D.C. United jumped ahead early but, after going down to 10 men, fell behind and couldn't complete the comeback despite a late goal, dropping the road meeting to Real Salt Lake 3-2 on Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Paul Arriola and Steven Birnbuam provided the goals for United—each players' first of the season—but three goals from Salt Lake was enough to seal the win.
Arriola struck first for the Black-and-Red at the 9th minute off a corner-kick from Zoltán Stieber. The Hungarian fired the ball to the far side where an unmarked Arriola snuck in and fired a shot past Real goalkeeper Nick Rimando to take a 1-0 lead. The goal was Arriola’s first of the season and the third consecutive time United have scored within the first 10 minutes of the match.
Real fought back following the goal, finding an equalizer at the 21st minute off a diving header from Corey Baird, who cut in on the right side and dove to meet the service from Joao Plata.
The match took a turn, though, when United fell to 10 men at the 22nd minute after a challenge from Joseph Mora resulted in a red card after video review.
Real jumped in the lead shortly after when Albert Rusnák took a pass from Brooks Lennon and fired it past United goalkeeper Steve Clark at the 26th minute to take the 2-1 lead.
Salt Lake would add to their lead in the second half when Rusnák sent a pass through to Jefferson Savarino on the right side. With only Clark to beat, Savarino went high and put Real up 3-1 at the 56th minute.
The visitors, despite being down a man, continued to fight throughout the second half, and Birnbaum provided a lift for United when he headed in a cross from Nick DeLeon to make it 3-2 at the 83rd minute. The goal was Birnbaum's first of the 2018 campaign, and while United refused to quit, Salt Lake held on for the win.
The Black-and-Red will continue their west coast swing with a visit to Avaya Stadium, where they will take on the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, May 19 at 10:30 PM ET.
