Gabriel Pirani scored a brace as visiting D.C. United snapped their 11-match MLS winless streak on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over New York City FC.
Pirani notched the game-winner in the 77th minute as D.C. United (5-15-9, 24 points) delivered new coach Rene Weiler his first win after draws in his first two matches with the club.
Luis Barraza made three saves for D.C. United against the team for which he played the last six seasons. It was the first win for D.C. United since May 31.
Justin Haak scored for the first time in more than two years for New York City FC (13-9-5, 44 points), who were riding a three-game winning streak and a five-match run without a loss.
The loss is a blow to the postseason hopes of NYCFC, who are in eighth place in the MLS Eastern Conference as they hunt their ninth playoff berth in the last 10 years.
Haak opened the scoring in the 19th minute, receiving a deft backward flick from Maxi Moralez and firing a right-footed shot from the middle of the box just inside the right post.
It was just the second career goal for Haak in his seven seasons with NYCFC. It was the 10th assist this season for Moralez and 84th of his nine-year MLS career.
D.C. retaliated in the 43rd minute off a looping throw-in from David Schnegg. Christian Benteke headed it to the circle to Pirani, who got a clean look after a defensive overcommit by Moralez.
Pirani blasted a shot which caromed off the inside of the right post and into the net for his fifth goal this season.
Benteke also was instrumental in the game-winning tally, feeding a lead pass from midfield to a streaking Pirani, who beat two defenders to the ball and scored with a low right-footed shot just inside the left post.
It was the sixth goal this season for Pirani and his first brace since October of last year.
Midfielders Andres Perea of NYCFC and Aaron Herrera of D.C. drew yellow cards during the match and each will have to sit out one match because of yellow card accumulation.
–Field Level Media
