Courtesy of D.C. United
That’s a wrap on 2019
D.C. United concluded their 2019 schedule with a 4-2 win over the Bermuda national team in a friendly played in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Ola Kamara and Gordon Wild put United out in front early, only for the Gombey Warriors to take advantage of two mistakes to get level by halftime. The Black-and-Red took charge in the second half, however, with Griffin Yow’s brace giving them the win.
United wasted no time getting out in front, with Kamara scoring in the early going to put United up 1-0. United dropped its lines from there, and the game hit a lull as Bermuda’s lack of numbers going forward forced them to exchange passes at the back for stretches.
However, United began to find some opportunities after turnovers, with Yow forcing a corner midway through the half. Wild’s back-post service then found Yow again, but the homegrown winger’s header missed just wide.
The Black-and-Red made it 2-0 shortly thereafter, as Chris Odoi-Atsem’s pressure prevented Bermuda from playing out of the back. Odoi-Atsem won the ball after stepping high, then got into space on the right before picking out Wild with a low cross. With plenty of time, Wild took a touch to set up his favored left foot before tucking the ball into the lower corner from 14 yards.
However, a calamitous error from United gifted Bermuda a goal back in the 33rd minute. Joseph Mora’s throw-in seemed easy enough for Antonio Bustamante to deal with, but a stray first touch allowed Willie Clemons to sneak in and steal the ball. With D.C. pushed into an attacking posture, Clemons raced in behind along the right touchline before firing a cross behind the retreating defense, picking out Charleston Battery attacker Zeiko Lewis for a tap-in.
Bermuda were buoyed by their good fortune, and just before the halftime whistle, United conceded from yet another throw-in, though at least this one was Bermuda’s. Donte Brangman’s throw to Justin Donawa along the endline should have been easy to shut down, but Steven Birnbaum over-committed, and with the rest of the defense not providing proper support, Donawa laid the ball back to the onrushing Osagi Bascome, whose clever one-time finish picked out the far corner.
The teams came back out to find a downpour awaiting them, but for United, there was some good news nonetheless: Oniel Fisher made his first appearance in a D.C. jersey since a severe knee injury suffered in September of 2018, replacing Mora at left back. That was one of four changes from Ben Olsen, who also brought in Lucas Rodriguez, Frederic Brillant, and Loudoun United call-up Alioune Ndour to replace Canouse, Birnbaum, and Kamara.
There were more positives coming for United, who re-took the lead in the 49th minute. Wild’s free kick was poorly cleared, and Yow pounced, guiding a left-footed shot through traffic and just past substitute Bermuda goalkeeper Quinaceo Hunt.
The Black-and-Red were in control, going close on three chances in the next 10 minutes, and after the Gombey Warriors brought in five new players just before the hour mark, they padded their lead in the 64th minute. Rodriguez sped play up, charging through a midfield seam before pushing the ball forward to Yow. Yow took a touch before unleashing a bomb from 22 yards, finding the upper corner to make it 4-2.
Olsen brought Christian Sorto in for Emmanuel Boateng, and the 19 year old nearly linked up with his Loudoun teammate Ndour within seconds. Ndour, sent in behind by Wild, hooked the ball towards the back post, only for it to roll inches away from Sorto’s sliding attempt to finish.
From there, United largely controlled play, putting together extensive periods of possession and creating several half-chances that they couldn’t quite put away. Former Toronto FC midfielder Reggie Lambe’s 73rd minute shot was the only moment of danger for Seitz, who did well to tip the shot wide.
Highlights will be added when they are made available.
Box Score
Friendly
Bermuda 2 (Lewis 36, Bascome 46+)
D.C. United 4 (Kamara 7; Wild 28; Yow 49, 64)
Lineups:
Bermuda (541): Dale Eve (Quinaceo Hunt 46); Donte Brangman (Chikosi Basden 46), Roger Lee (Diego Richardson 65), Dante Leverock (C) (Liam Evans 58), Jaylon Bather, Oliver Harvey (Calon Minors 58); Zeiko Lewis (Reggie Lambe 65), Milan Butterfield (Paul Douglas 58), Osagi Bascome (Tre Ming 58), Willie Clemons (Lejaun Simmons 58); Justin Donawa (Cecoy Robinson 46)
DCU (4231): Chris Seitz (Colin Miller 90); Chris Odoi-Atsem (Shane Wiedt 68), Donovan Pines, Steven Birnbaum (C) (Frederic Brillant 46), Joseph Mora (Oniel Fisher 46); Russell Canouse (Lucas Rodriguez 46), Antonio Bustamante (Collin Verfurth 75); Griffin Yow, Gordon Wild (Allexon Saravia 82), Emmanuel Boateng (Christian Sorto 65); Ola Kamara (Alioune Ndour 46)
Bookings:
Bermuda – None
DCU – None
Note: Due to a lack of game clock, all times are approximate
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