A late goal from Russell Canouse was the difference on Saturday, as D.C. United played to a gritty 1-0 win over FC Dallas at Audi Field.
The win is monumental for D.C., who move up above the playoff line in the Eastern Conference with the result, vaulting over the Montreal Impact, while extending their unbeaten run to seven games. Dallas remain atop the Western Conference, but their six-game unbeaten streak is snapped.
Wayne Rooney had perhaps the best of D.C.'s chances prior to the goal, with a shot in the opening minutes going just wide, and a long-range free kick just after the hour mark forcing a save from Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez.
Dallas thought they had the breakthrough on a counterattack in the 76th minute, but Michael Barrios' blast was pushed over the goal by D.C.'s Bill Hamid.
Then a free kick from the sideline in the 86th minute by Rooney led to a shot by Canouse that bounced off the crossbar, only for the midfielder to get a second attempt, and his header trickled over the line. It was the defensive midfielder's first goal in MLS.
Goals
- 86' – DC – Russell Canouse | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: In a game where it looked like neither team would find the breakthrough through 85 minutes, D.C. came through with more late magic to finally get into the top six for the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs. Their work is not done, but now they can play with an advantage over Montreal.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: What else? The goal was the difference between an unremarkable result for both sides and a rallying win for the home team.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: On a night where Rooney struggled mightily in front of goal, Luciano Acosta was subdued, and Yamil Asad had the tricks but couldn't find the end product, an unlikely player, Canouse, came through when his team needed him most, and capped off a strong game in midfield with the winner.
Next Up
- DC: Wednesday, October 17 vs. Toronto FC (7:30 pm ET | TSN2 - TV & streaming info)
- DAL: Sunday, October 21 vs. Sporting KC (5 pm ET | TV & streaming info)
