Great Past, Grim Present

DC United finished two winless months with a 4-2 loss to Austin last night (July 26) at Audi Field. A scoreless draw to Atlanta on July 5 was the only interruption to 8 losses (7 in the league and 1 in the US Open Cup) since DC's last win at Cincinnati on May 31.

It was "Legacy Night" at Audi, and old legends were in attendance. Jaime Moreno and Luciano Emilio gave a Q&A under the East Stand before the game, and they were joined by Marco Etcheverry and Steve Birnbaum to be honored at halftime. There were highlights of DC's 4 MLS Cups and other triumphs shown on the screen as well. It definitely jogged some pleasant memories. (If you have 18 minutes to spare and want to hear Etcheverry describe some of our glory days, check out here. )

Then there was the much less pleasant game against Austin.

DC started

Barraza in goal

Schnegg, Rowles, Bartlett and Dodson in defense (Herrera was serving a red card suspension)

Peglow, Servania, Pirani, Peltola and Leal in midfield

Benteke at forward.

Subs: Enow for Servania (halftime), Hopkins for Peltola (66th), Stroud for Leal (66th), Kijima for Peglow (87th), Antley for Schnegg (87th).

Kevin Flanagan remained as interim head coach, as Rene Weiler's work visa has not yet come through.

Austin had scored just 17 goals in 22 games in the league prior to the DC game, so there was hope for keeping their offense in check. It did not work out that way. Former DC player Brendan Hines-Ike sent a long through-ball through the DC midfield and central defense straight to Myrto Uzuni in the 22nd minute. Uzuni took one touch and scored easily from near the penalty spot. in the 45th minute, Owen Wolff outjumped Leal to score on a header from the left side. It was 2-0 Austin at the half. DC had just 35% of the possession and only 3 shots, none of them on target.

The second half started better, as Pirani fed Peglow in the box and he scored in the 48th minute. However, DC left Osman Bukari wide open on the right side of goal in the 60th minute, and he made it 3-1. Two minutes later, it looked like Pirani had pulled one back, but Benteke was found to be offside in the buildup and the goal was chalked off.

DC played hard the rest of the half, but Austin put it out of reach when Robert Taylor caromed the ball in off the right post in the 3rd minute of stoppage time. Two minutes later, Benteke was pulled down in the box and converted the penalty, making the final score 4-2.

The supporters section chanted "Sell the team!" (aimed at DC owner Jason Levien) after each of Austin's last 3 goals. It was a grim contrast with the legacy videos shown earlier in the evening.

DC plays a friendly against the Ethiopian national team next Saturday, August 2, at 5pm (note the early start) at Audi Field. Then they hit the road again, playing in New England on August 9 and Montreal on August 16. DC returns home to play Miami on August 23.