WASHINGTON – An early golazo by D.C. United captain Dwayne De Rosario was cancelled out by a second-half equalizer from Toronto FC's Bobby Convey as the bottom two teams in the Eastern Conference battled to a 1-1 draw at RFK Stadium.
De Rosario’s world-class goal in the 10th minute stood until the 60th when winger Reggie Lambe sent a strong cross into the box that found Convey making the secondary run, for his first of the season.
The Reds (4-12-9, 21 points) and United (3-17-5, 14 points) saw their winless streaks stretched to three matches, but with an Open Cup final still to look forward to, United started the match with good energy and intensified the pressure following Convey’s equalizer only to find an inspired Joe Bendik in goal for Toronto.
De Rosario’s goal was as surprising as it was spectacular. After Perry Kitchen played a ball to the Canadian from the midfield circle, DeRo settled it nicely with his left foot and cut back twice – the second time leaving Toronto midfielder Jonathan Osorio (who subbed out in the 34th minute) at a near stand-still. De Rosario then let loose on a wicked right-footed curler that beat Bendik into the right upper 90.
It was De Rosario’s third goal of the season and first since June 15, when he also scored against Toronto.
Bendik later exacted a bit a of revenge when De Rosario again tried to score from distance, this time with his left in first-half stoppage time, but he was denied by the TFC ’keeper. Overall, Bendik made seven saves in a strong effort for the Reds, who were out-possessed, 61-39, but did come away with two good scoring chances of their own which fell to Andrew Wiedeman in the first half.
Former TFC midfielder Luis Silva – who has scored three goals in five matches since joining D.C. – nearly put United ahead in the 67th minute after his impressive scissors volley at the end of a cross from Chris Korb was deflected away by Bendik. Shortly after, De Rosario delivered a tester off a free kick that Bendik dove to stop.
In the 79th minute, Bendik came up big again and deflected away multiple attempts in traffic, including a point-blank attempt by DC defender Daniel Woolard.
Aside from Convey’s strike, Toronto’s attack was muted in the second half until substitute Robert Earnshaw nearly slipped one by United goalkeeper Bill Hamid, but his shot bounced wide.
United will travel to New York next Saturday (8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network) for a match against the Red Bulls while Toronto welcome New England to BMO Field on Friday (7 ET, MLS LIVE).
MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match
Rank |
Player |
What We Saw |
1 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/joe-bendik" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Joe Bendik</span></span></a> |
Three excellent saves continue to cement his position as Toronto's No. 1. |
2 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/dwayne-derosario" target="_blank">Dwayne De Rosario</a></span> |
The highlight of the night was provided by DeRo, who showed he still has the class he is known for. |
3 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/perry-kitchen" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Perry Kitchen</span></span></a> |
Making positive plays all over the field for DC United on both sides of the ball. |
