If the urgency to win Saturday night was not clear enough when the weekend began, D.C. United received unpleasant reminders throughout the day as scores from around MLS turned final.
Amid Eastern Conference bedlam for the final few playoff spots, United could ill-afford anything other than three points. But after an uplifting start, Hernán Losada’s club lost its way and saw its postseason hopes take a near-fatal hit with a 3-1 defeat to the Columbus Crew before 16,787 at Audi Field.
Missing a chance to move into fifth place, United (13-15-5, 44 points) fell into eighth. With the season finale next Sunday in Toronto, D.