Photo Credit: D.C. United
To get out of the bottom a club has to start somewhere. For D.C. United (3-9-5, 14 points) that somewhere might have been Saturday night at Audi Field. In front a raucous, electric crowd in their home United kickstarted their stretch run with a 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids (4-11-5, 17 points).
Despite both sides needing points initial first half hour of the match was played at a conservative pace. The Colorado Rapids, who had traded for Kellyn Acosta in the midweek, were focused primarily on integrating their USMNT center-mid into coach Anthony Hudson methodical defense. Using Acosta down the left flank the Rapids attempted to create scoring chances against United right-back Joseph Mora. Their efforts did lead to a corner kick in the third minute where Acosta deftly hit in a chance for center-back Tomym Smith. But United goalkeeper beat him to it, punching away the dangerous ball.
As for D.C. coach Ben Olsen opted to bring in Russell Canouse for his first start of the season with aim of moving Acosta right to overload the Rapids defense. Canouse, who missed the early part of the season with a knee injury, nearly connected with fellow midfielder Zoltan Stieber in the 23rd minute. Canouse was succesful in getting past the Rapids defense but his shot fell right into the hands of goalkeeper Tim Howard.
After surviving a goal-scoring chance on end of the pitch, the Colorado attack looked to create shots of their own. Just two minutes after Canouse’s chance they were given a golden opportunity to take the lead when Edgar Castillo was fouled in the box by United midfielder Junior Moreno. Acosta lined up to take the kick for the Rapids and delivered a low effort that appeared to beat Ousted. However, he could not beat the post as his shot bounced away from the United goal.
D.C. would take the lead just nine minutes later. With Canouse earning the attention of the Rapids center-backs Rooney and Luciano Acosta were able to connect down the right flank. In the 34th minute Lucho made a diagonal pass out to Rooney. The former England international and current D.C. skipper broke past the defender and hit a low shot between the legs of Howard.
In the second half it appeared at first as if United might coast. With the Rapids offering little attacking opposition D.C. went to work on Colorado’s outside backs. Lucho, Yamil Asad, and Rooney combined on several quality attacking chances including three shots during the 63rd minute mark which saw two chances hit the woodwork. Howard nabbed the second and did a good job at keeping his side organized under consistent pressure.
Perhaps lulling D.C. into a false sense of security Colorado pounced late on the counter-attack. Substitute Jack McBean found Acosta with space deep inside United’s eighteen yard box. The USMNT midfielder deftly chipped his shot over Ousted in the 83rd minute to level the score at one.
D.C., sensing the need for three points in this match, continued to hammer the Rapids defense hoping for one more chance to get three points. In the 90th minute Jesus Segura hit a cross into the box from the right flank that would be headed into the back of the net by Rapids defender Niki Jackson.
With the loss the Colorado Rapids extended their winless run to five matches (0-3-2, 2 points). They return home next week to take on the Los Angeles Galaxy (August 4, 8 PM MT). As for D.C. United while the win doesn’t get them out of the bottom (they still trail Toronto FC by five points) it does move them closer to escaping the wooden spoon. They will head on the road on Saturday to take on the Montreal Impact (7pm EST).
D.C. United- David Ousted, Oniel Fisher, Kofi Opare, Steve Birnbaum, Joseph Mora, Junior Moreno (Chris Durkin 89′), Zoltan Stieber (Jesus Segura 82′), Luciano Acosta, Yamil Asad, Russell Canouse (Darren Mattocks 87′), and Wayne Rooney
Goal- Rooney (34′)
Colorado Rapids- Tim Howard, Axel Sjoberg, Kortne Ford (Niki Jackson 76′), Tommy Smith, Edgar Castillo, Danny Wilson, Kellyn Acosta, Johan Blomberg (Dillon Serna 63′), Jack Price, Giles Barnes (Jack McBean 63′), and Sam Nicholson
Yellow Cards- Wilson (66′),McBean (74′), Jackson (90+2′), Price (90+7′)
Goals- Acosta (83′) and Jackson (90′ o.g.)
ATTENDANCE: 18, 931
