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Impact top Crew for Disney Pro Soccer Classic title, D.C. United beat Union, and more

By VINCE MADURI

The Montreal Impact narrowly defeated the Columbus Crew to win the Disney Pro Soccer Classic on Saturday in the final pre-season action for both teams before the start of the 2013 season.

After playing a scoreless first half, midfielder Justin Mapp scored the lone goal off a volley in the 54th minute to lead the Impact to tournament victory.

Columbus made a push to level toward the end of the game when Ryan Finley was fouled at the edge of the box in the 90th minute.  However, Eddie Gaven’s ensuing free kick spun high and the Crew were defeated.

Montreal opens the season away at Seattle while Columbus heads to LA to face Chivas USA both on March 2.

Here are results from the rest of Saturday’s Disney Pro Soccer Classic action:

BIELER SCORES AS SPORTING KANSAS CITY DEFEAT TORONTO FC 1-0

Sporting Kansas City designated player Claudio Bieler scored his first goal of the preseason Saturday in a 1-0 win over Toronto FC during the finale of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic.

Kansas City was scheduled to face Philadelphia all parties involved decided the match-up should not take place since the two play each other in the season opener next week.

Bieler scored the eventual game winner in the 23rd minute following a pretty build up between Chance Myers and Soony Saad.

The game took on a slower style following the goal and Toronto never really looked like a threat to equalize.

Kansas City opens the season away at Philadelphia while Toronto head to Vancouver both on March 2.

D.C. UNITED FINISH STRONG WITH A 2-0 WIN OVER PHILADELPHIA

Dwayne De Rosario and Lionard Pajoy had the goals in a 2-0 D.C. United victory over the Union Saturday in yet another chippy contest, something this tournament has produced on multiple occasions.

De Rosario scored on a penalty kick in the 38th minute after Philadelphia goalkeeper Zac MacMath brought down Pajoy in the box.  The keeper was shown a red card before the referee reversed his decision to just a yellow card once he spoke with both coaches.

De Rosario would be shown a red card that would not be reversed in the 59th minute after it appeared like the Canadian headbutted a Union player.  A scuffle ensued following the challenge.

Pajoy clinched the win for D.C. in the 67th minute, finishing off a feed from trialist Marcos Sanchez.

D.C. head to Houston while Philadelphia hosts Sporting Kansas City both on March 2.

ORLANDO CITY WINS THE I-4 DERBY

Orlando City beat the Tampa Bay Rowdies, 2-0, on Saturday in a prelude to their two-leg preseason match-up in March.  This was the first time the two teams have ever faced each other despite being only an hour and a half apart.

The Lions struck quickly in the 1st minute of the game after midfielder Jamie Watson was tripped up in the box and awarded a penalty.  Watson then secured the early 1-0 lead from the spot.

Orlando City had the majority of the chances the rest of the way, and forward Dennis Chin finished the damage in the 75th minute, giving the Lions a 2-0 victory over their Sunshine State counterparts.

Comments

      • DeRo has been one of the most exciting players in MLS since 2001. I’m really surprised he never took his talents overseas. I hope he remains hungry the this season.

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