D.C. United are back at it for their third game in a week, facing the Colorado Rapids at Audi Field following a disappointing midweek showing against the New York Red Bulls. We were feeling confident going into Wednesday’s game and were solidly proven wrong, but this time we at least have the advantage of the Rapids also being...not very good. Yay mediocrity! Donald Wine II The Rapids are terrible. We’re not playing well. But the Rapids are terrible. That’s why we’re going to win, 2-1. Asad gets one from Rooney, and then Rooney finally gets his first. Adam Taylor Los Capitalinos bounce back from the—underwhelming isn’t really strong enough—performance against Jersey and jump out to an early lead against the Rapids. Rooney gets the start against a team that plays like Vancouver, only more so, and the AAAS midfield run rampant. Yamil Asad scores adds to his team lead in goals early to set the tone, but Rooney is the star, setting up that opener and scoring one of his own (assisted by Lucho Acosta) before halftime. He completes the brace just after the half, and Colorado just do their Colorado thing. 3-0 good guys as David Ousted gets his first clean sheet in Black-and-Red (or blue, or whatever color he wears as a GK. You get my meaning, OK? ). Ben Bromley The only saving grace is that the Colorado Rapids are not very good either, so D.C. United has a chance to perform like they did against the Vancouver Whitecaps and not like they did against the Red Bulls or Atlanta. This team needs to build towards a successful end to the season, playoffs or not, and that starts with winning games like this. 2-1 to the good guys, with Wayne Rooney opening his account past Tim Howard to win the game. Leanne Elston OK honestly we can’t not win this game, because it would just be embarrassing. Thus, we will 2-0 with goals from Asad and Rooney. Yes, I predicted these goalscorers for the last game. IT’S GONNA HAPPEN FOR REAL THIS TIME. Ryan Keefer There is a teeny bit of uncertainty here, in that it’s hard to predict just what new Rapids acquisition Kellyn Acosta brings to the fold. Nevertheless, D.C. hosts the Rapids, goes to Montreal, and hosts Orlando over their next three games. And the Rapids’ points per game is actually less than D.C., go figure! Wayne Rooney and Zoltan Stieber contribute goals, and Acosta will impress and score in his debut for the enemy (because remember, D.C.’s defense is still bad) as D.C. picks things up right in a 2-1 win. BlasianSays And the Colorado Rapids in July I’ve seen their shots sail through the distant sky The songs sung by their fans are softer than a lullaby Five points in July, Colorado. Five points in July. 2-0 United. Jason Anderson We’ve seen in the last 3 games where United is right now: able to beat up on a mediocre foe at home, not able to hang with MLS’s actual good teams. Well, here’s a plus: Colorado is worse than mediocre! Yamil Asad makes up for his first off-night in front of goal by putting D.C. up very early, and the Rapids show no ability to mount a comeback. Wayne Rooney shows us what he can do against a team that sits deep (a la Vancouver), and eventually gets his first DCU goal on an assist from Luciano Acosta. 2-0 United in possibly the easiest game of the year. Do you think the Black-and-Red get back on track in this game, or do you see foresee trouble? Share your prediction in the comments, but stop by today’s silly poll first.<doc-sep>The Colorado Rapids went with the 4-4-2 diamond formation that seemed to work last weekend against Real Salt Lake, but with Giles Barnes and Sam Nicholson starting up top, it’s very obvious that the Rapids are running out of options for strikers. It seemed as though DC United spent a lot of time in the Rapids’ half of pitch in the first half of the game, but the stats showed it was almost an even split. That being said, the Rapids came out with a high press and did a good job of pressing DCU to the outside, which allowed very few real opportunities for the DC side. The first real scare came in the 23rd minute when they were able to get a cross in the box, but Tim Howard was there to grab the ball as it popped up. Colorado was getting some good crosses in, but the DC defense intercepted and cleared out most balls until the 25th minute when Edgar Castillo went down in the box. Based on the replay, it looked like a bit of a dive, but the referee was sure about it and gave the ‘Pids the penalty without video review. Kellyn Acosta lined up, hit the post, and DC got the rebound. DC had a very dangerous opportunity just before 30 minutes when Luciano Acosta crossed the ball through the box, past Tim Howard, and it rolled dangerously near the line. Tommy Smith was facing the goal and tried to flick it out but ended up somewhat whiffing which was probably for the better anyway. In the 33rd minute, DC won a ball in the midfield and made a couple of quick passes. Danny Wilson watched as they passed the ball around him. Tommy Smith reached out but didn’t slide against Wayne Rooney, who took a shot that went between Howard’s legs and into the back of the net. Awful defending all around resulted in Rooney’s first MLS goal. In the second half, DC continued to