DC United returned home after two road wins and battled to a 1-1 draw with New York CIty FC at Audi Field last Saturday (September 14).
DC started Bono in goal; Santos, McVey, Bartlett and Herrera in defense (Schnegg is out injured, possibly for the rest of the season); Pirani, Enow, Rodriguez and Dajome in midfield; and Benteke and Stroud at forward (although Stroud seemed fluid and spent much time in midfield). Klich was out with yellow card accumulations.
It was an entertaining game. NYCFC got a penalty in the 30th minute when Santos knocked over NYCFC's Kevin O'Toole at the top of the 6 yard box. Santiago Rodriguez converted and put the visitors up, 1-0. DC thought they had equalized in the 35th minute when Pirani scored off a free kick rebound, but VAR overruled the goal, saying that McVey (who set a nice pick to free Pirani) was offside in the buildup. It seemed harsh, but in the 45th minute NYCFC's Alonso Martinez was ruled offside after putting the ball in the net, and that was a very close call as well that could easily have gone the other way. NYCFC led 1-0 at the half.
Ted KDP replaced Dajome to start the second half. He was fouled in the box in the 64th minute, and Benteke converted the penalty to even the match at 1-1. Both teams had good chances, but that's how the game ended. Could have been better, could have been worse. Draws are like that.
Other subs for DC: Badji and Peltola for Stroud and Rodriguez respectively in the 76th minute, and Canouse and Murrell for Enow and Pirani respectively in the 84th minute.
NYCFC dominated possession (62% for the game) but DC had more shots (11 to 9), shots on goal (7 to 3), and corner kicks (5 to 3).
DC remains in 9th place in the Eastern Conference (the last playoff spot) with 5 games to go. However, there are 5 teams within 4 points, and all but one of them have a game in hand. We do control our own destiny at this point.
DC's next game is this coming Sunday (September 22) on the road against Philadelphia, who is one of those teams breathing down our neck. It will be a huge game. The Screaming Eagles are sending a bus up to the game; it's a great road trip opportunity. You can buy tickets at:
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