Pompey Thrashed In Washington

Last updated : 25 July 2010 By Jim Bonner
Pompey's pre-season tour of the USA and Canada ended with a 4-0 thumping by DC United, courtesy of a hat-trick by Danny Allsopp and a goal from Pablo Hernandez.

Preparations for the game couldn't have been any worse, with Pompey's flight from Chicago to Washington cancelled due to a lightning storm. This meant Steve Cotterill's men had to endure a long coach journey across the country, with the players getting only four hours sleep and no training.

The bag containing Pompey's kit also went missing, meaning that the Portsmouth players had to play in DC United's away kit for the game in a sweltering 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 degrees Centigrade).

It's really no surprise that a Pompey side that were weakened by injury lost to a team that are already 17 games into their season, even if they are bottom of their league.

Allsopp's first goal came from a header from Branko Boskovic's cross, the second was a simple tap in and the hat-trick was completed when a through ball cut the Pompey defence open, allowing the former Hull and Notts County player to slot past Ashdown.

Pablo Hernandez tapped in a goal of his own in between Allsopp's second and third, whilst Hayden Mullins was sent off along with Santino Quaranta for an off-the-ball incident whilst the hosts went down to nine men in the final minute when Julius James was sent off for violent conduct against Michael Brown of all people.

Pompey did have a few chances with David Nugent and Tommy Smith guilty of missing the target but given the situation, a 4-0 defeat came as no surprise and we were lucky it wasn't more.

What a resounding success this American tour has been....