The Black-and-Red beat New York City FC 2-1 at RFK Stadium on Saturday afternoon to earn their second-consecutive win and avenge their March loss at Yankee Stadium.
United and NYCFC traded chances in the first half, battling for control but failing to break through. The match remained in a nil-nil stalemate at the end of the first 45.
The Black-and-Red struck first when they capitalized on a NYCFC error in the 53rd minute. A defensive breakdown allowed Lloyd Sam to collect a loose ball in the box and fire a shot past New York keeper Sean Johnson, giving United the advantage.
It was a big match for Sam—the winger made his 100th career Major League Soccer start in addition to netting his first goal of the season.
United nearly added another goal six minutes later, when Luciano Acosta showed off his footwork and carved through New York's back line, firing a shot that sailed over the crossbar.
Acosta netted his second goal of the season in the 73rd minute when a Sam shot from the top of the box was deflected by Johnson. Acosta crashed the box and connected with the rebound, sending in his second goal in as many games to give the Black-and-Red the 2-0 lead.
While David Villa pulled NYCFC within one goal in the 84th minute, Bill Hamid and the Black-and-Red back line locked down and stifled any opportunities for an equalizer. The victory moves D.C. United to 3-1-0 against New York City FC at RFK all-time.
