D.C. United got a game-winning goal from Chris Odoi-Atsem in the 78th minute, spurring them to a 2-1 victory over FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium in a Week 19 match that featured goals resulting from a pair of goalkeeping errors.
The result meant that D.C. United kept their playoff hopes alive, now just five points out of the final playoff spot in the East with four matches to play. They are just one point behind FC Cincy, who missed a huge opportunity at home to move closer to the playoff line.
D.C. opened the scoring in the 36th minute after a gaffe from Cincinnati backstop Bobby Edwards that saw him attempt to catch a free kick that was heading out of play. But he fumbled the ball back into the box and it landed directly in front of Donovan Pines, who took the easy finish into the open net for a second straight game with a goal.
The visitors had a good look at doubling that advantage at the end of a 55th-minute counterattack that saw Edison Flores send in a cross that found Erik Sorga unmarked at the far post. But FC Cincy goalkeeper Edwards managed to deflect away the point-blank attempt to maintain a 1-0 deficit.
Cincinnati would then find their momentary equalizer in the 66th minute, as D.C. United goalkeeper Chris Seitz coughed up the ball on a distance shot by Siem de Jong, allowing Brandon Vazquez to swoop in and cash home the rebound.
The match opened up considerably after that, with both teams having looks at a potential game-winning goal. It was D.C. who would find the winning strike, as substitute Kevin Paredes unleashed a rocket shot that was initially saved by Edwards, but smashed home on the rebound by Odoi-Atsem for the decisive goal.
Goals
- 36' - DC - Donovan Pines | WATCH
- 66' - CIN - Brandon Vazquez | WATCH
- 78' - DC - Chris Odoi-Atsem | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: In a matchup between the two teams at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table, both sides really needed all three points in this one to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. In that sense it's mission accomplished for D.C. United, although they'll need to keep stacking up the points during the stretch run to finish the job.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: A draw wouldn't have done either of these teams any good, and Odoi-Atsem's winner ensured that D.C. wouldn't have to settle for just one point.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: It was also Odoi-Atsem's first career MLS goal, and he helped the DC defense see out the victory from his right back spot. The University of Maryland product gets the honors for this one.
Next Up
- CIN: Saturday, Oct. 24 vs. Minnesota United (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
- DC: Saturday, Oct. 24 at Atlanta United (4 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
