D.C. United had three points in the bag against Austin FC, and it felt like we would be talking about a real turning point kind of game. United looked like United for the first time all season during the first half in what was easily their best 45 minutes of the year, and even after Ola Kamara’s red card, they largely moved through the second half unbothered. Austin couldn’t solve the lower block, everything was heading towards an impressive and needed win.
And then, it wasn’t at all! Legitimately great news in the form of Taxiarchis Fountas and Jackson Hopkins both making their debuts will end up being an afterthought around MLS due to United having a 2-0 lead in the 79th minute only to leave Audi Field with a 3-2 loss.