D.C. United Finishes Regular Season with Scoreless Draw at Chicago, Secures a Home Playoff Match

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Photo credit: Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports

D.C. United and the Chicago Fire played to a scoreless draw on Sunday during Decision Day across the MLS. With the point as well as NYCFC’s win over Philadelphia, there will be a playoff game at Audi Field. D.C. United extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games and their record improves to 14-11-9 for 51 points, good enough for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

D.C. United and the Chicago came out of the gates determined to get on the board. In the fifth minute, Aleksandar Katai’s shot from the center of the box was blocked. Diego Campos also had his shot blocked in the 11th minute. Over on the other end in the 13th minute, Nick DeLeon’s right footed shot from the outside was blocked. In the 17th minute, D.C. United goalie Bill Hamid saved a shot from Katai.

The Fire had another good look in the 27th minute. Nico Hasler just missed the net.

On a give-n-go, from Paul Arriola, to Luciano Acosta, back to Arriola, the vistors looked for a spark but came up just short thanks to this great defensive play.

The Fire threatened before the half. Bastian Schweinsteiger’s attempt at a goal was stopped by defender Frederic Brillant.

Just before the half in the 43rd minute, Hamid stopped a header from Nicolas Hasler. The teams would head to the locker room scoreless at the end of the first half.

D.C. United was outshot in the first half 6-2 and didn’t record a shot on target. Hamid finished with two saves. Three of D.C. United’s shots were blocked while the black and red blocked one shot.

Hamid stopped a corner attempt in the 48th minute to begin the second half.

In the 50th minute, Wayne Rooney came charging down and fed the ball to Acosta. Acosta shot it above the net into the stands. Four minutes later, Dax McCarty recieved a yellow card for unsporting behavior. It looked like he armed Acosta to knock him down. In the 61st minute, Schweinsteiger conceded a D.C. United corner kick.

It was a rather misty and light rainy day to begin the game. By the 65th minute, the rain came pouring down more as both teams were desprately trying to get on the board.

In the 68th minute, Rooney had a free kick. After it was caughed up by Fire goaltender Patrick McLain, Brillant had an opportunity fall into his lap but it sailed above the net.

In the 79th minute, Segura had a great look but shot it over the net. On the other end two minutes later, Katai launched a rocket over the net. In the 84th minute, a corner kick from Rooney was stopped by Schweinsteiger. D.C. United then used their first substition of the game as Yamil Asad came in for Ulises Segura. Chicago at that point already had three subs in.

After 90 minutes there would be a two minute stoppage time. D.C. United got a corner kick late. After that attempt fell short, Diego Campos crashed into Acosta to set up one last chance for United. The free kick from Rooney landed right on top the net and the whistle sounded signaling a scoreless draw.

Over in New York, NYCFC defeated the Philadelphia Union 3-1 to give the black and red fans exactly what they wanted: a home playoff match.

D.C. United will now embark in a knockout round playoff game on Thursday night in the District. They will host the Columbus Crew, who defeated Minnesota United FC 3-2. Kickoff is at 8:00 p.m.

 

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