DC United 0-LAFC 4
In a clash between one of the best teams in the East versus one of the best teams in the West, DC United’s undefeated start to the season came to a screeching halt with a 4-0 loss to LAFC in our nation’s capital this afternoon.
LAFC put together a dominating first half performance that DC United could not recover from, especially after Wayne Rooney’s 53 minute red card handicapped United’s chances for a comeback in the second half.
With picture perfect weather for the fixture, things got started early as Los Angeles was able to draw an early penalty in the ninth minute from a Leonard Jara handball, as the Argentinian tried to block LA’s Jordan Harvey’s shot on goal. Carlos Vela took the penalty shot but Bill Hamid was able to make an excellent diving save to deny the Mexican International, rousing the Audi field faithful into a frenzy.
United’s joy did not last for long as Vela would not be denied on the score sheet. In the 14th minute, Los Angeles broke through. Following an interception at midfield, Vela made a run to the top of the United box, cut onto his left foot and lasered a goal past Hamid into the top left corner of the net. It was Vela’s MLS-leading seventh goal of the season, continuing a terrific start to his season.
Twelve minutes later, LAFC struck again, as United continued to make mental mistakes that the Black and Gold were able to pounce on. Vela once again putting DC’s defenders on their back foot as he zoomed past defenders, crossing the ball perfectly into the box for Uruguayan forward Diego Rossi to put the ball in the bottom right corner, to take the lead to 2-0.
This would not be the last time United’s defense would hear from Rossi. Five minutes after their previous goal, LAFC once again pounced on an errant pass from United’s Paul Arriola to defender Russell Canouse. Los Angeles midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye was able to supply Rossi in the box. Rossi hit a pitch perfect curling shot past Hamid to put LA three goals up going into halftime.
After a demoralizing first half, United hope to get back into the match in the second but those hopes were quickly dashed after Rooney picked up red card following a heavy tackle on Rossi seven minutes after the half began. Initially deemed just a yellow card, the referees went to VAR and re-assessed the Englishman with a red, putting United down a man for the rest of the match.
While United diligently tried to put something together a man down, the odds were stacked against them and the Black and Red began to tire. Los Angeles was able to put some punctuation on the one sided match with a 76th minute goal from Rossi, following a steady build-up against a shorthanded United side, giving the Uruguayan forward the hat trick.
DC United will quickly try to wash away the stink of this match and hope to quickly regain their momentum, as they have a midweek fixture against Montreal to contend with on Tuesday, likely without Rooney (barring an appeal). LAFC will hope to continue their white hot start next week at home against FC Cincinnati.
