D.C. United will play the next three matches away, which, under better circumstances, would have afforded the luxury of playing more conservatively and accepting a draw or two.
United, however, has settled for a deluge of disappointing ties at home this summer, increasing the importance of winning on the road.
“The urgency,” Coach Ben Olsen said, “is raised in every aspect right now.”
With four draws and a victory in the past five home dates, United (8-5-8, 32 points) squandered a chance to break out from a crowded field in MLS’s Eastern Conference. Overall, D.