D.C. United used a dramatic stoppage time goal to roar back to a 2-2 draw against the visiting Houston Dynamo in their first Home Away From Home match Saturday afternoon at the Maryland SoccerPlex.
Luciano Acosta one-timed a header from Frédéric Brillant just outside the six yard box past Houston goalkeeper Chris Seitz in the seventh minute of stoppage time to level things up. The goal was Acosta’s first of the 2018 regular season and came during the Argentine's first start of the season.
United fell behind early in the first half when Houston jumped ahead thanks to goals from Alberth Elis and Mauro Manotas. Though United controlled the run of play through most of the first 45, Houston made the most of their opportunities to secure a comfortable lead.
Down 2-0 at the half, United found another gear after the break, though.
Darren Mattocks struck first in the 50th minute when a Yamil Asad pass from just outside the penalty area found a streaking Mattocks in the six yard box. After a Houston defender slid past him on a tackle attempt, Mattocks only had Houston goalkeeper Chris Seitz to beat, and did so by firing his shot into the top right corner.
The goal was the Jamaican's second of the season and second in as many games. It was also the first time Mattocks scored in consecutive games since 2014, when he scored in three straight games for the Vancouver Whitecaps from July 16, 2014 to July 27, 2014.
With Houston on the back heel, United upped their energy and aggression and pressed strongly to find the equalizer. As the match went into second half stoppage time it looked as if Houston would escape before Acosta came through in the clutch and found the back of the net for the home side in the final gasps of the match.
United will look to carry that momentum with them on the road when they face the Columbus Crew next Saturday, March 24, at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, OH.
The Black-and-Red return to the DMV for their final Home Away From Home match on Saturday, April 14, when they face the Crew again at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD.
