D.C. United 4- FC Cincinnati 1
All season long Lucas Rodriguez as the perfect number two behind Wayne Rooney for D.C. United. On Thursday night he got to be the leading man. The Argentine scored twice in giving D.C. the 4-1 victory over FC Cincinnati on the road at Nippert Stadium.
While D.C.’s attack was exceptionally potent in the second half, in the first half FC Cincinnati looked to be the dominant side. Kendall Wasdon very nearly gave Cincy the early lead after his shot clanged against the bar. After surviving an early scare United took the lead just before halftime with Rodriguez hitting a belter in the 42nd minute.
In the second half Cincy got back into the match thanks to a Paul Arriola handball in the box. Emmanuel Ledesma knocked home the ensuing game-tying goal, his second of the season.
That goal, and the controversy surrounding it (replay seemed to show Arriola having his arm close to his body), galvanized United. It had been a long time coming. Coming into the match D.C. had won just once in their last nine matches and although they have managed six draws during that time, the club’s place at the top of the East was being threatened entering into a critical stretch of the season.
Just five minutes after conceding the lead United were back on top. Using their speed on the outside, D.C. pressed Cincy’s three back formation into defending multiple attackers. That in turn created space at the top of the box. In the 59th minute Arriola played a simple ball into Rodriguez who blasted his shot for his fourth of the season. Wayne Rooney (64′) and Arriola (73′) each added goals of their own midway through the half to put the match out of reach.
With the loss FC Cincinnati (5-14-2, 17 points) stays at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. They are still just eleven points separating them and the New England Revolution (7-8-6, 27 points) for the eighth spot in the East making Sunday’s encounter at Nippert (6PM, ESPN +) all the more important for the expansion side.
As for D.C. (9-5-8, 35 points) the win gives them a much-needed boost after winning just once in their last nine games. Their two game road swing continues on Sunday when they take on Atlanta United FC (4PM EST, ESPN).
On hand to cover the match was Prost Photographer Craig Hunter. You can check out his full gallery of FC Cincinnati photos on SmugMug and give him your thoughts on Twitter.
FC Cincinnati
DC United
