The local men’s and women’s pro soccer clubs both saw action over the weekend, as newly-acquired forward Alvaro Saborio helped spark D.C. United’s comeback win against the Philadelphia Union, while the Washington Spirit were held to a draw against the Chicago Red Stars despite the return of the U.S. Women’s National Team’s Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris.

D.C. United 3, Philadelphia Union 2

Losers of their two previous MLS matches, and win-less in their last four contests across all competitions, the Black and Red appeared destined for another disappointing result as they got off to an extremely shaky start at RFK Stadium on Sunday.

Just seconds into the match, a careless pass from United’s Chris Korb enabled a quick Philadelphia counterattack, with C.J. Sapong overpowering defender Steve Birnbaum as he turned and put in a right-footed shot from near the penalty spot. Three minutes later, a ball off the foot of the Union’s Sebastian Le Toux, which appeared to be a pass intended for a streaking Sapong, somehow found its way past Birnbaum and diving goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra into the back of the net to double the visitors’ advantage.

Frustration (and wasted chances) mounted as United struggled to get back into the game. In the 32nd minute, Davy Arnaud was taken down in the box by Philadelphia’s Raymon Gaddis, drawing a penalty. Fabian Espindola stepped up to the 12-yard spot, but his penalty kick sailed well over the crossbar.

The Black and Red finally pulled one back in the 37th minute, as Korb’s pinpoint cross found Saborio lurking unmarked just outside the 6-yard box. The Costa Rican forward opened his DCU account in his very first match with the club, putting a deft right-footed finish into the bottom-left corner of the goal.

Given new life, United came out firing in the second half, with Espindola and Chris Rolfe repeatedly launching dynamic attacks along the left flank. In the 65th minute, Rolfe swung the ball to Espindola at the top of the penalty area, and the Argentine forward maneuvered through several defenders, finding space to unleash a low, hard shot on goal. Philadelphia goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre was able to parry it, but D.C.’s Nick DeLeon was there to bang home the rebound from close range for his first goal of the season.

After dodging a bullet when Sapong hit the crossbar on what seemed like a certain goal, United capped their comeback in the 79th minute. Once again, Korb delivered superb service from the right wing, his cross finding a surging Espindola, who leapt over Gaddis to head in the go-ahead strike from the edge of the 6-yard box as the crowd of 19,125 roared in celebration.

Despite his team’s stirring rally, United head coach Ben Olsen mixed criticism with praise during his post-match press conference: “It feels good to win a game, obviously. But there is certainly a little bit of a sour taste. We had a few guys that just weren’t ready to start the game, physically and mentally, and Philadelphia had a bunch of guys ready to play, and sometimes that can be the difference. Fortunately, tonight we were able to come back and get out of that hole.”

Olsen lauded the performances by Arnaud, Rolfe, Espindola, and Korb (“after the first three minutes”), and noted that his new target forward, Saborio, was “exactly what we ordered.”

“He knows how to play that position very well, and I thought the way he maneuvered in the box was fun to watch. He’s strong. His work ethic and the way he led our first line of defense was very good.”

United (11-7-5) remains in first place in MLS’ Eastern Conference, and are even with FC Dallas in the Supporters’ Shield standings with 38 points (though Dallas has two games in hand). The Black and Red return to the pitch on Saturday, as they face Real Salt Lake at RFK Stadium.

Washington Spirit 1, Chicago Red Stars 1

Washington’s Ali Krieger vies with the Chicago’s Christen Press (right) during the Spirit’s 1-1 draw against the Red Stars at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Photo by Francis Chung.

Saturday’s match marked the first National Women’s Soccer League action for the Spirit’s two U.S. Women’s National Team members—defender Ali Krieger and goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris—since the Americans’ captivating run to the World Cup title earlier this summer. The visiting Chicago Red Stars came in with the NWSL’s best record, and a lineup featuring the USWNT’s Julie Johnston, Christen Press, and Lori Chalupny. A near-sellout crowd of 5,100 was on hand at the Maryland SoccerPlex to welcome back their heroes, and they were treated to a tightly-contested match as the two sides battled to a 1-1 draw.

The Red Stars showed their mettle early on, with Press spearheading a couple of scoring chances in the opening minutes, passing into the box to set up Canadian international Adriana Leon for a shot on goal that Harris did well to parry, and then herself receiving a long ball from Johnston and testing Harris with a nifty chip that required an acrobatic reflex save from the Spirit goalkeeper. Press would put Chicago up 1-0 in the 31st minute with a stunning individual effort, uncorking a hard-driven strike from nearly 30 yards out that found the bottom left corner past a diving Harris.

Krieger (who hails from Northern Virginia) was deployed in a defensive midfield position rather than her customary spot at right back, giving her an opportunity to showcase her box-to-box skills. She had a relatively quiet but effective game, helping marshal the Spirit’s build-up play on the attack, while displaying her trademark tenacity on defense.

It would be her teammate Crystal Dunn who would take the spotlight during the second half. The pacy forward (who has 13 USWNT caps and was one of the final cuts from this year’s World Cup roster) threatened to equalize the match in the 56th minute with a powerful left-footed shot that missed the top corner. With the Spirit controlling the bulk of possession from that point on, Dunn relentlessly ran at defenders, putting pressure on a Chicago defense that finally cracked in the 83rd minute.

After midfielder Christine Nairn juked a defender to get off a long-range shot that took a deflection, Dunn was there to pounce on the rebound, touching the ball into the box and putting away the equalizer from 15 yards. As the crowd urged them on, the Spirit attacked furiously to try to steal a win, but a pair of late saves by Red Stars keeper Karina LeBlanc helped preserve the draw.

Washington currently sits in third place in the NWSL standings, with Chicago now second behind the Seattle Reign. The top four teams will qualify for the playoffs. As the league continues to ride its post-World Cup surge in attendance and popularity, the Spirit play again at the SoccerPlex this Saturday, taking on Golden Ball winner Carli Lloyd and the Houston Dash.