McColm Cephas scores the match-winner

By Ken Wright
THE WASHINGTON TIMES



           RICHMOND — The gap between the A-League and the 10 teams in Major League Soccer is closer than most fans realize.

     The latest example of the strength of the A-League occurred last night when D.C. United lost to the Richmond Kickers 2-1. It was the second time in club history United has lost to an A-League team in U.S. Open Cup competition.

      Unheralded forward McColm Cephas scored both Richmond goals before 8,776 at University of Richmond Stadium in the Cup's fourth round.

    "Our midfield let everything through, and too many guys had the day off," United coach Peter Nowak said. "As professionals, this shouldn't happen."

      The Kickers (10-7-3), fourth in the A-League's Eastern Conference, will play host to the Chicago Fire on Aug. 4 in the quarterfinals.

      United wasn't alone in losing as three MLS teams fell to A-League clubs Tuesday. The Los Angeles Galaxy, best team in MLS, lost to the Minnesota Thunder 1-0; the MetroStars lost to the Charleston (S.C.) Battery 1-0; and the New England Revolution were eliminated by the Rochester Raging Rhinos in a penalty kick shootout (3-1) after a 1-1 tie in regulation.

      "If we play like that all the time, we can play with anybody in MLS and the A-League," said Kickers midfielder Richie Williams, who played six seasons (1996 to 2000 and 2002) with United. "We deserved to win the game — we had the better run of play."

     After thoroughly outplaying United from the opening whistle, the Kickers finally struck in the 33rd minute on Cephas' first goal. Cephas, a Liberian international, scored on a breakdown between United central defender Mike Petke and goalkeeper Nick Rimando.

     Cephas jostled with Petke for position in the box. With the ball bouncing around, Petke and Cephas went left locked in a spin. Rimando came off his line late as Cephas collected the loose ball and chipped it from 8 yards into an open goal.

     "I saw the goalie on the side, so I didn't try to hit it with my left foot, I hit it well and I'm really happy right now," Cephas said.

     On Richmond's second goal, Rimando had very little time to react on a quick-hitting counter on a cross by Joey Worthen that Cephas banged in.

     Nana Kuffour, who United signed to a developmental contract two weeks ago, headed in a Freddy Adu corner kick in the 82nd minute to cut the deficit to 2-1. Adu didn't start but entered the game at halftime for fellow rookie Kevin Ara.

     "You cannot win the game when your two youngest players are the only ones that were playing," Nowak said