2017 Preseason Recap: United v. Montreal Impact

In the first match of the 2017 Rowdies Suncoast Invitational, D.C. United lost 4-2 to the Montreal Impact at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida.  The match was the first the Black-and-Red have lost this preseason dating back to the earlier camp in Bradenton, Fla.

United went 1-0 down in the 6th minute after Dominic Oduro picked up a rebound and converted from inside the six-yard box. United center back Steve Birnbaum then equalized five minutes later with a powerful header off a Lloyd Sam corner.

United went behind again after goalkeeper Travis Worra was called for a foul in the box and Ignacio Piatti scored from the penalty spot to give Montreal a 2-1 lead going into halftime.

Matteo Mancosu scored a third goal for Montreal in the 53rd minute, but Patrick Nyarko pulled one back three minutes later when he got a crucial touch on a Jared Jeffrey shot to redirect the ball and put it past Evan Bush. Anthony Jackson-Hamel added a goal in the 90th minute to secure a 4-2 win for the Impact.

The second half saw a flurry of substitutions as both teams continue their preparations for the 2017 MLS regular season. United made 11 changes in personnel in the second half.  

The Black-and-Red continue to train in Clearwater, Florida prior to playing their second match against United Soccer League (USL) side St. Louis FC on Feb. 22 at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater. 

Starting XI: Worra; Kemp, Franklin, Birnbaum, DeLeon; Sarvas; Nyarko, Acosta, Jeffrey, Sam; Mullins

Substitutions: Klenofsky (45'), Ortiz (58'), Vincent (58'), Boswell (65'), Opare (65'), Robinson (65'), Durkin (65'), Neagle (65'), Harkes (65'), Le Toux (65'), Kamara (81')   

Scoring Summary