But the arms are getting tired. Another. Draw.
DC and Atlanta United played to a 1-1 draw last night (Wednesday September 20) at Audi Field. DC gave up a goal in the 14th minute when Atlanta's Tyler Wolff got away with a push on Chris Durkin in DC's area and then crossed to a wide-open Saba Lobjanidze in front of the goal. It ended long shutout streaks for both DC and goalie Alex Bono; Bono had not allowed a goal in his first 4 games this season, including the last three.
DC had lots and lots of shots (19 in all) but couldn't find the net until the 80th minute when Gabriel Pirani received a nice pass from Matheusz Klich and scored from just inside the box, sliding a low shot past Atlanta's ageless goalie Brad Guzan. DC also was awarded a penalty in the second half but it was reversed on a dodgy offside call.
DC remains in 9th place in the Eastern Conference. Playoff competitors Montreal and Charlotte also drew, thanks to stoppage time penalties by their opponents (Cincinnati and Philadelphia). The Chicago Fire lost, dropping them 3 points behind DC. NYCFC won to pull within two points, and Miami (with two games in hand) beat last place Toronto 4-0 to pull within 5 points. However, Lionel Messi was subbed off late in the first half with a leg issue. Of course, Miami got more than just Messi this summer; they also got Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and several others. MLS can be so creative with "fairness" between teams.
Continued draws will probably leave us out of the playoffs. We host the Red Bulls on Saturday (September 23), then two road games against Vancouver (September 30) and Austin (October 4), and the season finale vs NYCFC at home on October 7.
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