look like the more dangerous team and had several chances. Howard did have a nice save against Rooney in the 57th minute on a mistouch from a breakaway, and the Rapids defense had some clutch clearances. In the 63rd minute, Jack McBean subbed in for Giles Barnes and Dillon Serna subbed in for Johan Blomberg and in the 75th minute, Niki Jackson subbed in for Kortne Ford who seemed to limp a bit as he came off. Kellyn Acosta had a couple shots that went wide and then in the 82nd minute, McBean passed a sweet ball in and Acosta floated it over DC keeper David Ousted and defender Steve Birnbaum to tie it up 1-1. (It was the Rapids only shot on goal for the night.) It was looking like the Burgundy Boys were going to go home with a point until DCU snuck in a cross that was redirected by Niki Jackson and squeezed in past Howard near-post. Jackson and Jack Price both picked up yellows in stoppage time and the Rapids head back to Colorado with a loss.<doc-sep>D.C. United’s new era has so far only told us what we more or less already knew. This team is good enough to beat bad teams comfortably, but not good enough to hang with MLS’s top tier. Tonight against the struggling Colorado Rapids, United needs to make sure that first clause is still true, as opportunities against the league’s bottom sides aren’t going to be too common from here on out. These are points the Black-and-Red can’t afford to miss out on. Key player: Wayne Rooney We’ve gotten a mixed bag out of Rooney so far. Against Vancouver, he made the game look like the easiest thing in the world, bagged an assist, and generally had an instant rapport with his new teammates. In Atlanta, he was totally isolated and could do little. Against the Red Bulls mid-week, he wasn’t consistently effective, but nearly all of United’s chances came with him on the field, and he probably should have won a DOGSO red card on Tim Parker. If Yamil Asad had been able to finish like normal, he gets another assist at the least. Tonight, against a far more defensive opponent, United needs to see the Rooney that out-thought the Whitecaps. The Rapids will sit deep and look to clog the middle, but Vancouver did the same, and Rooney made it look like he had acres to play in every time he was on the ball. That movement and that ability to play one-touch soccer so well should open up Colorado on a regular basis, but the rest of the team needs to remember how to play with Rooney. The balls in behind that we saw a few too many of against the Red Bulls are not how you get the best out of United’s new captain. Location: Audi Field (Washington, DC) Kickoff time: 8:00pm Eastern Projected D.C. United starting 11: (4141) - David Ousted; Jalen Robinson, Frederic Brillant, Steve Birnbaum, Oniel Fisher; Junior Moreno; Zoltan Stieber, Ian Harkes, Luciano Acosta, Yamil Asad; Wayne Rooney Bench: Steve Clark, Joseph Mora, Chris Durkin, Russell Canouse, Ulises Segura, Dane Kelly, Darren Mattocks Ben Olsen said he’d rotate at least somewhat for tonight, and this lineup would contain four changes: Robinson for Mora (with Fisher moving to right back), Moreno for Durkin, Harkes for the suspended Paul Arriola, and Rooney for Mattocks. The only one I’m really sure of is Rooney, as it could be Segura replacing Arriola instead. Arriola’s suspension also opens up a spot on the bench, which I’d normally think is going to Bruno Miranda. However, Miranda’s status is unclear due to United’s international roster spot crunch (we’ve asked for clarification on this). Assume he’s on loan with Richmond, though, which means a spot for Kelly. Projected Colorado Rapids starting 11: (541) - Tim Howard; Johan Blomberg, Kortne Ford, Danny Wilson, Tommy Smith, Edgar Castillo; Giles Barnes, Jack Price, Kellyn Acosta, Sam Nicholson; Yannick Boli Barnes is questionable, and if he can’t play (or possibly even if he can), Blomberg could play right midfield with Marlon Hairston coming in as the right wingback. Jack McBean could start up top instead of Boli, and there’s at least some small chance that this ends up being a 532 (with Nicholson moving up as a second forward). Referee: Ramy Touchan, who has officiated just one MLS game before tonight Available TV: NewsChannel 8 and regional affiliates (check the link for the over-the-air alternate channel in your area), including CW Richmond in RVA. Available streaming: ESPN+ for those outside the blackout radius (you might want to check that against this from MLS, which checks your zip code against the blackout list) For listings in other countries, check out LiveSoccerTV.com. What do we have to say about it? : We’ve got predictions of victory, and we’ll have a deeper look at the Rapids lineup later this morning. We also closed out Filibuster with some discussion of Colorado’s rather unusual roster. What are you drinking? : Since the answer of “press box water” is not going to be fun, let’s focus on what I’m going to drink on my way in. I’m leaning towards a Slurpee? This is the place for all your pre-game, in-game, and post-game discussion. Vamos never losing at home ever again, ever!