DC United and Nashville drew 2:2 in their Major League Soccer encounter on Friday evening. The result keeps the visitors top of the table while the hosts remain in mid-table limbo. and here's the thing — this was a match where the better side had nothing to do for large stretches, then suddenly found themselves chasing the game.
S. Surridge opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute, giving DC United an early lead. S. Mohammed equalised shortly after in the 40th, and then S. Hefti restored the hosts' advantage with a goal in the 56th. It looked like DC United might hold on until T. Baribo's strike in the 77th minute changed everything. by then the momentum had shifted, and the visitors saw the game out.
The statistics tell a familiar story. Nashville dominated possession with 60 per cent but managed only two shots on target. DC United, with just 40 per cent of the ball, registered seven shots on target and had an expected goals tally of 1.74. to be fair the numbers don't always show who creates the better chances — and in this case the less possession meant more clinical finishing.
Five yellow cards were issued across the match, with H. Mukhtar and T. Baribo both cautioned before half-time. The substitutions came in waves toward the end, with L. Munteanu brought on in the 91st minute for Nashville. The game had gone quiet after Baribo's goal, and neither side managed to add a late winner.
Nashville remain in first place with 53 points from 24 games, though this draw does nothing to ease the pressure on their lead. DC United sit 11th with 28 points from 23 matches — and while the draw doesn't hurt, it doesn't help either. They need results like this to become wins if they want to climb.