WASHINGTON – D.C. United climbed into the top spot in both the Supporters’ Shield and Eastern Conference standings with a comeback win over Orlando City SC on Wednesday evening, as Kofi Opare’s set-piece header and a delicate volley from second-half substituteChris Rolfe earned the Black-and-Red a 2-1 win on a crisp night at RFK Stadium.
The win stretches United’s unbeaten run at home to 18 across all competitions and leaves them unbeaten in their past eight league encounters.
The crowd of 12,532 appeared to be in for an upset as Cyle Larin put the visitors in front early with an instinctive strike in the 11th minute. Darwin Ceren’s attempt at goal from the top of the penalty box was deflected, falling directly into the path of the rookie forward, who quickly collected the loose ball and smashed it home with his right foot from just inside the 18.
United challenged early with a fourth-minute Luis Silva blast from distance that never challenged Orlando City goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, and a point-blank Chris Pontius effort two minutes later that looked more dangerous, but produced similar results.
Both teams played enterprising soccer throughout the first half but lacked the final ball, the two sides trading half-chances. Rafael Ramos’ 36th minute effort from 22 yards out had pace, but missed the far post by several feet. Silva — making his first start of the season for D.C. — combined well with Pontius but had similar trouble with the final product.
Already missing starting forward Fabian Espindola to injury, United head coach Ben Olsen did his best to shake things up just after halftime, removing Silva — who is likely still building towards full fitness — and inserting Rolfe in his place. Rookie midfielder Miguel Aguilar soon followed, entering the match in the 66th minute.
The moves paid dividends. Aguilar got involved quickly, collecting the ball outside the box and slaloming around three defenders before playing a quick pass to fellow midfielder Nick DeLeoninside the area. DeLeon’s effort was parried away by Ricketts.
United found their equalizer in the 70th. Left back Taylor Kemp lined up a free kick from 40 yards out, bending his service perfectly to the far post, where Opare headed the ball downwards from six yards out. His effort deflected off OCSC defender Sean St. Ledger and eluded Ricketts, tying the match.
Olsen inserted forward Jairo Arrieta shortly thereafter, and United would nab the winning goal on a connection between the Costa Rican and Rolfe.
Arrieta collected the ball along the right channel and curled a dipping cross to the far post and Rolfe timed his run perfectly, floating away from Orlando substitute center back Tyler Turnerand meeting the cross with a measured sidefoot volley at the six-yard box.
A sprawling Ricketts got a touch on the shot but could not keep it out, sentencing the Lions to their fifth loss in their last eight matches.
D.C. will have little time to enjoy the victory, as they’ll travel up I-95 to meet the Philadelphia Union on Sunday. Orlando will welcome the defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy to the Citrus Bowl earlier that same evening.
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