The tandem of Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta once again led D.C. United to victory. This time, the duo combined for three goals and two assists to defeat Atlanta United, 3-1, in front of a sellout crowd at Audi Field Sunday night.
Acosta delivered a brace while Rooney converted his first MLS penalty kick to snap Atlanta's eight-game unbeaten streak.
The Black-and-Red’s defense, meanwhile, combined to hold the league’s most potent offense to one goal with goalkeeper Bill Hamid stopping six shots.
After the visiting team controlled possession in the first half, Hamid lined up over the ball for a goal kick. Hoping to establish possession on the other side of the field, Hamid launched a pass well beyond midfield.
Hamid’s pass found Rooney, who flicked a header ahead to a sprinting Acosta. The Argentine then eluded two defenders bearing down on him by stopping on a dime and blasting a shot past Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan into the back of the net to make it 1-0 for the Black-and-Red at the 29th minute. Hamid and Rooney were awarded assists on the quick strike.
Just six minutes later, the Black-and-Red threatened to open up a two-goal advantage when Ulises Segura collected a pass in front of the Atlanta net. Segura’s quality chance was saved by Guzan’s right leg, keeping Atlanta’s deficit at one.
Atlanta equalized in the 39th minute, though, when Ezequiel Barco’s successful corner attempt that was headed into the net by Jeff Larentowicz to level the score at one goal apiece heading into halftime.
D.C. made a charge in the second half and were rewarded after Paul Arriola was tripped up inside of the box by Barco in the 51st minute, resulting in a penalty kick for United. Rooney calmly stepped to the spot and buried the go-ahead goal for the Black-and-Red to make it 2-1 at the 52nd minute.
United’s defense was then tasked with protecting the lead against the vaunted Atlanta attack led by Josef Martinez, the league’s leading goal scorer. In front of Hamid, United's defense registered 31 clearances and held Martinez to few quality chances.
In the 77th minute, Acosta collected a pass from Rooney on the right flank and drove towards goal on a breakaway chance. After cutting to the middle of the box, Acosta drilled a left-footed strike past the outstretched Guzan to give the home team a 3-1 advantage at the 77th minute.
Hamid sealed the victory with back-to-back saves in the 82nd and 83rd minute as he dove to deflect a free kick out of play and closed off the post to save a chance off a corner kick.
The three points for United brings their season total to 30, six points behind the Montreal Impact for the coveted final playoff spot. The Black-and-Red can creep closer to a playoff berth when they visit New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Saturday Sept. 8 at 4:55 PM ET on Univision.
