CARSON, Calif. -- A 10-month journey ended for D.C. United as the most successful club in MLS history returned to its championship ways with a 3-2 MLS Cup victory against the Kansas City Wizards.
After four years of futility following their 1999 triumph, first-year coach Peter Nowak steered his young side through a challenging year, dominated by the media hype surrounding teen phenom Freddy Adu and characterized by inconsistency until the season's final month.
But Nowak's team-oriented philosophy of hard-working, aggressive play keyed by fluid combinations and sharp counterattacking seemed to click just in time for the stretch run, as United reeled off nine wins in their last 10 matches, culminating with Sunday's hard-earned win against the Wizards.
Defender Jose Burciaga, Jr. gave the Kansas City Wizards the perfect start to the match, scoring one of the quickest goals in MLS Cup history with a sixth-minute strike from distance. But later in the first half, an rapid-fire response from United -- three goals in seven minutes -- pushed the Eastern Conference champions into a lead that they didn't surrender despite finishing the match with 10 men after Dema Kovalenko's 57th-minute sending off.
It was a team effort, just like the rest of United's rollercoaster season, and player after player hailed their side's deep unity and uncommon togetherness.
"It's hard to explain," said talismanic striker and United original Jaime Moreno. "It's all the hard work we went through the whole year, and everything paid off. We had the patience, we worked together, we knew what we were able to do, and we're here right now. A lot of people didn't believe in this, and we're just happy that we did it and we have the Cup tonight."
There was also a tinge of sadness and nostalgia, as it has become apparent that several of the team's mainstays will be moving on, including veteran leaders Earnie Stewart and Ryan Nelsen.
"We don't know the situation with Ryan Nelsen, and I don't want to be going ahead of that, but it looks like he's also going to leave the team," said Nowak.
With his contract expiring, Nelsen is likely to try his way in the English leagues, though United has shown a desire to make him one of the highest-paid defenders in MLS. The New Zealand international declined to make any prediction on Sunday evening, intent on basking in the glow of his first major trophy.
"In all honesty, tomorrow I'm going to wake up with a major hangover, and I'm just going to have a good think from there," said Nelsen. "I'm just going to enjoy it and have a think on it.
"No question, this is by far my biggest moment -- when you win a Cup Final for your team, you've trained for ten months, all the fitness, for this one chance to lift the trophy, to prove to the fans that we're the best team in MLS. It's all worth it, hands down."
Said Moreno: "Some players have to leave, and that's for the best for everyone. It's sad to see all those players leaving, but life continues and you've got to do what you've got to do. For sure, we're going to miss those players if they leave. That will come in the future, but for now we've got to enjoy the moment."
Nowak praised his squad for completing a long journey that began with an Opening Day victory against the defending champion San Jose Earthquakes.
"We earned this game," said Nowak. "We had a game plan, we stuck to our game plan, the boys did a good job. (CEO) Kevin Payne, (Technical Director) Dave Kasper, all my players, they trusted my way, they trusted my vision, they shared my vision with me -- it's just amazing. We beat the defending champions in the first game of the season, and today we are the champions."
Alecko Eskandarian earned MVP honors with a two-goal performance, and despite suspicions of a handball leading to his second tally, there was no denying Nowak's determined side.
"The players have been through a lot -- I put them through hell," said Nowak. "But they got their reward today. Whatever the calls are going to be, whatever the fouls are going to be, yellow cards, red cards, it doesn't really matter because at the end when a team has character.
"They have real attitude and (winning) mentality, they're always going to come first and they're always going to be the winners. They shared my vision and they got the cup at the end."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
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