The late rebellion ended a nutty night time that started with a 30-minute lightning delay and spoiled the MLS debuts of United’s Taxi Fountas, the membership’s highest-paid participant, and 17-year-old midfielder Jackson Hopkins, who signed a professional contract days earlier. It additionally spoiled United’s finest 45 minutes of the 12 months.
Ola Kamara scored twice for United (2-4-0) however was red-carded seconds earlier than halftime.
United’s Chris Odoi-Atsem changed injured Andy Najar, then left moments later with an harm of his personal.
A customer hit the crossbar from perhaps two yards away. There have been 9 yellow playing cards and eight minutes of second-half stoppage time.
Kamara’s objectives got here within the twenty sixth and fortieth minutes, however he obtained a yellow card for eradicating his jersey throughout a objective celebration and one other card for an unwise problem simply earlier than intermission.
“We made mistakes. I saw certain attitudes,” Losada mentioned. “You can’t get a yellow card by celebrating pulling out your shirt, especially a player with that experience. He scored two very good goals … and then you put yourself out of the game doing that.”
“The team goes always first,” Losada added. “It has to be collective above individual at all times, especially with me as a coach.”
Bill Hamid made a number of nice saves late within the match, however Hoesen volleyed in Diego Fagúndez’s nook kick. Driussi latched onto Hector Jimenez’s go contained in the six-yard field and Gabrielsen’s angled header off Fagúndez’s cross deflected off Hamid’s proper hand and trickled into the online.
“It’s a shame that [after] that first half — which was our best half of soccer this year and felt like the times last year when we were playing at our best — you end up losing,” midfielder Russell Canouse mentioned. “It’s frustrating for us, and I hate letting the fans getting disappointed with results like that after such a good first half.”
With United’s accidents, Hopkins figured to be in uniform, however the beginning task got here as a shock. He had skilled with the primary crew because the fall and performed in preseason matches early this 12 months, scoring towards Miami.
Hopkins, who had deliberate to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was amongst 5 homegrowns within the lineup, becoming a member of Najar, Hamid, Donovan Pines and Chris Durkin.
Hopkins did acquire professional expertise (as an beginner) the earlier two seasons enjoying for D.C.’s second-division squad, Loudoun United.
From the beginning Saturday, he didn’t look misplaced, taking up defenders, stepping into the penalty space and ripping an 18-yarder fractionally off-target.
United’s scoring drought ended within the twenty sixth minute. Nearing the tip line, Julian Gressel crossed to Najar on the again aspect for a centering header that Kamara snapped previous Brad Stuver from 10 yards. He celebrated by eradicating his jersey to point out a message written to his grandmother, who not too long ago died, in his native Norwegian.
Video assessment nullified Austin’s beautiful objective within the thirty second minute.
Eight minutes later, United prolonged the lead on a wonderfully executed set piece.
Instead of serving a nook kick into the combo, Gressel dropped it again to Durkin, who returned the ball to Gressel for a low cross. From 14 yards, Kamara one-timed it with tempo and precision into the correct aspect of the online for his fourth objective of the 12 months.
During a mad scramble, Austin’s Julio Cascante hit the crossbar from the doorstep.
Kamara’s terrific half ended on a bitter notice with a tough problem, leading to a second yellow card.
United misplaced Najar early within the second half to an obvious hamstring harm. Odoi-Atsem entered. Six minutes later, Odoi-Atsem left with a leg ailment. (He had been listed as questionable with a thigh harm.)
Fountas, who obtained his work visa this previous week, entered within the 58th minute.
The night time, although, was simply getting began.
“Based on the game [performance], we won’t have any problems” recovering from the end result, Losada mentioned. “Based on the result, it’s tough, but we need to bounce back.”
Here’s what else to learn about United’s loss:
Edison Flores and Michael Estrada — high-profile attackers who characteristic for the Peruvian and Ecuadoran nationwide groups, respectively — started the sport on the bench.
Flores, certainly one of two designated gamers, has not met expectations since he arrived in 2020 and entered the night time with no objective or help this season. He has two objectives and eight assists in 34 appearances (26 begins).
Estrada scored twice within the opener towards Charlotte however missed the previous two matches for household causes.
Losada moved Najar from right-sided heart again to left wing again to get him extra concerned within the assault. It labored. Pines made his first begin of the 12 months on the again line.
Left wing again Brad Smith, who began the primary 5 matches, was held out for precautionary causes.
Venezuelan goalkeeper Rafael Romo, who sources say has finalized a contract to again up Hamid, attended the match. He is awaiting a piece visa and anticipated to change into eligible in at the very least two weeks. Romo, 32, was Losada’s teammate at Belgian membership Beerschot in 2017-18. Most not too long ago he was with Leuven in Belgium.