An Unexpected Win!

Gabriel PIrani picked up where he left off against New England on Wednesday, scoring one goal and assisting on another as DC United upset FC Cincinnati, 2-1, in Cincinnati last night (May 31) to end a busy May on a positive note.

DC started

Barraza in goal

Rowles, Bartlett, Herrera in defense

Schnegg, Enow, Peltola, Antley in midfield

Peglow, Murrell, Pirani in forward

Subs: Kijima for Peglow (halftime), Badji for Murrell (60th), Stroud for Pirani (60th), Servania for Peltola (60th), Zouhir for Enow (84th).

DC got off to a flying start. Antley was fouled (probably softly) just outside the penalty area near the right touchline before a minute had passed. The free kick went to the top of the box where an unmarked Pirani side-footed a volley into the upper left corner. 1-0 DC, less than 2 minutes played. DC pressed effectively and earned 2 more corner kicks in the 6th and 7th minutes.

Cincinnati responded in the 15th minute. Evander did some nice dribbling in the box and passed to Kevin Denkey for an easy finish to tie the game at 1-1.

DC regained the lead in the 19th minute. Pirani lofted a beautiful cross to the right post and Antley nodded home a header from point-blank range to put DC ahead again. It was Antley's first goal for any team in several years. Neither team scored for the rest of the half and it was 2-1 DC at halftime. DC had 10 shots (5 on goal) at the half to 4 and 2 for Cincinnati.

Cincinnati made 3 substitutions at halftime and their game improved in the second half. DC only had 1 shot and 1 corner for the rest of the game, but kept up the press and limited Cincinnati's chances. Kei Kamara just missed a header in the 57th minute, and Barraza had a nice save on Evander in the 82nd minute, but Cincinnati had only 3 other shots, and DC held on for the 2-1 victory. It was Cincinnnati's first home loss this year. A great result for DC.

Now it is June, and the schedule gets less congested. DC plays again this Saturday, June 7, at 730pm vs the Chicago Fire at Audi Field. It's an international weekend, so Peltola, Herrera, Rowles, Enow and Fletcher will be out.

The other two games this month are June 14 at Real Salt Lake and June 28 at home vs Nashville.