One game in 100 words: D.C. United’s first-to-worst season continues to roll on, with DCU edging the Philadelphia Union 1-0 at RFK Stadium for their fifth-straigh home win. United didn’t boast the majority of possession, holding only 46.6 percent. However, they gathered more chances on frame than Philadelphia, totaling seven shots, one of which created the decisive goal. This triumph increased the Black-and-Reds’ point tally at the top of the Eastern Conference. Even though the Revolution defeated Sporting Kansas City last night, D.C. is six points clear of their second-place contenders, a larger gap than the first and second place teams in the Western Conference.
Goals
D.C. United: Luis Silva 10’
Philadelphia Union: None
Three moments that mattered
10’ — Silva notches the winner — The winning goal didn’t arrive in the waning minutes of the contest quite like Michael Bradley’s set-piece shot; nonetheless, United captured the ideal start to this competition, and they were able to preserve the victory from here. Sean Franklin attempted to cross the ball toward the five-yard box, but his try was deflected to Chris Korb at the corner of the penalty area. Then, Korb lofted a short lobbed pass to Luis Silva, who whacked a header into the back of the net.
27’ — Clearances of Valdes keep United’s lead at 1-0 — Bill Hamid headed this dangerous sequence for D.C. United, punting a excellent ball that dropped to the feet of a wide-open, onside Fabian Espindola. The former New York Red Bulls forward then whipped a left-footed endeavor on net, but defender Carlos Valdes cleared it off the line. Espindola jumped in front of the clearance and slotted it to Luis Silva for an close-range venture. Once again, Valdes was there to prevent the goal.
47’ — Hamid on call — Andrew Wenger made a good run on the wing before sending a cross into the box for Danny Cruz. Goalkeeper Bill Hamid timed his sprint out of goal perfectly, though, and Cruz, although he had broken free, couldn’t muster enough contact on a shot to slide home the score. Hamid’s shrewd play protected United’s 1-0 advantage, and ultimately, the three points. Philadelphia couldn’t assemble many other opportunities of this caliber.
Lineups
D.C. United: Bill Hamid; Chris Korb (Chris Pontius 61’), Bobby Boswell, Steve Birnbaum, Taylor Kemp; Sean Franklin, Perry Kitchen, Davy Arnaud, Nick DeLeon; Luis Silva (Eddie Johnson 68’), Fabian Espindola (Lewis Neal 85’)
Philadelphia: Rais Mbolhi; Sheanon Williams, Maurice Edu, Carlos Valdes (Pedro Ribeiro 82’), Raymon Gaddis; Amobi Okugo, Vincent Nogueira, Sebastien Le Toux (Danny Cruz 22’), Christian Maidana, Andrew Wenger; Conor Casey (Brian Brown 63’)
