Since D.C. United has a break this weekend, I had the opportunity to travel up to Germantown, MD to watch D.C. United Women take on the Dayton Dutch Lions. It was the Olympic send-off match for United defender Becky Sauerbrunn and the last home match of the regular season. Three second half goals, along with a first half strike, gave D.C. United Women the 4-1 win over Dayton.
For those of us dedicated fans who have been keeping track of D.C. United Women this season, it’s definitely been one to remember. This team has been virtually unstoppable since their first match. Currently, they have an undefeated record (10-0-1) and are led by some of the best talent in the country. Sauerbrunn is one of the leaders on defense and was called up to be on the prestigious United States Women’s National Team squad for the Olympics. Some other notable players for United are Lianne Sanderson, Mikaela Howell (both from England), and the young Ashley Herndon.
Against Dayton, the whole match was pretty much one-sided. Most of the action occurred in United’s attacking third with numerous chances for the Black and Red early on. Finally, in the 34th minute, England international Lianne Sanderson found the back of the net to give United the 1-0 lead. However, just before halftime, Dayton’s Jen Agueci gave the visitors an equalizer after a crazy series of shots and blocks inside the box. That goal was actually just the second goal allowed all season by keeper Danielle DeLisle, who pushed her win count to five between the pipes.
The Dayton goal seemed to wake the Black and Red up in the second half. In a span of just five minutes, United scored three goals to virtually put the match away. Goals were scored by Sauerbrunn, Andi Sullivan, and Ashley Herndon. Sullivan has been a part of the U17 US Women’s National Team and she looked every bit of it. The 16-year-old from Virginia showed her talents multiple times on the pitch, including a rocket shot which deflected off a Dayton player to give United their third goal. Sullivan definitely has a bright future ahead of her.
After Herndon’s goal, which pushed the score to 4-1 and pretty much iced it, United put it in cruise control. Coach Mike Jorden substituted Sauerbrunn with roughly ten minutes to play which let the defender receive a standing ovation from the 703 United fans who attended the match.
With the win, D.C. United Women not only clinch the Atlantic Division, but they also clinch the number one seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. That means they will host the playoffs on July 21-22. So if you’re in the area, circle those days in your calendar and get out there to support them! It’s a good family friendly atmosphere that provides good entertainment.
Personally, I had a fantastic time at the match. The Maryland Soccerplex is a great facility, and hopefully D.C. United Women will remain there for a long time. Heck, maybe one day if D.C. United can get a stadium, they can share and have double-headers. I also had the chance to run into one of the early legends of US Soccer, John Harkes, which was also an experience I won’t soon forget.
United’s last match of the season will be against the Virginia Beach Piranhas on July 14th. Earlier this season, D.C. won 2-0 over the Piranhas at home. This time, they will look to complete an undefeated season in just their second season as an organization.
(image courtesy of DC United Women)
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