D.C. United holds on tight to hold off shorthanded Sounders in 2-1 win

D.C. United holds on tight to hold off shorthanded Sounders in 2-1 win

D.C. United’s 2-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday night turned swiftly and severely, from a deficit at even strength to a tied match with a man advantage and, before long, a lead that would hold up through an uncomfortable second half.

Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei received a red card in the 28th minute for a takedown in the box. Christian Benteke cashed in from the penalty spot and, late in the opening half, the Belgian striker scored again in front of 18,223 at Audi Field.

United (3-3-4) ended a three-game winless streak (0-2-1) and won for just the second time since opening day.

Despite playing a man up for more than 60 minutes, United performed as if it were the shorthanded team. The Sounders applied enormous pressure in the second half and threatened to sneak out with a point. Alex Bono’s sensational save in the 88th minute preserved the victory.

After a subpar performance at New York City FC last weekend, United had reason for optimism Saturday. Right back Aaron Herrera and midfielder Mateusz Klich returned from yellow-card suspensions, and rookie forward Jacob Murrell, a first-round draft pick from Georgetown, made his first start after five quality appearances as a sub.

Murrell, not top scorer Benteke, was United’s primary threat for much of the half. He missed a glancing header from close range, forced Frei to make a diving save, attempted a bicycle kick that flew wide and placed a no-look flick on goal.

Seattle (1-5-3) was down three defenders: Alex Roldan and Jackson Ragen were serving red-card suspensions, and Xavier Arreaga was dealt to New England before the transfer and trade window closed Tuesday.

United answered Coach Troy Lesesne’s call for a better start than its slumber in New York, playing with purpose and passion. Opportunities, though, were unfulfilled before and after Seattle’s icebreaker.

In the 14th minute, at the end of a long possession that began in Seattle’s end, Jordan Morris crossed to Léo Chú for an uncontested header past Bono.

Things flipped dramatically when Jared Stroud got behind defender Cody Baker on Christopher McVey’s long ball and was taken down by Frei. Not only did United receive a penalty kick — Benteke converted easily — but Frei was sent off.

Andrew Thomas, who started three matches for the injured Frei early this season, entered. With the Sounders needing to remove an outfield player, Chú was sacrificed.

United took advantage in the 45th minute. Herrera crossed to the back side of the six-yard box. Positioned behind 5-foot-8 Cristian Roldan, the 6-3 Benteke won the aerial battle as if no one was there and powered a six-yard header over the leaping Thomas for his eighth goal in eight appearances.

For a team playing with an extra man, United conceded too much space and possession early in the second half, leading to some anxious moments.

Benteke threatened to complete a hat trick in the 59th minute with a booming side volley that skipped over the crossbar. Lesesne added fresh legs to the midfield by adding Martín Rodríguez for Gabriel Pirani and Jackson Hopkins for Matti Peltola.

But United continued to struggle defensively. João Paulo hit the near post, and Rodríguez’s timely tackle in the box prevented Raúl Ruidíaz from shooting deep in the box.

In the waning moments, Bono extended himself to his left to touch aside Albert Rusnak’s header and Cristian Roldan failed to make solid contact inside the six-yard box.

The end of six minutes of stoppage time brought relief to the antsy crowd and to a D.C. squad that was barely clinging to three points.

Here’s what else to know about United’s victory:

Supporting Canouse

During the pregame team photo, players held up Russell Canouse’s No. 6 uniform — a show of support for the 28-year-old midfielder, who is expected to miss the season after having his colon removed last month.

When the sixth minute passed, fans in the supporters’ groups held up small “6” posts and unfurled a banner that read: “Husband. Father. Fighter. 6 Get Well Soon Russell.”

Birnbaum returns

Captain Steven Birnbaum was in uniform for the first time this season — his 11th with the club — after undergoing knee surgery in February. The center back did not play.

Forward Ted Ku-DiPietro (adductor) and defender Conner Antley (calf) remain sidelined. Lesesne said they would need to make “a lot of progress” to return next week against visiting Philadelphia.

Goalkeeping status

With Tyler Miller (25 starts in 2023) back from last fall’s shoulder surgery, Luis Zamudio will go on loan to a team in the second-flight USL Championship. Miller’s return will “create competition [for the starting job], and that’s a good thing,” Lesesne said.