Mackay gone, Messi's Miami wins

Mackay (left) out as DC's GM, Sogut (right) in as "Managing Director of Soccer Operations"

It was a dark and stormy night (September 20, to be exact) at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. DC United lost to Inter Miami, 3-2, ending Rene Weiler's unbeaten run as new coach. DC played hard and came close but ultimately came up short as Miami rode Lionel Messi's unquestioned brilliance to the win.

Earlier in the week, DC ousted General Manager Ally Mackay and hired Erkut Sogut as Managing Director (see photos above). Sogut, of Turkish ancestry, was born and grew up in Germany (Hannover, to be specific) and has a PhD in Sports Law.

The DC-Miami game was entertaining and competitive. DC's starting lineup and substitutions:

Forward: Peglow (Murrell, 89th) , Benteke, Herrera

Midfield: Hopkins (Zouhir, 72nd), Servania (Enow, 72nd ), Pirani (Kijima, 89th)

Defense: Schnegg (Caden Clark, 58th) Rowles Bartlett Antley

Goal: Barraza

DC played its usual Weiler-era defense, ceding lots of possession but staying hard to break down. Servania hit a routine shot to Miami goalie Oscar Ustari in the 24th minute, who almost committed a howler on the save, letting it get through him. Fortunately for him, the ball went just wide of the goal. In his defense, the ground was quite wet at that time. Miami broke through in the 33rd minute, as Messi hit a great throughball to Tadeo Allende, who finished easily past Barraza. It was 1-0 at the half.

DC worked a nice sequence on the right side in the 52nd minute, culminating in a cross from Servania that Benteke headed in to tie the game at 1-1. Caden Clark made his DC MLS debut in the 58th minute, coming on for Schnegg.

Barraza made several saves to keep the game tied, but in the 66th minute Jordi Alba found Messi in the box, and he worked his magic to score and put Miami up 2-1. Shortly after, Barraza came out to challenge Mateo Silvetti in the box and was called for a penalty. Fortunately for DC, Silvetti put the penalty off the crossbar to keep the score 2-1.

DC looked like they would tie the game in the 77th minute when Antley was fouled by Baltasar Rodriguez just inside the penalty box (in my opinion). The referee ruled a free kick just outside the box, but VAR requested that he review. In the vast majority of these cases, a penalty is awarded, but the referee looked long and hard and stuck to his original decision.

Messi scored again in the 85th minute, with a gem from just outside the box into a postage-stamp area in the top left corner. DC never gave up, and Murrell got a goal on an assist from Benteke in the 97th minute, but the game ended 3-2 Miami.

DC returns home this Saturday, September 27, at 730pm against the Philadelphia Union at Audi Field. There are only 3 games left in the regular season: Philly, Charlotte at home on October 4 (an afternoon game, starting at 230pm) and away to Atlanta on October 18. DC remains a point ahead of Montreal and 4 ahead of the LA Galaxy (who have a game in hand) in their attempt to avoid another Wooden Spoon.