May 13, 2000 – Free kick hat trick, Revolution defeat D.C. Utd.; new striker on way?
Post by frankdellapa@gmail.com
The Revolution earned three free kicks, three different players converting all three in a 3-1 victory over D.C. United. Wolde Harris (15th minute) equalized, a minute after a Jaime Moreno goal, then Mauricio Ramos (65th) and Imad Baba (82nd) scored and Jeff Causey saved a Moreno penalty kick in the second half. The Revolution improved their unbeaten streak to five games, their longest streak in five years of existence, and were on the way to their first .500 season. Coach Fernando Clavijo inserted Mike Burns into a holding midfield role in the second half, and the tactic worked as Burns slowed Moreno.
“I have confidence playing midfield,” Burns said. “I tried to shut [Moreno] down, limit his opportunities, play as close to him as I could get. I’ve been ready to play for a long time and I want to contribute to the team. My objective is to be out there for every minute of every game.”
May 13, 2000 – D.C. Utd. 1:3 Revolution at RFK Stadium (Att.: 18,493)
After the game, the Revolution revealed the team would be adding a striker. In the off-season, the team had turned down Senegalese striker Mamadou Diallo, who went on to lead the league in scoring with 26 goals for the Tampa Bay Mutiny. Diallo’s agent, Boston-based Patrick McCabe, offered South African national teamer Pollen Ndlanya, but the deal fell through, Ndlanya ending up with Orlando Pirates. Two months later, the Revolution signed former Real Madrid forward Jose Luis Morales, who totaled one goal in 13 appearances – the clinching score as the Revolution qualified for the playoffs in September.
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