After all that — a wild 2-2 result at Kansas City for D.C. United (yes, another typically unsatisfying draw — United’s MLS-leading 13th this season) — they were left only to root first for Dallas to draw — not win or lose — at Seattle and for New England to draw or lose on Sunday.
Unfortunately, United can watch football instead. Because Dallas lost to Seattle, United lost a combined tiebreaker against Colorado and Real Salt Lake at 40 points in a battle for the final two postseason berths. It doesn’t matter what happens to the Revolution. If Dallas had tied, a four-team tiebreaker would’ve ensued, actually putting D.C. in a tentative playoff spot, assuming again the Revs had lost.
No matter now…
It certainly felt like last year earlier tonight when Julius James hit the post with a header off a corner kick before — United, of course, hit the woodwork three times in last year’s season-ending 1-0 loss at Columbus. And then, also in similar fashion, the Wizards went ahead courtesy of Kei Kamara.
But United fought back with some really interesting roster moves – Jaime Moreno off the bench for an injured Christian Gomez in the first half, Ben Olsen off the bench for Danny Szetela to open the second half, and Boyzzz Khumalo replacing again ineffective Luciano Emilio early in the second half — before actually getting on the board with a Moreno penalty kick after Fred drew contact in the box.
The night came full circle for James, who nodded in the potential game winner, but then it came full circle for Fred, too, who caused a penalty and was red-carded in second-half stoppage time after sticking his elbow into a shot as he was standing on the post. Claudio Lopez knotted the game at two, and then in fitting fashion, Rodney Wallace hit the post once more before the final whistle.
Now what? The questions begin in earnest. Who stays, who goes, on the field and on the sideline. Will this team be blown up? Should it? United’s awards reception is Tuesday. It won’t be a happy occasion.
