The Black-and-Red played their second preseason match against MLS counterparts the Philadelphia Union on Feb. 2 at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla. After conceding a CJ Sapong goal in the first half, D.C. United’s new Costa Rican forward José Guillermo Ortiz equalized with a sliding effort to finish a cross from trialist and former Montreal Impact defender Maxim Tissot.
Luciano Acosta had an impressive performance in the midfield with multiple flashes of the brilliance that he became known for last season. The 2016 team leader in assists (11) helped create some goal-scoring opportunities in the first half for the Black-and-Red with some well-placed and accurate passing.
Ortiz, who also scored against the US Under-17's, was lively in the second half.
“He’s been one of the bright spots, not only today but since he’s come to camp,” head coach Ben Olsen said. “His hold-up play has been good, as has his movement in and around the box and he constantly finds himself on the end of service, which are all things you want out of your forward. He’s going to bring competition and that’s a healthy thing.”
While the team continues to grow in confidence and get to full match fitness, the resilient performance against the Union was a good indicator of things to come for the Black-and-Red.
First Half Starting XI: Worra; Kemp, Boswell, Robinson, DeLeon; Jeffrey; Nyarko, Vincent, Acosta, Sam; Mullins
Second Half Starting XI: Klenofsky; Tissot, Opare, Franklin, Odoi-Atsem; Durkin; Neagle, Büscher, Harkes, Le Toux; Ortiz
