DC United vs. FC Cincinnati Recap: July 18, 2019
D.C. United scored a statement win on the road against FC Cincinnati on Thursday. The Black-and-Red came in strong on both offense and defense to take a crucial win. The MLS’ newest team could not find an answer for three quick goals in the second half. United now looks ahead as the playoffs loom.
Lucas Rodriguez’s 42nd-minute score was the only goal of the first half for either side. A quick, maneuverable play, Rodriguez’s goal showed his ball-playing skills for the stunned Cincinnati squad. The beginning of the second half was the one moment in the game where the Orange and Blue threatened. Emmanuel Ledesma’s penalty shot in the 54th minute kept the game tied for a long time. Though later, Rodriguez scored again, and United never looked back. Strikes by Wayne Rooney in the 64th and Paul Arriola in the 73rd were able to clinch the game even further. Goalie Chris Seitz helped too, making two incredible saves on three shots.
With 35 points and a 9-8-5 record, United is still in second in the Eastern Conference. They trail Philadelphia Uinon by just one point. Cincinnati is at 5-2-14, last place in the East and with almost no chance at the playoffs. Both teams seem to be using this game as a demonstration on how their respective seasons are going. With a win, United can distance themselves from the rest of the pack as the MLS season passes its halfway point.
