The big question — heck, the only question — for D.C. United entering Saturday’s match against FC Cincinnati was how the sickly MLS club would respond after a horrid display last weekend.
The performance in the 1-0 loss at Audi Field was markedly better than the cataclysm in San Jose, but bland nonetheless. Defensive frailty in the first half gave way to attacking inefficiency in the second as United (1-4-3) lost its fourth straight.
Gerardo Valenzuela scored an elegant goal in the 28th minute and Cincinnati (5-2-1) absorbed persistent pressure after intermission before an announced crowd of 16,152.