D.C. United pulled off its fifth come-from-behind victory of the season with Sunday’s dramatic 2-1 win over the New England Revolution last weekend.
The Black-and-Red lead the league in this category, and there’s been a common theme to almost all of the victories: Chris Rolfe has delivered the game-winning goal four times – also tops in MLS. As he gets set to (finally) make his debut appearance against his former club, the Chicago Fire, here’s a look back at the quartet of comebacks he’s helped to orchestrate.
Apr. 25 at Vancouver
WATCH: Chris Rolfe first-time shot in Vancouver
Facing the Western Conference-leading Whitecaps at BC Place, where United had never won, was going to be a daunting task before Pedro Morales scored in the second minute. But Bobby Boswell got the equalizer eight minutes later and when Matias Laba went off following a pair of yellow cards, the stage was set.
Rolfe set up the goal with a darting run down the heart of the Vancouver defense, and after a deflection one-timed a 64th-minute volley past Davie Ousted to send United on the way to a statement victory in the Pacific Northwest.
May 13 vs. Orlando City
United again went down early in the first nation’s capital visit by the expansion side from Florida. After Kofi Opare tied the game in the 70th minute, Rolfe combined with fellow substitute Jairo Arrieta in the 79th minute, redirecting the Costa Rican’s cross with an exquisite volley from six yards and then celebrating with the fans in the corner of RFK Stadium.
May 30 vs. Philadelphia
WATCH: Chris Rolfe game-winning penalty
Chris Pontius powered home a header at the stroke of halftime to erase the first-half deficit, and Rolfe put the Union away from the penalty spot this time, stepping up in the 85th minute after Zach Pfeffer’s handball. The victory gave United its 19th straight game at home without a loss, tying the club record.
June 21 vs. New England
The heat was stifling and the scoreline frustrating, even if Charlie Davies showed respect for his former team by not celebrating his first-half goal. Rolfe was unmarked at the back post with perfect technique to volley home Fabián Espíndola’s cross in the 70th minute and tie the match.
When Miguel Aguilar was tripped up in the box moments later, Rolfe got the penalty duties again following a discuss at the spot with Espíndola. Bobby Shuttleworth went to his right, and Rolfe buried the kick in the opposite corner for his sixth goal of the season – the eighth time in nine MLS seasons that the former Dayton star has reached a half-dozen goals or more.
