D.C. United (13-10-6, 45 points) ended a three-game losing streak with a late goal to secure a 1-1 draw against the Colorado Rapids (8-10-10, 34 points) before 15,943 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Steven Birnbaum headed in a cross from Fabián Espíndola in the 87th minute after Bobby Burling had put the Rapids ahead in the 28th minute.
The Black-and-Red can clinch a place in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs with a victory over Columbus Crew SC at RFK Stadium on Sept. 19. Other potential playoff-clinching scenarios will be determined following the completion of matches on Sept. 13.
D.C. United returns to action on Sept. 15 against Árabe Unido in 2015-16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League play at RFK Stadium (FOX Sports 2, 8 p.m.).
D.C. United utilized its 27th different starting lineup in 29 games.
D.C. United earned its second straight draw at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. D.C. United is 18-13-9 all-time against the Rapids, 6-10-4 at Colorado.
D.C. United is now 7-8-2 when allowing the first goal and 5-5-2 when trailing at halftime.
D.C. United is now 4-8-3 on the road in 2015.
Steven Birnbaum recorded his second goal of the season.
Fabián Espíndola made his first start since Aug. 1, a span of four games.
Fabián Espíndola recorded his team-leading sixth assist of the season.
In 12 games with Espíndola this season, D.C. United is 7-3-2 and has outscored teams 22-13.
Bill Hamid finished with five saves, improving his league-leading saves percentage to .786.
D.C. United scored its 11th goal in the final 15 minutes of a match. United has scored 24 of its 36 goals in 2015 after halftime.
*Head Coach Ben Olsen’s overall record is now 62-74-41. He is 3-1-3 vs. Colorado.
Quotes are available here.
Highlights
Burling goal
Birnbaum goal
D.C. United (13-10-6, 45 points) vs. Colorado Rapids (8-10-10, 34 points)
MLS regular season
Sept. 12, 2015 – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colo.
Attendance: 15,943
Goals by Period 1 2 Total
D.C. United 0 1 1
Colorado Rapids 1 0 1
Scoring Summary:
COL – Bobby Burling 2 28’
DC – Steven Birnbaum 2 (Fabián Espíndola 6) 87’
Misconduct Summary:
COL – Vicente Sánchez (caution, unsporting behavior) 65’
D.C. United lineup:
Bill Hamid, Taylor Kemp, Steven Birnbaum, Bobby Boswell, Sean Franklin; Chris Rolfe (Chris Pontius 80’), Perry Kitchen, Markus Halsti (Michael Farfan 74’), Nick DeLeon; Fabián Espíndola, Álvaro Saborío (Jairo Arrieta 70’).
Unused Substitutes: Andrew Dykstra, Conor Doyle, Luke Mishu, Kofi Opare
Colorado lineup:
Clint Irwin, Maynor Figueroa, Drew Moor, Bobby Burling, Sean St. Ledger, Lucas Pittinari, Sam Cronin, Dillon Powers (Jared Watts 75’), Vicente Sanchez, Dillon Serna (Dominique Badji 64’), Kevin Doyle (Nick LaBrocca 89’)
Unused Substitutes: Gabriel Torres, Juan Ramirez, Zac MacMath, Marlon Hairston
Referee: Sorin Stoica
Assistant Referees: Claudio Badea, Andrew Bigelow
Fourth Official: Mark Kadlecik
