FC Cincinnati hands D.C. United a 2-0 loss at Audi Field

D.C. United dropped a 2-0 decision to FC Cincinnati at Audi Field on Saturday, a result that pushed their record to 7-12-12 and left them searching for answers going forward.

It was a quiet, frustrating afternoon. United managed just five total shots, with Brandon Servania leading that category. Cincinnati needed even less, totaling three shots from Kévin Denkey, and still walked out with a comfortable win.

The opener came in the 35th minute. Evander picked up a pass from Pavel Bucha and curled a right-footed strike from outside the box into the top left corner. A beautiful goal. United had no reply before halftime.

Seven minutes into the second half, any hope of a comeback effectively vanished. Cincinnati broke quickly, Evander found Tom Barlow in transition, and Barlow buried a right-footed shot from the centre of the box into the top right corner. Two goals, two well-taken finishes, and the game was over as a contest.

United's defense worked hard without much reward. Lucas Bartlett led the team with 15 defensive interventions, a number that tells its own story about how much pressure the back line absorbed. Kye Rowles completed 61 accurate passes to lead D.C. in that category.

For Cincinnati, Nick Hagglund was everywhere. He recorded 57 accurate passes and a game-high 16 defensive interventions, anchoring a visiting side that controlled large stretches of the match despite their modest shot total.

FC Cincinnati improved to 11-9-11 with the win. United sit at 7-12-12, and Barlow's finish from the centre of the box in the 52nd minute remains the last thing they'll want to watch on tape.