KANSAS CITY, Kan. — D.C. United began a very long Friday at a downtown Chicago hotel, uncertain whether it would ever reach this storm-battered destination for an MLS match the same night.
The road-weary soccer gang did arrive in time, saved by a hastily arranged charter. But after kickoff against Sporting Kansas City was pushed back 2½ hours in an effort to avoid additional weather problems, heavy rain and lightning descended on Children’s Mercy Park as the first half ended.
Following an hour-long delay, United claimed a big prize for its travel troubles. Less than a minute into his MLS debut, Alhaji Kamara scored in the dying moments for a 1-0 victory.