D.C. United 2- Philadelphia Union 1
WASHINGTON, DC-Goals. And all D.C. United needed was goals.
It is amazing what happens when one breaks a scoring drought. The net seems bigger, opportunities appear to be more bountiful, and there is just an air optimism. Although goals do not always bring wins on Saturday night it seemed to be the case for D.C. United at RFK Stadium. Thanks to some early magic from Jose Guillermo Ortiz and Luciano Acosta United earned their first win of their 2017 campaign, downing the Philadelphia Union 2-0.
With Patrick Mullins out due to a hamstring injury, United coach Ben Olsen opted to continue with the 4-5-1 this time using Ortiz up top. That slight change in speed and tempo worked well in the first half with United using him to push the Union defense inward. They nearly scored off of this tactic in the 16th minute when Acosta laid a low curling cross into the box for Nick De Leon. Union goalkeeper Andre Blake made the initial save and was assisted by his defense in repelling a rebound opportunity by Acosta just seconds later.
But United would have their first goal of the season just two minutes later when Ortiz would hit a low driving effort off a Union defender and into the back of the net. Credit to Patrick Nyarko for picking up on a defensive miscue between Blake and Fabinho and for the pass into Ortiz. The goal was Ortiz’s first of the season.
Philadelphia would have their chance to equalize. In the 24th minute Union midfielder Haris Medunjanin caught the D.C. defense napping and hammered a shot from just beyond the eighteen yard box. It appeared that his chance was destined for the back of the net. But as has happened so many times during his career in the nation’s capital Bill Hamid would prevent the equalizer from reaching his target. His diving effort stymied Philadelphia’s chance and gave the D.C. defense
Despite having the goal advantage United were not done with their attacking efforts. A chip from Ortiz into the Union box would hit center-back Richie Marquez on the arm producing a penalty kick opportunity for the home side. Acosta would take the ensuing penalty and hit a low effort past Blake to give the home side the 2-0 advantage. The goal was Acosta’s first of the season.
In the second half Curtin made a key substitution in bringing in C.J. Sapong on the attack. That move paid immediate dividends for the Union, giving them a defensive mismatch against D.C. Using his size and speed. With Sapong attacking from the left United had to double mark him which meant that the Union could attack from the right. A long distance shot by Bedoya from the right flank forced Hamid to make the sprawling save in the 71st minute. Although the initial shot was cleared Sapong scooped up the rebound and knocked his chance into the back of the net. The goal was Sapong’s third in as many matches.
Philadelphia very nearly had the equalizer late when Sapong had anther goal-scoring opportunity inside United’s box. Although he was able to get his shot on target Hamid would make the save to preserve the lead. Hamid would make seven saves on the evening and at times was United’s best defender.
D.C. will look to continue their winning ways next week when they host NYCFC (4PM EST). As for Philadelphia their quest for their first win continues with a date next Saturday against the Portland Timbers at PPL Park (7pm EST).
D.C. United- Bill Hamid, Nick De Leon, Bobby Boswell, Steve Birnbaum, Luciano Acosta (Jared Jeffrey 89′) , Marcelo Sarvas , Ian Harkes, Patrick Nyarko Lloyd Sam (Sean Franklin 80′), and Jose Guillermo Ortiz (Lamar Neagle 70′)
Goals- Ortiz (18′) and Acosta (27′)
Yellow Card- Marcelo (66′)
Philadelphia Union- Andre Blake, Keegan Rosenberry, Oguchi Onyewu, Richie Marquez (Jack Elliott 45′), Fabinho, Derrick Jones, Alejandro Bedoya, Haris Medunjanin, Ilsinho (Fabian Herbers 46′), Chris Pontius, and Jay Simpson (CJ Sapong 59′)
Goal-Sapong (71′)
Yellow Cards-Ilsinho (57′) and Jones (61′)
DC United
Philadelphia Union
