D.C. United recorded their first win of 2021 after cruising to a 5-1 win against their United Soccer League (USL) Championship affiliate team, Loudoun United FC, at Audi Field on Friday, March 26. This was Head Coach Hernán Losada's second game in charge of the Black-and-Red and he continues to incorporate his philosophy with the players.
D.C. United started the first 45-minute period with Chris Seitz in net with Brendan Hines-Ike, Frédéric Brillant, and Donovan Pines starting as the back three. Julian Gressel and Joseph Mora played as wingbacks while Russell Canouse, and Junior Moreno anchored the midfield. Yamil Asad, Edison Flores, and Ola Kamara started as the attacking three for the Black-and-Red.
It took 19 minutes for D.C. United to find the first goal when Yamil Asad played in a low cross that Ola Kamara tapped in from close range. The second goal came shortly after in the 30th minute when Edison Flores played a corner kick that Frédéric Brillant headed home. The two teams finished the first half with D.C. United leading 2-0.
United made a flurry of substitutions in the second half with Jon Kempin, Moses Nyeman, Adrien Perez, Kimarni Smith, and Yordy Reyna coming on in the 60th minute. The Black-and-Red added three more goals in the second half with Loudoun United's Kairou Amoustapha scoring a consolation goal in the 84th minute. The friendly finished with D.C. United comfortably winning 5-1.
The Black-and-Red’s next preseason friendly will be against the Philadelphia Union on March 31 at Subaru Park in Chester, PA. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. United’s first match of the 2021 Regular Season will be against New York City FC on April 17 at 8:00 p.m. ET at Audi Field.
