Sunday night was a night to remember at Audi Field as D.C. United (5-9-6) hosted Orlando City (7-15-2), for the MLS regular season. The game started even, Orlando trying to hold United’s trio of Wayne Rooney, Luciano Acosta, and Yamil Asad, and did so to great effect for the first 45 minutes. But just before the half, Acosta found the goal for his second goal of the season and first of his three on the night.
D.C. United happiness was short-lived, though. In the 50th minute, Steven Birnbaum deflected the ball and David Ousted to put the ball into his net levelling the score at D.C United 1 – Orlando City 1.
And then Orlando midfielder Cristian Higuita was shown a red card after its elbow appeared to have found Yamil Asad’s face. With Orlando down a man, the Black-and-Red team had everything to win this match, and Acosta showed that 14 minutes later by scoring yet again.
It seemed that the Florida team would not get their second win in three months here in D.C. until in the 71st minuted Dom Dwyer broke United’s offside trap and chipped over Ousted and equalized the game once again.
In the 89th minute, a corner kick happens. Ousted left D.C’s goal open to pressure Orlando’s defense. D.C. misses another goal opportunity, Orlando recovered the ball, and Will Johnson rushes back for an excellent opportunity to send D.C. United to a home defeat. They just didn’t count Wayne Rooney and a flawless tackle. Rooney serves the ball to 5-foot-3 Acosta, score with a hat trick, his first in MLS.
D.C. United 3 – Orlando City 2.
(source Major Soccer League)
Coach Ben Olsen commented on Rooney efforts, “He made a hell of a play, and it showed what he’s about. I think we’ll see that more and more from him here.”
For today
Last Sunday’s game was great and lifted the team spirits, even more. It was a home win, and a spectacular one, but Portland is coming from 3 months and one win streak, it is coming from its first loss after a 15 game unbeaten streak. They also have the upper hand when it comes to all-time wins against the Black and Red with four wins, 2 losses and 2 draws, including a 4-0 win last year at Providence Park.
Last Sunday’s win moved D.C. closer to leaving the basement, but they still have a lot of work to do.
Portland (10-4-7) on the other hand just suffered its first defeat since April 8, to its Cascadian rival Vancouver, 2-1, at Providence Park Saturday night.
Right on the first half, the Timbers found themselves with a two-goal problem caused by Kei Kamara in the 14th minute and Cristian Techera two minutes from halftime. The chance for an equalizer came with Diego Valeri on the penalty spot in the 71st minute, nothing else happened after that.
Possible Starting 11 for D.C. (4-1-4-1, right to left)
GK: Bill Hamid — Oniel Fisher, Kofi Opare, Steve Birnbaum, Joseph Mora; Russell Canouse; Zoltan Stieber, Paul Arriola, Luciano Acosta, Yamil Asad; Wayne Rooney
Possible Starting 11 for Portland (4-4-2, right to left)
GK: Jeff Attinella; Alvas Powell, Larrys Mabiala, Julio Cascante, Zarek Valentin; Diego Chara, David Guzman, Sebastian Blanco, Diego Valeri; Dairon Asprilla, Samuel Armenteros.
Officials
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Assistant Referees: CJ Morgante, Logan Brown
4th Official: Fotis Bazakos
VAR: Mark Geiger
D.C. United vs. Portland Timbers
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 25
Audi Field — Washington, D.C.
August 15 – 8 pm ET
You can watch the game live on TVAS and ESPN+
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