On Wednesday night, D.C. United faced off against Orlando City for their “United Night Out” Pride Month match. Paul Arriola and Junior Moreno both missed the match due to international duty, but Joseph Mora returned to the lineup for his first MLS game since suffering a broken jaw on the road against Orlando in late March.
The game was competitive early on, with both teams getting good looks at goal. But it didn’t take long for D.C. United to snag the lead. After a defensive turnover by Orlando near midfield, Wayne Rooney saw Orlando City goalkeeper Brian Rowe way off his line. Rooney launched a rocket from midfield, and while Rowe scrambled, he couldn’t get back in time to stop the goal. Rooney put the Black-and-Red up 1-0 with a goal from 70 yards out.
D.C. United created more chances in the first half but was unable to finish any of them. In the 30th minute, Rooney had a dangerous free kick that nearly went into the net, but Rowe was able to get a hand on it and keep it out. United went to the half with a 1-0 lead.
In the 73rd minute, Ulises Segura thought he had put D.C. United up 2-0. The Black-and-Red took possession of the ball in the midfield and Lucas Rodriguez slid a perfect ball between the Orlando City central defenders. Segura got on the end of that ball and went one-on-one with Rowe, ultimately slotting the ball into the back of the net. But after consulting VAR, the referee determined Segura was a step offside and the goal was disallowed.
Despite great offensive chances from both sides, the match ended 1-0. Rooney’s goal from midfield was the difference-maker, giving D.C. United another three points at home. The Black-and-Red will have a quick turnaround this week; they return to Audi Field on Saturday night to take on Toronto FC.
