Top Moments from D.C. United’s Memorable 2018 Season
Our weeklong D.C. United preview series continues with a look back at last season. What were the top moments? What games were your favorites? Here are the games and moments we thought were the five most memorable.
The Audi Field inaugural game: July 14 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
D.C. United 3, Vancouver 1
D.C. United opened their beautiful new stadium with a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps. The game also marked the debut of Wayne Rooney, who was their biggest midseason acquisition that came to the club on July 10 when the US midseason transfer window opened.
Yamil Asad scored the first goal in Audi Field history in the 27th minute.
Paul Arriola added two goals in the 69th and 80th minutes. One of the goals came off a pass from Rooney.
The top play of the season: August 12 vs. Orlando City SC
D.C. United 3, Orlando City 2
This was sick and maybe the top soccer play many of us saw in 2018. In a six minute stoppage time with the game deadlocked at two, D.C. United had a corner kick opportunity.
After an Orlando defender cleared the ball down the field it looked like this game was going to end in a draw. That’s when Wayne Rooney made a heroic hustle, dive, steal, run and launch a deep pass right to the head of Luciano Acosta.
Acosta finished the header and complete bedlum ensued. D.C. United defeated Orlando City 3-2. In a game that could’ve just given them one point, Rooney’s hustle and clutch pass helped the black and red come away with two.
If you were just a casual soccer fan in the D.C. area who didn’t quite know who Wayne Rooney was, you did now.
A shutout against Montreal: September 29 vs. Montreal Impact
D.C. United 5, Montreal 0
D.C. United was chasing Montreal down the stretch of the regular season for the final spot to qualify for the MLS playoffs. This was a very important game for the black and red and would be the catalyst for a hot October.
The black and red got a pair of goals from Wayne Rooney and Paul Arriola and Luciano Acosta added a goal of his own in the win.
Russell Canouse’s heroics: Oct. 13 vs. FC Dallas
D.C. United 1, FC Dallas 0
D.C. United had a challenge against one of the best teams in the MLS. They held FC Dallas off the board and were looking for a late strike just before stoppage time.
That’s when Russell Canouse struck in the 86th minute for his first career MLS goal. It couldn’t have come at a better time. The win put D.C. United in playoff positioning in the eighth and final spot with two more games to go and a chance to control their own destiny.
Clinching the playoffs: Oct. 21 vs. New York City FC
D.C. United 3, NYCFC 1
D.C. United got two goals from Wayne Rooney and one from Luciano Acosta. Rooney’s second would seal the win and send the black and red into the MLS Playoffs. You can read more about that historic game here.
That will do it for the top moments from last season. Coming up tomorrow in our weeklong D.C. United season preview series we’ll have a story on Wayne Rooney and what he hopes to accomplish in his second season in D.C.
Top photo: D.C. United
