A Recap of D.C. United’s Preseason Action
While the DMV was undergoing another cold winter, D.C. United was hard at work in sunny and beautiful Clearwater, Florida for training camp to gear up for the 2019 season. They spent some time down in Florida as well as held training sessions back in Washington, D.C. The preseason work also included five games. Here’s how D.C. United fared in those five matches.
Scenes from training camp:
Feb. 2 vs. Bethlehem Steel FC (USL) W 1-0:
D.C. United began the 2019 preseason at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater, Fl with a bit of a scare concerning their biggest star. Wayne Rooney was taken out of the game in the 18th minute as a precaution after he took a knock on the lower right shin.
“I’ve got a few of them before. It took longer than I thought to ease down, so no point in taking any chances. I’m not too concerned,” Rooney told Steven Goff of The Washington Post.
D.C. United’s lone goal that turned out to be the game-winner came from Shinya Kadono in the 57th minute, a third round pick from the 2019 MLS SuperDraft who at the time had yet to sign a contract.
Feb. 7 at FC Cincinnati in Bradenton, FL 1-1 T:
D.C. United’s second preseason game took place against the expansion FC Cincinnati. This game marked the first preseason action for Paul Arriola and Russell Canouse, who returned from the US National Team.
D.C. United went up 1-0 in the 21st minute with a goal from Luciano Acosta and had the better first half. In the second half, the newest club in the MLS tied the game with nine minutes remaining till stoppage time with a goal in the 82nd minute. The goal came from Nazmi Albadawi.
D.C. United and FC Cincinnati will meet for the first time in the regular season on Thursday July 18 in Cincinnati.
Feb. 16 Suncoast Invitational at Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL) in St. Petersburg, FL W 1-0:
D.C. United defeated the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the first game of the Suncoast Invitational by a final of 1-0. The lone D.C. United goal came in the 34th minute with a great setup by Luciano Acosta to Paul Arriola. Acosta’s footwork along the sidleline by the goal helped him find an open Arriola.
Full game highlights below:
Feb. 20 vs. Philadelphia Union L 2-1:
Wayne Rooney scored the game’s first goal in the 23rd minute but it wasn’t enough as the Union defeated D.C. United 2-1. The goals from the Union came from Marco Fabian, his first in a Philadelphia uniform, in the 60th minute. Cory Burke gave them the 2-1 lead in the 74th minute.
D.C. United will take on the Union for the first time this season on August 4 at Audi Field.
Feb. 23 Suncoast Invitational at Montreal Impact in St. Petersburg L 3-0:
D.C. United was shut out by the Montreal Impact in the preseason finale 3-0. Ignacio Piatti struck early, and Maximiliano Urruti and Mathieu Choiniere each added goals of their own.
D.C. United will see the Impact at Audi Field on Tuesday April 9th.
Tomorrow our weeklong D.C. United preview series continues with a look at the new guys on the team.
You can catch up here:
After the Impact Made Last Season, Wayne Rooney Looks to Guide D.C. United Further in 2019
Top Moments from D.C. United’s Memorable 2018 Season
D.C. United opens the season at Audi Field on Sunday
Top photo: D.C. United
