Another Hard-Fought Draw

DC United used a solid defense, great goalkeeping, and a little luck to hold Orlando City SC to a 1-1 draw at a still-quiet Audi Field last night (September 13). The draw let DC escape the bottom of MLS's Eastern Conference.

DC's starting lineup and substitutions:

Forward: Benteke

Midfield: Peglow Peltola Hopkins (Zouhir, 80th) Servania (Stroud, 80th) Pirani(Rowles, 60th)

Defense: Schnegg (Enow, 80th) Bartlett McNaughton (Red card, 57th) Antley

Goal: Barraza

Orlando dominated play from the start, both in possession and in shots. DC played a solid, well-coordinated defense, as seems to be becoming the norm under new coach Rene Weiler. Concede most of the possession, defend with vigor, and occasionally press and counterattack.

DC scored first, against the run of play. In the 33rd minute, Antley and Peglow played a nice give and go on the right side of the box. Antley juked his defender near the endline and passed to Hopkins in the center, who did a half-turn and slid a shot into the right side of the goal to give DC a 1-0 lead. DC led at the half.

DC's defense continued to hold in the early part of the second half. However, In the 53rd minute, Orlando's Marco Pasalic had a shot well-saved by Barraza, but the rebound stayed in front of the goal. Orlando's Alexander Freeman just beat McNaughton to the ball and headed it home to tie the game. McNaughton's foot and Freeman's head collided, and McNaughton was sent off after a VAR review, which I thought was a little harsh. The game was now tied and DC was a man down. However, DC managed to hold off Orlando for the rest of the game to get the draw.

Orlando ended with 64% of the possession, and 25 shots total, 10 on goal. Barraza had a great night, making 9 saves, and the defense blocked many of the other shots. DC had 6 shots, 2 on goal.

DC still has one of the worst records in MLS this year, and the supporters section remained drumless and relatively quiet last night. They do remain unbeaten (1-3-0) under new coach Rene Weiler. Avoiding another Wooden Spoon will be a small victory if it can be done. Optimists will say better late than never, but some old-timers are sadly voting with their feet as they plan not to renew for next year, and I am sympathetic.

DC has 4 games left in the regular season. They play in Miami next Saturday (September 20, 730pm) and then host Philadelphia (September 27, 730pm) and Charlotte (October 4, 230pm) before finishing the season in Atlanta (October 18, 6pm).

(For those who are interested, DC beat Mexico's Club America, 3-1, in a club friendly at Audi Field on September 6. Peglow, new United player Caden Clark, and Pirani all scored for DC.)