Lamar Neagle secured a brace for D.C. United on Saturday, helping his club earn three massive points in a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC at BMO Field.
Jozy Altidore opened the scoring for the Reds, receiving a pass from Armando Cooper and muscling his way through defenders and past United goalkeeper Bill Hamid in the 36th minute. D.C. did not take long to respond, leveling the game just three minutes later thanks to a point-blank header by Neagle.
TFC set the tempo for the majority of the first half but could not find another goal, and Neagle broke the draw in the 58th minute taking a beautiful pass from midfielder Lloyd Sam and besting TFC goalkeeper Clint Irwin with a cool finish.
Toronto sent wave after wave of attack, but the away side held on thanks to solid defending and elite goalkeeping from Hamid.
- TOR: Toronto FC drop crucial points at home; path to Conference victory narrows
- DC: United rise to 4th place in Eastern Conference with shock win at Toronto
Box Score
- 36’ – TFC – Jozy Altidore (Armando Cooper)
- 39’ – DC – Lamar Neagle
- 58' – DC – Lamar Neagle (Lloyd Sam)
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Three Things
- NEAGLE STRIKES TWICE: Lamar Neagle was simply massive for D.C. on Saturday night, no bones about it. D.C. did not get a ton of chances, but when they did Neagle made no mistake. The brace marks Neagle’s first of 2016, his last coming April 2015. Neagle now has nine goals heading into the final month of the regular season.
- HAMID HOLDS ON: With D.C. absorbing a ton of pressure in the latter stages of the match, Bill Hamid was called upon to make multiple difficult saves. Per usual, Hamid delivered, utilizing his large frame to get big on numerous shots from right in front of his goal. Where would United be without their last line of defense?
- MISSED OPPORTUNITY UP TOP: With NYCFC securing three points in Houston on Friday night and the New York Red Bulls squeaking past the Philadelphia Union earlier Saturday, TFC could have desperately used at least a point at BMO Field. Yet the Reds came away with nothing, and now trail the New York clubs by two points in the Eastern Conference standings. They face a potential Knockout Round match if they cannot move up from their spot in third, as the top two finishers receive a bye to the Conference Semifinal.
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