D.C. United Blanks Miami in Opener

Two-time defending champion Washington D.C. United, despite playing a man short for more than an hour, shut out the expansion Miami Fusion, 2-0, Sunday in Major League Soccer’s season opener.

The game, which kicked off the league’s third season, attracted a stadium-record crowd of 20,450 to Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. More than 3,000 fans had to be turned away.

United, which defeated the Colorado Rapids in last year’s championship game, lost Bolivian forward Jaime Moreno, the 1997 league scoring champion, in the 28th minute when he was red-carded for a retaliatory foul on Fusion defender Cle Kooiman.

D.C. was leading, 1-0, at the time on a goal by midfielder Richie Williams in the 16th minute. Williams, lurking in the penalty area, took a centering pass from midfielder Tony Sanneh in the right corner and beat Miami goalkeeper Jeff Cassar from about 14 yards.

Sanneh scored the second in the 36th minute, firing in a seven-yard rebound after Marco Etcheverry’s free kick had struck the post.

“It was a good game for us after the first 30 minutes,” said D.C. United Coach Bruce Arena. “The players showed they are ready to do anything to defend the league championship.”

The Fusion, sparked by Colombian national team captain Carlos Valderrama, had control early but could not convert its chances despite four excellent scoring opportunities for forward Dan Stebbins. Valderrama played with a brace to protect his broken right hand.

Stebbins had shots stopped by D.C. keeper Scott Garlick in the third, 24th and 33rd minutes.

“I score on one of those and it’s a different game,” Stebbins said.

Said Fusion Coach Carlos “Cacho” Cordoba: “We have a long way to go, but I am optimistic. We played against the champions and they proved why.”

The rest of the MLS teams open on Saturday when five games are scheduled, including the Galaxy against the San Jose Clash at the Rose Bowl.

Miami and the Chicago Fire became the first new teams in the league, bringing it up to 12 teams.