In a match between two clubs scuffling through the 2013 campaign, Toronto FC rallied from an early hole and then outlasted homestanding D.C. United on Saturday to snap an 11-game winless streak with a 2-1 at RFK Stadium.
Robert Earnshaw scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season in the 30th minute for Toronto (2-7-5) and D.C. United coughed up an own goal off the head of defender Daniel Woolard in the 41st to erase a penalty kick from Dwayne De Rosario in the 19th minute.
The loss extended DC's winless streak to 13 consecutive matches, a club record.They have led for a total of just 41 minutes this season.
After a collection of missed opportunities in an energetic opening five minutes, United’s Nick DeLeon made an inspired run down the center of the field in the 18th minute. Just as DeLeon reached the box, he was clipped by Toronto defender Gale Agbossoumonde and fell forward. Referee Hilario Grajeda immediately pointed to the spot, awarding United their first penalty kick of the season.
De Rosario, who scored a hat trick in United’s Open Cup win on Wednesday, beat goalkeeper Joseph Bendik low and to his right in the 19th minute to give D.C. its first lead since March 9.
The lead, however, was short-lived. Defender Steven Caldwell delivered a strong ball toward the box on a free kick, where Earnshaw was one-on-one against defender Brandon McDonald and, despite yielding five inches to the taller McDonald, Earnshaw headed the ball by D.C. ’keeper Bill Hamid to level the match, 1-1.
Toronto took the lead for good shortly before the break when Luis Silva sent a free kick into the box that deflected off the head of Daniel Woolard and by Hamid for United’s third own-goal of the season, and their second set-piece mistake of the match.
Bendik loomed large for TFC in the second half with a sprawling save on DeLeon’s attempt in the 47th minute. In the 58th minute DeLeon crossed a ball to De Rosario, which he chipped on goal, but Bendik threw his hand up to deny DC’s captain. De Rosario left the match in the 70th minute.
Toronto picked up their first road win of the season as they moved one point behind Chicago for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, DC remain in last place and fell to 1-6-1 at home in a match where former D.C. teammates Ryan Nelsen and Ben Olsen coached against one another for the first time.
United plays host to San Jose next Saturday. Buy tickets.
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Match Stats (MLSsoccer.com)
OPTA Chalkboard (MLSsoccer.com)
