D.C. United starts off the season with a draw at home against Toronto

Boris Enow celebrating his first goal with D.C. United. Photo Credit: D.C. United

D.C. United opened up the season in front of their home faithful Saturday night looking to secure their first three points of the season against an always difficult opponent in Toronto FC. 

In front of a loud and boisterous 16,655 fans in attendance on a cold winter night at Audi Field in Washington D.C. United could only muster a draw in their season debut at home against Toronto with the game finishing in a two-two draw. 

“I think it’s frustrating,” said D.C. United captain Christian Benteke “I think overall it wasn’t a bad game from us, but at the end of the day we took a point at home and it’s frustrating.” 

Newcomers adapting to their new surroundings 

Several players made their debuts for the Black and Red in Saturday night’s game. Two of the debutants were goalkeeper Kim Joon Hong, who arrived in January from Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Hosei Kijima who came to the club via trade from San Diego FC. 

Kim and Kijima were able to impress in their debuts, with Kim making several important saves throughout the match impressing head coach Troy Lesesne. 

“I think if there were some nerves in the beginning, that's to be expected,” said D.C. United head coach Troy Lesesne while talking about Kim’s performance “I thought he settled into the game extremely well and he made some very good saves and you know, we're excited to continue to see him develop.”

While Kijima became important in the midfield, by creating several goal scoring opportunities. 

“He is a guy when you look at the physical data, he's always at the top and he covers so much ground.” said Lesesne talking about Kijima “He does so much dirty work for the team and is a really smart player. He's going to create a few more moments in the attack for us. But it's a good first start for him with DC United and we expect more of him throughout the rest of the season.”

Another debutant that played the full 90 minutes for D.C. was Australian center back Kye Rowles. After the game this is what Rowles had to say about playing in front of the D.C. United faithful for the first time: 

“I enjoyed it a lot.” said Rowles “It was good to be out there in front of the home fans, and it couldn't have started any better to be honest. You know, we came out the traps flying, playing positive football. Unfortunately, we didn't get three points tonight.” 

The Game

D.C. opened up the scoring in the 7th minute, after intercepting the ball in the midfield, Boris Enow was able to steal the ball and take on the Toronto defense, slotting the ball Sean Johnson, netting his first goal with the club. 

“We pressed immediately after the ball, after we lost the ball” said Enow “It helped to create this chance and score the goal.” 

However, Toronto answered back. It was the 27th minute after a pass down the right hand wing, the ball found Henry Wingo running down the wing. Wingo sent a low cross that D.C. Kim was to get a hand to the ball, with the rebound landing at the feet of right back Aaron Herrera, however his clearance found Toronto captain Johnathan Osorio, who was able to one-time the ball into an open net to tie up the match. 

“I saw my teammate Henry Wingo had the ball on the wing,” said Osorio, “I saw an opportunity to get into the area. Luckily the ball bounced off the defender and scored a very easy goal. The truth is a goal is a goal.” 

D.C. was to regain the lead in the 34th minute. After a long ball that was played from United’s own half, Lucas Bartlett sent a 60-yard pass to Jacob Murrell who was deep in Toronto territory. Murrell sent a cross into Toronto’s own box finding Benteke inside the box. The Belgian striker was able to tower a TFC defender and head the ball past Johnson to open his scoring account for the season. 

“I think as a forward it’s important to score as soon as possible.” Benteke said. 

In the 71st minute Toronto was awarded a penalty after a foul on Richie Laryea inside the box. The foul went to a VAR check to reverse the call. However, the referee of the match Sergii Bolko went and reviewed the call, and the penalty call stood. Former Juventus striker Federico Bernadeschi stepped up to take the ensuing penalty shot and did not miss from the spot, going the opposite side of Kim and tying the game at two all, which would be the final scoreline. 

“They know we left some points out there, and we have to address that,” Lesesne said of his players. “And if we don’t, then we’re not going to be in the position that we want to as the season progresses.”

D.C. now travels to Chicago for their first road game of the season as they take on the Chicago Fire, next Saturday March 1st. Kickoff is slated for 8:30 pm.