals without allowing more than one – i.e. 3-0 or 4-1 – or win outright by four goals to advance.
In the first leg, a classic finish by Fabián Espíndola and Steven Birnbaum’s first career goal weren’t nearly enough against a home side that scored three times in the first half and answered each time that D.C. United cut into the advantage.
Ariel Rodriguez converted a penalty kick to put Alajuelense on top early in the 15th minute after United goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra, in his first start since an Achilles injury in July, raced off his line and fouled Armando Alonso at the left edge of the 18-yard box.
Jose Ortiz doubled the lead in the 22nd minute, but two minutes later Espíndola got behind the Costa Rica defense and headed over Alajuelense goalkeeper Dexter Lewis to make it 2-1. The reprieve was short lived, as Johan Venegas scooped up a loose ball in point-blank range in the 27th minute.
It was 4-1 after Ortiz scored again in the 54th minute.
Birnbaum soared for a powerful header to give D.C. United a crucial second away goal in the 89th minute and make the score 4-2, only to see a three-goal deficit restored seconds later when Jonathan Macdonald gave the home fans cause for celebration once more.
Jairo Arrieta, Michael Farfan, and rookie Miguel Aguilar all came off the bench to make their Black-and-Red debut in the second half. Markus Halsti and Bill Hamid both missed the trip due to injuries picked up during the team’s preseason leg in Texas.
DCU Lineup: Andrew Dykstra; Sean Franklin, Steven Birnbaum, Bobby Boswell, Taylor Kemp; Nick DeLeon, Davy Arnaud (Michael Farfan 81’), Perry Kitchen, Chris Rolfe (Miguel Aguilar 71’); Fabián Espíndola, Chris Pontius (Jairo Arrieta 57’)
