D.C. United opened the 2018 season by picking up a point on the road after a 1-1 draw with Orlando City SC Saturday night at Orlando City Stadium.
Yamil Asad recorded his first goal of the season, and his first as a member of the Black-and-Red, in the first half. Orlando found an equalizer, though, when Stéfano Pinho struck for Orlando in stoppage time.
The new-look United roster, which featured seven players making their Black-and-Red debuts, started strong and forced pressure in Orlando's end of the pitch. In the 19th minute, United earned their first clear-cut chance when Darren Mattocks attempted a cross while inside the box that struck Orlando midfielder Will Johnson on the hand.
Though it was initially missed, United were awarded a penalty kick by VAR after review. Mattocks stepped up to the line and fired a shot to the right, but Orlando goalkeeper Joe Bendik tipped it off the crossbar where the ball bounced down dangerously toward the line before it was eventually swept away.
Not long after, Asad drew a foul setting up a free kick from the left side. The Argentine hit a perfectly-placed ball that bent past Bendik to put the Black-and-Red up 1-0 in the 32nd minute.
Things got chippy after the goal, eventually resulting in a red card for Orlando in the 41st minute when Victor Giro threw his arm behind Asad’s head while challenging for a header, forcing Orlando to play with only 10 men for the remainder of the match.
Despite being down a man, Orlando fought back in the second half, pushing the pace and hemming United into their own end.
It looked as if United would leave with all three points until Orlando found the back of the net in the third minute of stoppage time. Pinho poked one past United keeper David Ousted, forcing the Black-and-Red to settle for the draw for their first match of the regular season.
United return to the road next week when they head to Atlanta to take on Atlanta United on Sunday, March 11.
