All D.C. United Women needed tonight was a win. With the news before the game that the Atlanta Silverbacks had tied their match earlier in the day, all that stood between United and home field advantage were the Dayton Dutch Lions. Yet despite a tough first half, it wasn’t enough.
It was a performance that embodied what United have been all about this season, teamwork. Winning 4-1 over an outmatched Dayton squad, United also clinched the top spot in the Eastern Division, assuring them the honor of hosting the playoffs this year.
It took a while for the scoring to get going, without any real chances coming in the first 30 minutes, but that didn’t slow down the hottest player in the league. Lianne Sanderson continued her tear through the second half of the season with her 3rd goal in 2 matches scoring in the 34th minute. The goal was a bit of an oddity as she misplayed her first touch and whiffed on the shot, but like the star she is the second touch was right on target putting United up 1-0.
The Dutch Lions made it interesting heading into halftime. On a counter Dayton put the ball into the box, and after multiple clearances and sloppy defensive play by D.C. the ball fell to the foot of Jen Agueci. The goal set the score at 1-1 and put the pressure all back on United.
13 minutes after the restart though that was all gone. Within a five minute period three different United players scored and put the game out of reach for good. It started with Olympian Becky Sauerbrunn slipping it past the keeper in the 53rd minute. 16 year old Andi Sullivan and 17 year old Ashley Herndon followed really close behind with goals in the 56th and 58th minutes to put United up 4-1.
From that point on both teams were content just possessing the ball and waiting to get out of the sweltering heat. Even though the game was decided half an hour before, the final whistle lifted a weight from the shoulders of the United players. With the playoff hunt now behind them it is time to relax.
Next week’s season finale has no consequence for D.C. but could mean everything for their opponents the Virginia Beach Piranhas. With the second place team securing a spot in the playoffs alongside the United, Virginia Beach could be playing for their postseason next weekend.
But let’s not talk about that. Let’s raise a glass to an incredible season for United and wish them best of luck in the playoffs this year.
