PRESEASON RECAP: D.C. United 1 vs. 1 Colorado Rapids  

PRESEASON RECAP: D.C. United 1 vs.1 Colorado Rapids

Following a week of training after the 2-1 win against the Charleston Battery on February 2, D.C. United played the Colorado Rapids in the third exhibition match of the 2025 preseason on Friday, February 7.

Facing off against a fellow MLS team added an additional bite to the exhibition match with the intensity between the two teams felt from kickoff.

It was a hotly contested affair that ended 1-1 after two second-half goals shared between the teams. Colorado’s Kimani Stewart-Baynes opened the scoring in the 70th when he found himself through on goal and despite goalkeeper Kim Joon Hong getting his body on the shot, it trickled in to make it 1-0. Seven minutes later, defender Derek Dodson received the ball out wide and his dangerous run was rewarded when his cross deflected off the Colorado defender to make it 1-1.

Players in the starting eleven got an extended run on the field as they continued to build match fitness. There were three substitutions at halftime with another flurry of players coming on in the 70th minute.

Goalkeeper Kim Joon Hong completed his first 90 minutes for the Black-and-Red and made a couple of impressive saves in the match. His biggest save came in the 43rd minute when he was forced to make a diving save to his right to push the ball over the crossbar. Defender Kye Rowles had a solid performance at center back and showcased his defensive ability with strong positioning to keep Colorado’s chances to a minimum. 2024 MLS All-Star defender Aaron Herrera appeared for the first time this preseason and was a familiar force for the Black-and-Red down the right flank.

There were a lot of positive signs again from the Black-and-Red in their third exhibition match, but Head Coach Troy Lesesne will be eager to continue making improvements before next week’s friendly against Nashville SC on Wednesday, February 12 at 11 AM.

Lineup:

Kim Joon Hong, David Schnegg (Academy Player 1 70’), Kye Rowles (Garrison Tubbs 70’), Lucas Bartlett (Lukas MacNaughton 45’), Aaron Herrera (Derek Dodson 45’), Trialist 1 (Matti Peltola 45’), Boris Enow (Trialist 2 70’), Hosei Kijima (Trialist 3 70’), Gabi Pirani (Randall Leal 70’), Jared Stroud (Jacob Murrell 70’, Christian Benteke (Dominique Badji 70’)