Still looking for their first points of the CCL, D.C. United will travel to Costa Rica Thursday to take on one of the regions most storied teams, Deportivo Saprissa. Deportivo Saprissa (CRC) v D.C. United (USA) (Group A) When: 10 pm ET, Thursday, October 9, 2008 Where: Estadio Ricardo Saprissa, San Jose, Costa Rica TV: Fox Soccer Channel Things could not get much worse for D.C. United. Saturday’s loss to Chivas USA marked the sixth straight time the team has been beaten. To make matters worse midfielders Marcello Gallardo, in his first game back from an adductor strain, and Fred both left the Chivas game with injuries. Plus, strikers Luciano Emilio and Jaime Moreno did not travel. United will now have to deal with a trip to the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa and a Saprissa team that will be playing with a chance to take over the lead in Group A. Three straight losses in the group left D.C. with almost no hope of advancing to the next round of CCL play but MLS’s most successful franchise still has a chance to have a great effect on the outcome of the tournament. With Saprissa, Cruz Azul of Mexico, and C.D. Marathon of Honduras all still in contention for the group crown, and D.C. having matches left with each of them, United will have three distinct chances to make their presence known. D.C.’s first chance at CCL redemption will come Thursday night and the result will be watched closely by both Cruz Azul and Marathon who played to a 1-1 draw Tuesday. A win or a draw for United will leave Cruz and Marathon as the favorites to advance from Group A. A loss for United and Saprissa will be in sole possession of first place with two games to play. Goal.com
Re: CONCACAF Champions League Preview: DC To Play Spoiler Dyachenko nets a 2-2 tie for United in Costa Rica By Rob Miech · October 10, 2008 · 1:16 PM Former UNLV striker Rod Dyachenko scored a late goal Thursday night in Costa Rica to earn a 2-2 tie for D.C. United in a CONCACAF Champions League match. In the second minute of the second half of stoppage time, Dyachenko chested a Marc Burch corner kick into the net at Ricardo Saprissa Stadium in San Jose, Costa Rica. It was the first and only point that D.C. has earned in Group A of the Champions League. Saprissa, which is nicknamed “Purple Monster,” CD Marathon and Cruz Azul all have seven points. United finishes the group stage Oct. 21 at Cruz Azul in Mexico City and at home Oct. 29 against Honduras-based Marathon. Dyachenko, a 25-year-old midfielder, has started five of 19 games this season. He hasn’t scored in Major League Soccer games but has assisted on three goals. "Burchy and I have been talking about really bursting into that near space, at the near post, so as soon as he hit it I just ran right for it," Dyachenko said. "I didn't think I was going to get the ball, but somehow it just slipped through." United (10-14-3, 33 points) is making a last-gasp run to the MLS playoffs. It plays at Houston on Sunday, at home against New England on Thursday and finishes at Colorado on Oct. 26. Las Vegas Sun
