Most goal-scorers explode into life after they find the net – leaps, fist pumps, racing away to celebrate with fans, perhaps even performing a few dance moves.
But there was nothing of the sort from Danny Allsopp at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday night.
When the big striker scooped the ball into the net to hand D.C. United a hard-earned lead over the Colorado Rapids just before halftime, it represented a major breakthrough for him and his team. However, he simply turned and walked back towards the center circle as his teammates arrived to congratulate him.
WATCH: FULL MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
“With the way this season has gone and everything, it was nothing to really get too excited about,” he explained after the match. “It was 1-0 and we still had a long time in the game to go. I didn’t feel like getting too carried away.”
Most United fans will have identified with Allsopp’s level-headedness. Too many times during this difficult season, they’ve watched their side start well only to botch leads with late errors and breakdowns.
On Saturday, however, the Black-and-Red seemed to take a cue from the big Australian up top, doggedly protecting their lead in the second half to secure a shock win over the playoff-chasing Rapids.
Allsopp had been stymied by Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens in an inviting one-on-one situation just moments before his goal. But he stuck to his task and was soon rewarded for his opportunism when Pickens could not hold Andy Najar’s low shot, handing Allsopp a point-blank opportunity that he calmly dispatched.
WATCH: Allsopp's goal
“I was a bit frustrated but I just kept getting into the area. You’ve got to keep trying to get yourself into goal-scoring positions,” Allsopp said. “Luckily, Andy broke down the right and I got another chance.”
United managed the match well with intelligent possession and canny disruptions of the Rapids’ rhythm, but they were also handed a few of the lucky breaks they’ve been missing out on at other moments this year. Most notably, Rapids defender Drew Moor was left completely unmarked at the back post to meet Conor Casey’s flick-on on a late corner kick, only to stab wide with the goal at his mercy.
The 1-0 final result snapped the Rapids’ five-game home winning streak and gave DC their first victory in Colorado in over a decade, an achievement Allsopp noted in typically understated fashion.
“We’re all really pleased. We came over here and we fought hard and we deserved three points,” he said. “I’ve heard that we haven’t had a win out here for a long time or something like that. Not many teams come here and win, so it’s pleasing to come out and get a result.”
