D.C. United rallies twice to draw with Inter Miami
Even without Messi, an announced sellout crowd of 19,215 was entertained, if not satisfied. The teams combined for four goals in 18 minutes of the second half, with United needing to forge two comebacks against the league’s second-worst side.
A pair of teenagers scored for Miami, in the 59th and 68th minutes, but answers came from Taxi Fountas in the 65th and Nigel Robertha in the 77th. That last goal was scored and assisted (Ruan) by players making their first touches of the game after entering as subs.
“To be honest, it feels like we lost because I think we could have [gotten] the three points,” captain Christian Benteke said.
United squandered opportunities in the first half and lost its defensive grip in the second before rallying twice to salvage a point from the frenzied match.
“Disappointed because I felt we were the better team,” Coach Wayne Rooney said. “We created the better chances. But I think that will be an important point for us coming out of the season, so I’m pleased we didn’t let our heads drop and we kept going and got something out of the game.”
United (8-9-6) failed to bolster its postseason outlook against a Miami team (5-13-3) that is winless in 10 straight (0-7-3). The visitors can hardly wait for Messi and, for that matter, his former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, as well as ex-Barcelona and Argentina coach Gerardo Martino.
Martino, who won the MLS title with Atlanta in 2018, observed Saturday’s match from the suite level and is expected to take charge next Saturday at St. Louis. Interim coach Javier Morales started three teenagers and a 20-year-old and inserted an 18-year-old after a first-half injury.
United’s chances came and went in the first half. Leading scorers Benteke and Fountas, the hero in a midweek victory at FC Dallas, were the chief culprits.
“The game plan was working exactly how we wanted,” Rooney said. “We were getting in behind them, creating chances and I think careless in the final third. … We have to take them.”
United paid the price early in the second half when Robert Taylor worked the left side of the box and slipped the ball back to Benjamin Cremaschi, 18, for a crisp 17-yarder to the far side in the 59th minute.
United answered six minutes later. Lewis O’Brien’s long ball supplied Yamil Asad, who back-heeled to Cristian Dájome. He squared it to Fountas, who pulled the ball from a defender and lifted an 18-yard shot into the right side for his sixth goal.
Miami struck again in the 68th minute, when Noah Allen, 19, drove an angled free kick into the box. Three players failed to make contact, freezing goalkeeper Tyler Miller for a moment. The ball slid into the far corner for Allen’s first career goal.
After another apparent Miami goal was nullified by offside, United tied it again. Ruan and Robertha had just entered when the former crossed to the latter charging to the top of the six-yard box for a running finish. The Dutch forward, who Tuesday returned from a three-month injury absence, recorded his first goal of the year.
Drake Callender made a superb reflex save on Benteke’s shot in the 88th minute, and Benteke threatened twice in stoppage time.
“We’re all frustrated we didn’t finish the game with a win,” midfielder Russell Canouse said. “It felt like a loss in that sense. I’m proud of the guys’ effort to get back in the game, and we had all the chances to win the game.”
Here’s what else to know about United’s draw:
For the third consecutive game, a D.C. player crossed the league’s yellow card threshold for the season, resulting in a one-game suspension. Defender Donovan Pines collected a caution in the 90th minute.
Defender Victor Palsson returned to the lineup after missing three matches to attend to a family matter.
Defender Steven Birnbaum did not play despite being healthy.
“It’s just purely a decision based on the game and what I felt tonight,” Rooney said.
United has sent scouts to the Concacaf Gold Cup, plus Brazil and Uruguay among other South American countries, in search of potential signings during this transfer window, which will remain open until Aug. 2.
The club does not have a lot of money to work with but is seeking depth at left wing back and a central midfielder to fill O’Brien’s roster spot. O’Brien’s loan from Premier League club Nottingham Forest expires July 16; despite weeks of negotiations, United has been unable to extend the deal.
Ideally, a person familiar with the team’s plans said, United will replace the industrious O’Brien with a more attack-oriented midfielder.
Next Saturday, United will visit New England (10-4-7) before pausing its regular season schedule for five weeks to compete in the Leagues Cup, which features every MLS and Liga MX club.
