(Sports Network) - D.C. United won the U.S. Open Cup title on Wednesday at RFK Stadium as Fred scored the game-winner in the 50th minute of a 2-1 win over the Charleston Battery. D.C. won its second U.S. Open Cup title, denying the Batterys bid to become the first second division team to win since 1999. D.C. United last won the U.S. Open Cup in 1996 with a 3-0 victory over the Rochester Rhinos.

"Getting a chance to run around with a trophy in front of our fans, who deserve it more than anybody, is a great feeling," said D.C. coach Tom Soehn, who was a player for United when they won the Open Cup title in 1996.

United got on the board in the fourth minute, and it was veteran forward Jaime Moreno setting things up with a remarkable back heel that sent Santino Quaranta to the fringe of the penalty area.

Charlestons John Wilson met Quaranta with a hard tackle, sending the United midfielder tumbling, but the ball popped to the top of the penalty area where Luciano Emilio was able to curl his shot off the fingertips of Charlestons Dusty Hudock and into the top corner.

Despite the early letdown, Charleston pushed forward and quickly evened the score on a counter-attack in the 10th minute. Defender Nelson Akwari sent a long, diagonal ball to Chris Williams on the right side. He quickly dribbled into the area and cut inside before leaving the ball behind for Ian Fuller to drive home from 16 yards inside the right post.

In the second half, Fred provided D.C. United with the lead in the 50th minute. Clyde Simms played a hard ball that got Fred in behind the Battery backline on the right side. He calmly took a few touches as he drove in on goal before finishing past Hudock at the near post.

Dating back to 1914, the U.S. Open Cup is the oldest cup competition in United States soccer and is among the oldest in the world. Open to all affiliated amateur and professional teams in the United States, the annual U.S. Open Cup is a 95-year-old single-elimination tournament. In 1999, the U.S. Open Cup was renamed the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup to honor the long-time soccer supporter and pioneer.



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