D.C. United makes it three straight wins with 2-0 triumph over Seattle Sounders

D.C. United made easy work out of the Seattle Sounders, winning 2-0 on a balmy Sunday night at Audi Field. Goals from Lucas Rodriguez and Frederic Brillant on either side of halftime handed the home side the edge they needed, and despite sporadic looks from the Sounders, United picked up their third straight shutout victory.

D.C. United initially took control of the match, testing the Sounders’ goalkeeper Stefan Frei almost immediately. But as the game progressed, the Seattle Sounders began to settle and even out the playing field.

Both teams hit the crossbar in an exchange of chances around the 10th minute. First, Brad Smith bolted down the left towards Hamid before striking the ball against the woodwork. Wayne Rooney then retaliated by rushing to the opposition’s end, threatening to curl the ball into the upper right corner only for the bar to intervene.

With the game dangerously open for both sides, Ulises Segura managed to take momentary control, creating United’s opening goal. After reaching the box, Segura’s cross took a deflection, falling to Lucas Rodriguez, who managed to get his shot through traffic to reach the bottom corner for the 1-0 lead.

The goal acted as a confidence booster for United. The Black-and-Red saw Paul Arriola maneuver within the Sounders’ box shortly afterward, forcing Stefan Frei into a strong save.

United continued to attack, with Rooney in the thick of the play. But before United could get too comfortable, the Sounders would regain some momentum. In their closest call of the first half, Smith infiltrated the box to provide a cross for Kelvin Leerdam, whose powerful strike forced a good block from Steven Birnbaum.

Before the action-packed half came to a close, Rooney shot a free kick that hit the upper right corner of the post once again, missing a goal by inches.

United returned to the pitch for the second 45 with the same determination to control the match.

Moments into the half, Joseph Mora won a foul deep in Seattle territory. From the left corner of the box, Rooney opted for a low shot that found its way to Frederic Brilliant, who tapped it into the goal to double the lead.

United remained strong throughout the half, testing Frei several times, but they couldn’t quite convert a third goal. Substitute Quincy Amarikwa was denied by a strong block from Smith on their best look. The Sounders didn’t succumb to complacency, with Bill Hamid forced to make a couple of alert stops at the other end, but the final twenty minutes ticked away calmly for the Black-and-Red.

Now on their longest winning run of the entire season, United will head up I-95 to take on their oldest rivals, the New York Red Bulls, next Sunday night.

Box Score

MLS Regular Season (Game 32)
D.C. United 2 (Rodriguez 14, Brillant 54)
Seattle Sounders 0

Lineups:
DCU (4231): Bill Hamid; Russell Canouse, Frederic Brillant, Steven Birnbaum, Joseph Mora; Felipe, Junior Moreno; Ulises Segura (Emmanuel Boateng 83), Paul Arriola, Lucas Rodriguez (Quincy Amarikwa 70); Wayne Rooney (C) (Luciano Acosta 77)

Seattle (4231): Stefan Frei (C); Kelvin Leerdam (Emmanuel Cecchini 82), Kim Kee-Hee, Gustav Svensson, Brad Smith; Jordy Delem, Cristian Roldan; Harry Shipp (Luis Silva 62), Victor Rodriguez (Joevin Jones 56), Jordan Morris; Raul Ruidiaz

Bookings:
DCU - None
Seattle - Leerdam 53