<doc-sep>In his second start in MLS, Wayne Rooney has produced his first goal for D.C. United. Rooney, on his first night as the club’s new captain, struck in the 33rd minute against the Colorado Rapids, sliding the ball past his former Manchester United teammate Tim Howard in the process. Luciano Acosta and Zoltan Stieber were credited with assists on the play. Here is a clip of the goal, courtesy of Major League Soccer: Wayne Rooney opens his MLS account! #DCvCOL https://t.co/XuKvh1sVea — Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 29, 2018 Rooney, in his fourth appearance after a blockbuster move to MLS, started the game up front in Ben Olsen’s 4141 formation as United looked to bounce back from a tough loss against the New York Red Bulls. On the play, Junior Moreno won a tackle at midfield, pushing the ball to Stieber. Stieber looked inside to Acosta, who immediately produced a lovely pass to give Rooney space to muscle past Tommy Smith before firing a shot between Howard’s feet. United had survived an early penalty kick to the Rapids, which Kellyn Acosta—on his debut—fired off the post in the 26th minute. Until Rooney’s goal, United had largely dominated possession but had created few genuine chances.<doc-sep>
Chance after chance went awry for D.C. United in the second half against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night at Audi Field. It was only the 18th game of the season for the Black-and-Red, but it had the feel of a must win, given United’s position at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table. Yet, despite their misses, United still had the advantage, thanks to Wayne Rooney’s first goal in MLS in the first half. But this year, as United waited for their new home, the Black-and-Red have had their fair share of luck go against them. And as Kellyn Acosta broke in towards goal in the 82nd minute, an excellently placed finished leveled the scores, putting United’s backs against the wall. Unlike games past though, D.C. were able to respond, and it was Ulises Segura’s cross, that deflected off of Niki Jackson’s shoulder, that snuck past Tim Howard in the 90th minute, handing United a crucial three points in a 2-1 victory. “You make your own luck sometimes,” Head Coach Ben Olsen said in his press conference after the game. United had a stroke of luck early in the game, when Acosta, recently acquired from FC Dallas, took a penalty that Junior Moreno conceded in the first half. Keeper David Ousted guessed the right way on the attempt, but the ball pummeled off the upright, keeping the game scoreless. From there, it was only a matter of minutes before Rooney had his opening tally. United moved quickly after Moreno won possession at midfield, and Luciano Acosta slipped in Rooney, who rode past a challenge, and slipped the ball between the legs of Howard. “One of the reasons why we brought him here was to score goals,” Olsen said of his high priced striker. “I’m sure it’s a relief for him to get a goal.” Rooney wasn’t available to talk after the game, after he left the field late, as he picked up an injury defending a corner in stoppage time. Afterwards, the team said that Rooney had broken his nose, and needed five stitches to close up a wound over his left eye. The striker never made it back out on the field, but seemed to be in good spirits in the locker room after the game. Blood was visible on his head coach’s shirt, one which Olsen changed out of before his press conference. “I don’t think it’s the first time he’s bled. He’s a tough guy, he’ll shake it off,” said Olsen. For as crucial as the victory was though, United couldn’t take the easy way out. The wasted chances eventually gave way to Acosta’s equalizer in the 82nd minute. Two more dropped points would have been devastating for United, especially given that Colorado might have been their easiest opponent for the rest of the season. United immediately brought on Darren Mattocks, and also added Segura and Chris Durkin to the mix looking to change their fortunes. “It’s up to the players at that point. The guys have to look within,” said Olsen. “You have seen us at times lose leads this year. What I’m most pleased about was the way we got [three points].” Rooney recycled a free kick back to the other side of the field, and Acosta quickly played the ball to Segura in the box. There wasn’t much to aim for, but Segura worked himself into a pocket of space, and tried to cross the ball into the box. His cross took a deflection off of Jackson, and though Howard was in a spot to make the save, but was off balance, and wasn’t able to make a play on the ball. “Whenever you get into the box like that, you try to hit it as hard as you can,” Segura told reporters through an interpreter after the game. “So it hits a teammate or a defender, and you get something out of it.” The road to the playoffs is still a long one for United. They have to make up at least 11 points to make the playoffs this year. A trip to Canada to take on the Montreal Impact looms next week, before United returns back to Audi Field. But the result, the way in which United got the three points, just might be the moment that helps turn their season around. “We had the mistake at the end,” said midfielder Russell Canouse, who made his first start of the season on Saturday night.