Wayne Rooney had just settled into a suite-level seat Saturday night — his standard perch until he receives a work visa that will allow him to begin coaching D.C. United — when misery struck before a minute had elapsed at Audi Field.
Center back Donovan Pines failed to settle a simple pass. Romell Quioto surged around goalkeeper Rafael Romo. Pines knocked down the scrambling Romo. The CF Montreal attacker slotted a low shot past the sliding defender.
In this sad season, United’s problems have blanketed the 90-minute canvas. But on this humid night, the tone was set in 44 seconds.