USL PRO Feature
Monday, April 14, 2014
For the second consecutive week, D.C. United goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra was called upon to replace regular starter Bill Hamid, sidelined by injury.
For a second consecutive week, the 2013 USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year for the Richmond Kickers produced a strong performance as United recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since October, 2012 with a 1-0 win against rival the New York Red Bulls.
That Dykstra stepped up to the mark shouldn’t come as much surprise to those who have followed him in USL PRO. After helping the Charleston Battery claim the 2012 championship, Dykstra was sent on loan to the Kickers last season as part of the partnership between the clubs and proceeded to record a league-leading 0.863 goals-against average and 10 shutouts.
Dykstra made four saves, including a big save on a close-range effort from Roy Miller, and also got a little bit of good fortune as Peguy Luyindula’s shot came back off the crossbar. The presence of VCU’s pep band, which stood next to the Barra Brava throughout the game, may have been a good-luck charm for the former Ram, who was unaware that they would be on hand prior to the game.
“I came out to the field and thought, ‘That sounds really familiar’,” Dykstra told the Washington Post. “I had no idea they would be here. I had to get a little closer to see all of the VCU shirts.”
Whatever the source of United’s breaks, the victory was a sweet one as it claimed victory in the first game of the battle for the Atlantic Cup, and put D.C. in a positive position ahead of its trip to Columbus next weekend.
HIGHLIGHTS