DC United 1, Columbus Crew SC 0 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

Alicia Rodriguez

D.C. United rode a first-minute goal, and the contributions of birthday boy Steve Clark late, to win their first game of the 2018 MLS regular season 1-0 over Columbus Crew SC at Navy-Marines Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md on Saturday.

D.C. United got started early, as Ulises Segura scored his first goal in MLS in the very first minute, as a quick passing triangle was played between Luciano Acosta and Paul Arriola before Segura completed it with a blast to the far post.

The task for United became more difficult when Paul Arriola was sent off for a challenge on Artur in the 51st minute, with a yellow card changed to a straight red card upon Video Review by referee Ismael Elfath.

Following the red card, Crew SC pushed for an equalizer, but while they got very close a couple times, Clark stepped up against his old team and made five saves to keep the clean sheet.

Goals

1' – DC – Ulises Segura | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: Whether or not this was a literal "must-win" game for D.C. United, they needed to pick up three points in their final home game before July 14, and they obliged. It wasn't always pretty, but Ben Olsen will look to bottle the effort on display in getting the victory in spite of the red card.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: Fans were still streaming into the stands when Segura scored the goal, and it was exactly the boost D.C. needed to start (and finish) the game strong.