D.C. United earned a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Crew on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Audi Field. Forward Tai Baribo scored both goals in his return to the starting lineup, netting in the 24th and 37th minutes. D.C. United held off sustained second-half pressure to secure the Eastern Conference win.
The win improved D.C. United’s record to 6-7-10 and 28 points, moving them back into 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings. Baribo recorded his 13th and 14th goals of the season, while Louis Munteanu and Kimito Nono each assisted.
Tai Baribo Gives D.C. United a Halftime Lead
Columbus Crew created the first significant chance in the 11th minute, with Santiago Rodríguez striking from outside the box to force a save from D.C. United goalkeeper Sean Johnson in the top-left corner. D.C. United responded with chances from Louis Munteanu and Kimito Nono, but Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte denied Munteanu’s effort, and Nono later hit the crossbar in the 16th minute.
D.C. United converted its pressure in the 24th minute. Munteanu played Baribo in close to goal, and Baribo finished from close range to put D.C. United in front.
The Columbus Crew pushed for an equalizer through Taha Habroune and Dylan Chambost, but D.C. United doubled its lead in the 37th minute. Nono delivered a cross into the box, and Baribo swept the ball into the bottom-left corner for his second goal of the match.
Columbus Crew Applies Second-Half Pressure
The Columbus Crew cut the deficit in half in the 49th minute, when Rodríguez collected a pass from Josef Martínez and curled a right-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom-right corner. D.C. United nearly restored its two-goal lead one minute later, but Kye Rowles headed a corner off the crossbar from close range.
The Columbus Crew continued to press after halftime. Johnson denied Brais Méndez from distance in the 61st minute, and Méndez hit the crossbar in the 70th minute.
D.C. United created late chances, with substitutes Nathan Ordaz and Brandon Servania each drawing a save from Schulte. Johnson finished with three saves, as D.C. United held Columbus Crew to a single goal through six minutes of stoppage time.
D.C. United Schedule
D.C. United returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 12, when it hosts Atlanta United FC at Audi Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Tai Baribo provided D.C. United’s decisive attacking production with two first-half goals in his return to the starting lineup. Louis Munteanu and Kimito Nono contributed assists, while Sean Johnson’s three saves helped D.C. United protect its lead against Columbus Crew’s persistent second-half pressure.
Source: Original report
