DC United end 4 year drought against Philadelphia Union
DC United got a big win Saturday night. They ended their 3 game losing streak and, ended a 4-year winless drought against the Philadelphia Union that stretched 10 games. Losada went with a similar lineup as he did against Atlanta. Kevin Paredes came in for Mora in the left wingback role with Yordy Reyna sliding in further ahead of him at the left forward spot.
DC United got out to a really quick and dominant start, they were attacking relentlessly and wouldn’t give Philadelphia any room to operate. They controlled possession and dictated the pace early. DC had Philadelphia on the backfoot early and continuously created chances forcing the Union to make crucial defensive stops. After begrudgingly fighting DC United’s constant pressure Phildephia was able to create some offense. In that short transition of Philidelphia settling in, they socred. DCs fast pace worked against them when they were caught out after committing too many bodies forward. DCs constant pressure is good for creating chance after chance but requires the transition to defense to be near perfect. A cross into the box then some quick passing and the ball ricocheted off of Birnbaum for an own goal.
That didn’t discourage DC United, who instead went right back to dominating the game. Before the end of the first half with some fancy footwork from Yordy Reyna, DC United won a penalty, which Ola Kamara slotted home for his 12th goal of the season. That 12th goal for Kamara put him tied for 2nd place in the current MLS golden boot race.
Coming out of the 2nd half, DC United continued to have the gas on. After a deflected save from Andre Blake, Yordy Reyna got himself a goal, his second in as many weeks. Going up 2 – 1 and dominating most of the game Losada opted to go more defensive the rest of the way while still looked to create chances when they could. DC United stayed focused and kept Philadelphia out of the game all the way until the end when United found its third from Ramon Abila off the bench in the 95th minute.
It was a strong game from DC, they finished the game with an expected goals of 2.85. They had 14 total shots 9 of them on target. 11 chances created and 17 interceptions. Losada said their first 20 minutes was exactly how it’s supposed to be. They stuck to their game plan and stuck to their identity, even against an opponent they haven’t beaten in 4 years and came away with the win.
Four goals in his last six outings. @yordy_10 is on a roll.#DCU | @Heineken pic.twitter.com/bUnvDey0nv
— D.C. United (@dcunited) August 29, 2021
Yordy Reyna needs to be in the starting lineup
Yordy Reyna had a great game in the starting lineup against the Union. He finished with a goal, 4 shots 3 on target, 92% passing accuracy and he earned a penalty. After scoring a goal off the bench last game, he got the start against Philadelphia this week. He showed a lot of confidence in that game, he looked very smooth and calm on the ball. He seemed quite comfortable in his starting role and after his performance, he should remain there. He was DC United’s man of the match and the most fouled player of the game. His 92 passing success was the best of any forward.
He showed good chemistry with Kevin Paredes as well. He and Paredes linked up many times down the flank causing a lot of disruption for the Union. Their overlapping and compound running put pressure on Philadelphia’s defense and the quick turnovers in the Losada system helped them exploit that. His tight footwork earned DC a penalty which led them to their first goal and, shortly after the second half started he scored his 4th goal of the year giving DC United the lead. Reyna is in hot form right now and in a contract year and needs to stay in the lineup.
It was a big win for DC United
A record for not beating a team continuously for years is a great record to end. Going back to 2017 DC United hadn’t been able to find the win against Philadelphia, until now. They did in dominant fashion as well dictating the game from start to finish and holding the Union to only one goal, an own goal.
Other than some great saves from Union keeper Andre Blake, DC was too much for Philadelphia. their pressure and ability to push bodies forward was suffocating to Philadelphia. DC United came away with the three points keeping them just inside the playoffs at seventh. The Philadelphia Union move into fifth place.