Christian Benteke’s goal in the first minute of stoppage time Wednesday night capped a brace and led visiting D.C. United to a 3-2 win over Minnesota United.
It was the second straight victory for D.C. United (6-11-8, 26 points) after an 11-match winless skid. Benteke’s feet were all over it as he erased Minnesota’s one-goal advantage in the 90th minute by servicing Aaron Herrera for a tying header.
Moments later, Benteke took care of matters himself as D.C. United won a road match for the first time since May 11, when it dumped Atlanta 3-2. D.C. United earned a 6-1 advantage in shots in the second half Wednesday.
Minnesota (8-10-6, 30 points) grabbed the lead in the 80th minute after a clumsy attempt at clearance gave Robin Lod a chance to set up late sub Teemu Pukki on the box’s right side. Pukki wired a shot off the right glove of goalie Alex Bono for a one-goal margin that didn’t hold up.
The outcome stretched Minnesota’s winless streak to nine matches. It’s 0-7-2 in that span and hasn’t won since June 1.
The main storyline prior to kickoff was Minnesota getting reinforcements for its lineup. Tani Oluwaseyi and goalie Dayne St. Clair returned to the roster after representing Canada during a good run at Copa America.
St. Clair got a difficult test that he couldn’t solve in the 14th minute. D.C. United’s Cristian Dajome picked up a giveaway and sent Benteke into open grass with a nice ball down the right side. Benteke nutmegged one defender and held off another one to beat St. Clair on the box’s right side.
But a whopping defensive gaffe gave Oluwaseyi the chance to equalize in the 32nd minute. A simple header near midfield by teammate Hassani Dotson caught D.C. way out of position. All alone as he navigated down the left side, Oluwaseyi clinically finished inside the box for his team-high eighth marker.
–Field Level Media
