D.C. United’s defense let them down once again on Sunday as the Chicago Fire sprinted to a 2-0 lead in the first half and held on for a 3-2 win in front of 18,652 fans at RFK Stadium. United has now lost three in a row and have but one victory in their last seven matches, not the kind of playoff tune-up coach Peter Nowak wanted.
As bad as it was, it could have been worse. Backup goalkeeper Nick Rimando, subbing in for a strep throat stricken Troy Perkins, saved a penalty kick in the early going that could have had put United in an early hole. Although they managed to escape there, the Fire struck soon after as Gonzalo Segares found the back of the net in the 21st minute. Nate Jaqua soon followed in the 24th minute against a seemingly dazed United backline. Christian Gomez, in top form all day Sunday and clearly ready for the playoffs, pulled United within one in the 34th minute with a beautiful, curving strike that zeroed in on the upper 90 of the far post, soundly beating Chicago keeper Matt Pickens.
Photography by Kyle Gustafson
