Madrid, D.C. United put on a show

The scoreboard didn't lie.

It's just that saying it was a tie didn't tell the entire truth about Wednesday night's exhibition match at Qwest Field.

The outcome was much more definitive than the 1-1 result indicated, both for D.C. United and for the 66,830 fans at the stadium.

"It's a great result for all of us," said D.C. United coach Peter Nowak. "Our league. Our players in the locker room."

And the reaction of the sell-out crowd certainly said so. They were lined up before the gates opened, they stayed after the match finished and in between they saw one heck of an entertaining match.

"It must have been a nice game for the fans," said United defender Ben Olsen. "Because they're here to see the stars, but they're also here to see good soccer."

They saw just that.

Two goals were scored 3 minutes apart in the first half, Real Madrid scoring first in the 22nd minute and D.C. United tying the score in the 25th.

There were near misses. A save by D.C. United goalkeeper Troy Perkins on a free kick from Roberto Carlos in the 63rd minute and then two near-misses off rebounds. A shot by Cicinho in the final minute of the game that was just wide left, hitting the outside of the post.

For 45 minutes, D.C. United of Major League Soccer matched European powerhouse Real Madrid goal for goal and shot for shot. In the second half, D.C. United held on, keeping Real Madrid scoreless despite being outshot 5-1.

But this was more showcase than showdown. A sporting event that was also a spectacle as one of the richest, most glamorous and renowned soccer teams was in town for a one-night engagement.

Francisco Jerez stood outside the northwest corner of Qwest Field, his Spanish flag draped across his shoulders like a cape.

He grew up in Spain and cheered Real Madrid before moving to the United States. It's the favorite team of his 18-year-old son Jeremy, who had never seen them in person. At least not until Wednesday night, when they flew in from Denver.

"It's a connection with your home, a connection with the team you grew up watching," Francisco said.

Their trip spanned two days, cost $1,500 and it turned Seattle into a world-class soccer destination for at least one night.

Flash bulbs were popping even before the kickoff. This was a scrapbook moment.

Steven Graham, an aerospace engineer in Seattle, headed straight to Qwest Field after work. He entered the stadium with a Real Madrid jersey pulled over his long-sleeved, button-down shirt that was still tucked into his slacks. He lived in Madrid from 1996 to 2000 and attended several of the team's games.

"It's something I wasn't going to miss," Graham said of Wednesday night's game.

One poster advocated Real Madrid star David Beckham for president. Another cheering section spelled out their feelings just as plainly. FC Milan, an under-16 youth-soccer team from Auburn, had a group of 25 girls seated in the first row of the stands at the northwest corner. Sixteen of the girls had a letter painted on their stomachs, spelling "We love you Beckham."

The girls arrived at 3 p.m. and were in the stands as soon as it opened, and when Beckham attempted a corner kick from just in front of their section in the first half, the screeches were audible.

Not long after that, Antonio Cassano gave Real Madrid a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 22nd minute.

D.C. United's comeback didn't take long.

"We were trying to pull a 'Rocky IV' because it seemed early they were all over [cheering] Real Madrid," Olsen said.

Alecko Eskandarian tied the score for D.C. United in the 25th minute on a goal set up perfectly by Jaime Moreno.

"Not everyone in the world can say they've scored against Real Madrid," Eskandarian said. "One of the most special things in my life."

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com

Real Madrid	1 0 — 1
D.C. United	1 0 — 1

First half — 1, Real Madrid: Cassano (DaSilva), 22; D.C. United: Eskandarian (Moreno), 25. Second half — No scoring. Saves — Real Madrid 1, D.C United 3. Shots — Real Madrid 10, D.C. United 5. Fouls — Real Madrid 14, D.C. United 15. Cautions — Real Madrid: De La Red 21, Cassano 38; D.C. United: Carroll, 31, Gros, 64. A — 66,830