You could tell in tonight’s match for the D.C. United Women that the focus lied somewhere else. In a friendly match against Paul Riley’s Women’s Pro SUPERGROUP, a team comprised of top level veterans, United lost 1-0 on a 64th minute goal by Meghan Lenczyk. With an unlimited number of substitutes tonight’s match had more of a scrimmage feel than a competitive match.
On a night in which it was about preservation and not celebration the United Women suffered a relentless attack from the SUPERGROUP during the second half. After a pretty even first half where the teams traded chances, the SUPERGROUP came out with a little more fire after the break.
Getting the start in goal backup Danielle Delisle played a fantastic match. She spent most of the match bending but not breaking, including an onslaught in the 56th minute which included two shots on goal and three straight corner kicks for the SUPERGROUP. In the 64th though the pressure finally got to the United defense.
The SUPERGROUP’s Jasmyne Spencer got a tackle deep in their attacking third and sent a perfect cross into Meghan Lenczyk, who didn’t hesitate in putting it deep into the top left corner of the net. After the goal United started pushing the ball and almost scored a few times in the 89th minute to tie it up, but couldn’t find the goal on the numerous set pieces.
For D.C. the real focus was on tomorrow night’s league match against last place Northern Virginia Majestics. Tonight was all about getting playing time for some subs and reserves.
On the season United are 5-0-0 and look to qualify in first for this season’s W-league playoffs with continued success. Looking past the matchup tomorrow evening United play 3 matches in a span of 6 days, including games against the 2nd and 3rd place teams in the Atlantic Division.
