D.C. United drew 2-2 with Philadelphia in their 18th match of the 2020 MLS Regular Season in an exciting, back-and-forth affair at Audi Field.
United Interim Head Coach Chad Ashton set his team up in a 4-4-2 formation for the second match running in the hopes to build on the performance in Chicago over the weekend. Chris Seitz started in goal with Donovan Pines, Frédéric Brillant, Oniel Fisher, and Joseph Mora in the backline. In midfield, Edison Flores returned to the starting lineup for the first time since August and was joined by Yamil Asad, Russell Canouse, and Kevin Paredes. Ola Kamara and Erik Sorga were paired together up front.
The teams entered halftime level 0-0 after a hotly contested opening 45 minutes, with United edging Philadelphia in shots 7-3. The best chance of the first half came before the interval, as Russell Canouse pounced on a loose ball inside the eighteen only to see his shot pushed away by a diving Andre Blake.
In the second half, Philadelphia were first on the score sheet after finding the back of the net in the 49th minute, capitalizing on a United turnover. Despite falling a goal down early in the second half, the Black-and-Red continued to push forward. Their efforts were rewarded in the 71st minute when Donovan Pines won his aerial duel at the near post to head home a Yamil Asad corner for his first career MLS goal. Only four minutes later, United were awarded a penalty kick after Erik Sorga’s effort from distance struck a Union player on the arm inside the 18-yard-box. Asad stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty into the bottom corner, sending Blake the wrong way to give his side the 2-1 lead.
United were denied their first three points since their 1-0 victory at Red Bull Arena in early September when Union center back, Mark McKenzie found the back of the net with a deflected effort from 25 yards out. Despite outshooting their opponent for the second game in a row, the sides split the points as the match finished 2-2.
D.C. United’s next match will be against Cincinnati FC at Nippert Stadium on Sunday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. EST. Tune into WJLA 24/7 News, www.dcunited.com, and ESPN+ to watch the match.
