Late Mancilla Braces Leads Toluca Past D.C. United

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Two late goals from Chilean international Hector Mancilla propelled Mexican side Toluca past D.C. United Wednesday night in Champions’ League play, 3-1. Chris Pontius scored the equalizer for United early in the second half, after Vladimir Marin gave Toluca the lead in the 5th minute of the game.

United, coming off of a loss to Marathon in the first round of Group B play, fielded several surprising starters, including Ely Allen in midfield, and Julius James and David Habarugira in defense. Toluca came into the match sitting second in the table, having defeated San Juan Jabloteh in their first match of group play.  

First Half  

United started the match by immediately applying pressure on Toluca all over the field, sensing the urgency in getting all three points at home after a defeat in their first match. Forwards Jaime Moreno and Chris Pontius began pressuring the ball deep in the Toluca half, but were unable to create an immediate chance.  

All it took for Toluca to score from there was one crisp pass into the box. Captain Antonio Matias sent an inviting ball into the United box, and a spell of possession from the Mexican side. United keeper Josh Wicks came out to claim the ball, but he was unable to do so, and the ball bounced off of defender David Habarugira, and straight into the path of Vladimir Marin. With Wicks out of his goal, Marin easily placed the ball into the goal, giving Toluca a 1-0 lead in the 5th minute.  

From there on out, it was all Toluca for the rest of the half. United lacked any quality possession, as Toluca were free to roam about the field, and hold onto the ball for extended periods of the first half.  

Toluca had their chances to extend their lead as well. Striker Hector Mancilla had a chance after a nifty passing move from Toluca, but his shot from outside the box was off target. After receiving a pass from Matias, Marin had an opportunity from outside the box, but his left footed shot was saved by Wicks.  

In the 33rd minute, a well-worked Toluca corner nearly saw them double their advantage. Marin took the corner short to Matias, at the corner of the box. Matias then sent an inviting cross to the back post for Edgar Duenas, but the defender put his header just wide of the post, when Wicks would have struggled to make a save.  

With the game seemingly slipping from their reach, United coach Tom Soehn decided to go with a change in the first half, as he brought on Fred in place of an ineffective Ely Allen on the left wing. However, while the change helped stem the tide of Toluca going forward, United still failed to create any dangerous opportunities, and went into halftime down by a goal.  

Second Half  

Santino Quaranta was brought in at the start of the second half, as he replaced Moreno, as United looked to inject a bit more pace in the side. The substitution paid off immediately. Midfielder Andrew Jacobson sent in a cross looking for Pontius from the right, but the ball bounced through the box. Quaranta was the first to the ball on the other side of the box, and sent a terrific cross in for Pontius, who beat two defenders, and planted his header past the flatfooted Hernan Cristante in goal, in the 47th minute.  

It was just the start the D.C. needed, and with the goal, United began to play with more inspiration. However, despite the newfound spirit within the side, they were unable to make the most of their momentum, and lacked any chances to take the lead.  

In the 53rd minute, United nearly gifted Toluca a goal, as a bad turnover in their own half gave possession to Isaac Brizuela. With the ball, he charged in towards the goal, before releasing a powerful left footed shot from outside the box. Wicks was equal to the attempt, though, and made a diving stop, while holding on to the shot to prevent any more danger.  

The tempo of the match then began to slow, as neither side seemed bothered or capable of keeping up the pace that had already been set throughout the match. Chances from both sides began to become limited, as neither team seemed interested in conceding the next goal.  

From a fantastic through ball in the 67th minute, United were able to get in behind the Toluca defense, but Fred failed to capitalize on a golden opportunity to take the lead. Midfielder Devon McTavish sent a delicious pass behind the Toluca defense, which found Fred at the top of the box. Fred opted for a one-time shot, but failed to get the effort on target.  

Momentum then began to switch back in Toluca’s favor, and in the 79th minute, they took the lead yet again. Mancilla picked up a pass from Matias before working his way into the box. He turned United defender Marc Burch not once, but twice, before slotting a shot past Wicks at the far post, for the 2-1 lead.  

Moments later, Toluca nearly scored again. A long ball forward from the defense troubled United defender Avery John, who failed to deal with the ball properly. Substitute Carlos Esquivel then got the ball around Wicks at the top of the box, but just as Esquivel went for the shot, Julius James recovered in time to knock the ball out for a corner. From the resulting corner, Nestor Calderon had a shot from outside the box, but Wicks pushed the stinging shot over the bar for another corner.  
All three points were then wrapped up for Toluca in the 85th minute, as Mancilla added his second goal of the game. A long ball was played down the left hand flank, as United were pushed up looking for an equalizer. Calderon was the first to the ball at the side of the box, and sent a low cross in. James deflected the ball in between John and Wicks, and it fell to Mancilla, who was able to tap it in from three yards out.  

United failed to create any chances to score a second in the dying stages of the game, despite a series of opportunities from free kick situations. Toluca also failed to capitalize on any of their counter attacks, and the game ended 3-1, as Toluca moved to top of Group B, with United condemned to staying bottom of the group.

Steven Streff, Goal.com. 

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