D.C. United’s first season under Coach Troy Lesesne has brought both thrills and frustration — an anticipated range of emotions as long-term plans take hold. Amid the growing process, though, matches such as Saturday’s against the stumbling Chicago Fire carry higher expectations.
Anything shy of three points would be considered a failure in the moment and a setback to United’s ambitions of returning to the MLS playoffs after four consecutive misses.
United was headed in the right direction before veering off course in the second half and settling for a 1-1 draw before 19,081 at Audi Field.
D.C. (4-5-6) is winless in three straight and fell to 3-3-2 at home. After a run of seven goals in three matches, it has managed two in its past three outings — both by central defenders.
Chicago (2-8-5) is winless in eight (0-5-3) and has scored three goals in that time.
Advertisement
“Chicago was better than us in the second half,” Lesesne said. “We’re fortunate to get a point out of that, and that’s not good enough.”
Christopher McVey scored midway through the first half, but Chicago’s Kellyn Acosta responded early in the second.
United’s frustration was heard throughout the locker room.
“We know how we want to play,” captain Steven Birnbaum said. “We’ve shown spells of it. It’s frustrating to not put a full performance together over the last couple of games, and so that needs to be addressed. We know it needs to be addressed.”
Goalkeeper Alex Bono said: “We come out for the second half, and we look like a different team. It’s self-inflicted. ... We can’t keep playing like this and expect to do what we want to do this year.”
United has failed to protect leads six times, resulting in two defeats and four draws.
Advertisement
“Story of the season,” right back Aaron Herrera said. “Take the lead and then come out the second half super lackadaisical and give them a bad goal. It’s shocking we haven’t figured it out yet. Can’t just keep doing the same thing over and over. It’s getting ridiculous at this point.”
United went ahead in the 20th minute on McVey’s first goal of the season and second in 65 MLS appearances. Mateusz Klich launched a free kick from the center circle. Birnbaum won the header in the penalty area, flicking it into McVey’s path at the top of the six-yard box for a right-footed poke past goalkeeper Chris Brady.
After finishing the half without a shot on goal or corner kick, the Fire set the terms after intermission.
“We were too passive,” Birnbaum said.
“You can see in the first half we disrupted them,” Lesesne said. “We were [performing] in our way. I think you could see our identity. You could not see that in the second half.”
Advertisement
In the 53rd minute, Andrew Gutman’s cross set up one-touch passing between Acosta and Hugo Cuypers before Acosta drove an 18-yarder into the low left corner. United has not recorded a shutout since March 30.
United’s energy remained high, but its execution was poor and its defensive effort conceded ample space. United could not find a rhythm, and top scorer Christian Benteke didn’t receive quality service in the box.
“Second half, we were one-dimensional at best,” Lesesne said.
Late in the game, Birnbaum’s header flew wide of the back post and Chicago’s Maren Haile-Selassie threatened twice.
“We’re past the point of taking small positives and trying to work them into our process,” Bono said. “It’s time the results need to come.”
The match began the start of another stretch of three games in eight days for United, which will visit Montreal (3-7-4) on Wednesday and host Toronto (7-7-1) next Saturday.
Advertisement
Here’s what else to know about United’s draw:
Roster shortage
Winger Martín Rodríguez (concussion) and defender-midfielder Pedro Santos (hip) were ruled out, leaving United with just 15 non-goalkeepers. The 17-man active squad was three fewer than the maximum.
Midfielder Russell Canouse (colon surgery) and defender Conner Antley (ACL) are out for the year. Left back Mohanad Jeahze’s contract was bought out by the team, people close to the matter said, and David Schnegg (Austria’s Sturm Graz) is expected to debut after the transfer window opens July 18.
National team call-ups
While United is off during the FIFA window June 3 to 11, Herrera will join Guatemala for World Cup qualifiers vs. Dominica and the British Virgin Islands. He will skip the June 14 friendly vs. Argentina in Landover because it falls outside the window and United plays the next day in Charlotte.
Defender Matti Peltola is scheduled to join Finland for friendlies at Portugal and Scotland.
New field planned
Badly scarred by football games, Audi Field’s grass is set to be replaced early this summer, though a date has not been disclosed. The D.C. Defenders’ final home game is June 2. The U.S. women’s national team is scheduled to visit July 16 for its final Olympic tuneup.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7uK3SoaCnn6Sku7G70q1lnKedZMCxu9GtqmhqYGeBcHyUaGluZ5SYera6yK2cnWWTnbakrcaoZJ%2Bhopp8