3 Takeaways from DC United’s Win over Inter Miami
DC United traveled to Florida on Saturday to take a struggling Miami side in their first home game at full capacity. Fortunately for DC United, the home crowd wasn’t enough to stop them as they got out to an early 2 goal lead in the first half and closed out with another goal in the second to take home the win 3-0. Here are 3 takeaways for DC United.
DC Finally Finds the net
Until this point, DC United has lacked real finishing ability and they’ve struggled to get goals. 8 games into the season and DC ranks towards the bottom of the league in goals scored with only 5. They also rank toward the bottom in chances created. They’re pressing and moving the ball well, finding ease getting it into the final third, but that’s where things fall apart. In Fort Lauderdale however, DC was finally able to get over the hump.
The biggest difference for DC was the return of Ola Kamara. Kamara got his first start of the year and he immediately showed he belonged. DC United had been lacking a true striker up top all year and the goals showed. Kamara changed that within the first 15 minutes.
A poor giveaway by Miami in their own third saw Kamara directly in front of goal with the ball at his feet and no one around. He calmly looked up spotted his shot and unleashed it, giving DC the 1-0 lead. His second goal came midway through the second half when Paul Arriola, just outside the box, curled one into Kamara at the back post who headed it home with confidence. This play, and more, was enough for Kamara and Arriola to make Team of the Week.
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Both of his goals were typical striker goals, the type of goals DC united had been lacking. Kamara brings that strong focal point up top and he’s shown he can put balls in the net. Since coming to DC, Kamara never really found his footing nor was he able to stay healthy. Now as the most experienced striker on DC United’s roster, he’s in a good position to have a strong year if he can continue to score goals.
DC United too fast for Miami
Inter Miami just couldn’t keep up with DC United. DC came out with great energy to start the match and took it right to Miami. They pressed hard and early and were able to force Miami to make mistakes and DC capitalized on them. DC United found a lot of success moving the ball down the wing. Paredes and Gressel played the wingbacks and Perez and Arriola up top. Arriola had a solid game getting a goal and an assist on the night.
Miami had some early chances but overall wasn’t able to disrupt or slow down DC and they found themselves down 2 goals early and couldn’t get enough momentum to ignite a comeback.
DC United is getting more and more comfortable in the Losada system. They had 13 shots on goal, 11 of them came from inside the box. They created 16 chances, compared to Inter Miami’s 6. It’s night and day for DC compared to their previous games this season. They will hope to keep that finishing touch when they take on Miami again.
The team is getting healthier
DC has been decimated with injuries all year but it appears they’re finally rounding the corner on a healthy squad. DC welcomed back Bill Hamid, Donovan Pines, and Ola Kamara. A huge boost for DC each of those players can be inserted directly into the starting lineup.
Hamid, the longtime DC united and USMNT Goalkeeper and one of the best in the league. Pines, a 23-year-old homegrown has established himself as the top center back on the team next to Birnbaum. And Kamara, the 31-year-old stiker and MLS Veteran. These are huge players for DC to welcome back and Instant contributors. This gives Losada more wiggle room and flexibility in his lineups and creates more options for certain players to get needed rest.
Unfortunately, DC United lost another player to injury in Edison Flores. Flores went down early against Philadelphia with a hamstring injury and is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks.
DC United will meet Inter Miami again next game, this time, at Audi Field when both teams return from the international break on June.19.