This past weekend the Union traveled to RFK stadium to play rival, DC United. The game ended up being the most thrilling game of the season and the Union came out with a 3-2 victory. Quality play was displayed from the Union throughout the first half, however they once again, failed to maintain their worthy efforts for the second half.
Things kicked off early on, when Jack McInerney scored the game’s first goal in the 7th minute. The goal highlighted McInerny’s ball control ability, as he smoothly dribbled his way around two DC United defenders and delivered the ball beautifully to the back of the net.
Nearly four minutes later another goal was granted to the Union by Conor Casey in the 11th minute, bringing the team up 2-0. Although Casey’s finish was phenomenal, credit can be given to Danny Cruz who took the ball up the field and maneuvered his way clear of defenders. Cruz then looked up and made a cross of excellence to Conor Casey who was open in the box.
DC United changed the game in the 17th minute when Brandon McDonald gained possession of the ball just outside of the 18. He found Dwayne De Rosario who had made a clever run into the upper right corner of the box and crossed it to him. De Rosario then assisted the ball to Perry Kitchen who once touched it into the goal, bringing DC United back into the game.
In the 26th minute McInerney scored yet another goal. McInerny made it look as if scoring goals was easy in this game when he effortlessly controlled a throw in from defender Sheanon Williams and successfully shot and scored a beautiful goal for the second time. The Union were completing dominating the game with a 3-1 lead.
The Union managed to hold their two goal lead to finish up the first half even though DC United had a few close chances. Zac MacMath was compelled to perform solid blocks, but these shots showed no threat for the goalkeeper. It was in the second half where the Union began to fall apart, and they did so quickly because in the 47th minute DC United scored their second goal. DC United’s Daniel Woolard had control of the ball and sent a lobbing ball into the box and found the head of Lionard Pajoy who had pulled off the back shoulder of Amobi Okugo and found himself front and centered in front of MacMath. He headed the ball low and hard to the left corner of the net.
The Union created no respectable chances throughout the second half. DC United made several more attempts to tie the game up but none caused them to add to their tally of goals. One upsetting chance for the Union to score yet again came when Keon Daniel dribbled his way past DC’s line of defenders and into the box with not a single man on him. Daniel took one too many steps and shot a ball that was easily stopped by the DC United goalkeeper. It is clear that Daniel needs to work on his finishing of the ball because his shot was cheap. Thankfully the Union were already in the lead and this shot would have not changed that. The game drew to an end and the Union were able to come home with three points thanks to two outstanding first half goals from Jack McInerney.
McInerney has been nothing but excellent this entire season. After scoring two goals at DC, the young 20 year old found himself awarded the MLS player of the week. Not only is he player of the week but he currently is the leading goal scorer of MLS. He is the youngest player to ever hold such a position in the MLS. It’s apparent that McInerney has a bright future; both long term and short. I already know that this player will rack up many more goals for the Union this season, he has already proved his capability to make commendable finishes. I can also see him going far in this league in the near future.
Although the Union managed to leave our nation’s capital with a win, this team is still not able to play to their full potential for ninety minutes. This is something coach John Hackworth needs to focus in on because even if this weakness didn’t cost them a loss this weekend, it has too many times in the past. I can say with confidence that this team will reach that point soon in the upcoming games, hopefully we will see improvement in the next game against the New England Revolution next weekend.
