DC United 2:1 San Jose Earthquakes

3 April 2004 AF (anno freddy)

The big story, as it turned out, was the return of Jaime Moreno, rather than the debut of Freddy Adu.

The 30 year old Moreno, United's all-time leading scorer, spent last year with Metrostars and a bum back. Signed only 24 hours before the game, Moreno promptly picked up where he left off with DC, scoring in the 12 minute on a header from Earnie Stewart's cross. He still has his speed too, showing excellent pace on several runs in the midfield.

I have to believe a healthy, in form Moreno is way more important to the team's chances than the presence of young Freddy. But as to that, Moreno's professionalism will be a key to Freddy's learning experience. He's class, and always has been.

The defending champions leveled the score on a 19th minute Ronnie Ekelund penalty kick, stemming from Nick Rimando's clumsy challenge on Brian Mullan. Alecko Eskandarian started of his season with the best goal of the game, a left footed volley in the 39th to regain the lead for DC.

The second half was ugly. Waibel, gone. Dema, gone. An ugly tackle and an elbow to the face, respectively, brought out straight reds from Brian Stott. 10 on 10 action did little to open up the game, however, even when Freddy finally got his chance in the 60th minute.

It was a quiet, unspectacular debut. Exactly the kind of debut a 14 year old kid should have. He made a very nice pass to Kovalenko, took Agoos on and promptly got dumped inside the box (Kevin Stott stood in front of him and gave the international symbol for "get up, rook", which was great), and that was about it. His off the ball movement was slow and lacked confidence or conviction. He never really looked dangerous.

But hey, when I was 14, I showed up for soccer tryouts in dress shoes because I left my cleats at home, so far be it from me to give the kid grief. He's going to be good, probably great, and it's going to be fun to see the game in which the lightbulb goes off and he rips some poor team for a hat trick.

Bobby Convey looked a little tired, and missed an empty goal that I could have hit, but he's still going to be as important as Moreno this year to DC, and will probably be in Europe this time next year.

Good crowd in DC, competent coverage by ABC, and three goals. Not bad for opening day.

Tonight, I'm putting on my red scarf, firing up the DirectTV satellite, and watching the Burn beat the snot out of Colorado. At the Cotton Bowl. On grass. With Ronnie O'Brien in the lineup. The way it should be.