It’s only one game, against an opponent sandwiched between midweek continental matches, but D.C. United put down a marker Sunday night, sending off the defending MLS Cup champs by a deserved 2-0 margin.

Here are a few observations from a cold, rainy night on Buzzard Point.

We ready.

Put the memory of the final preseason game — a 3-0 loss against Montreal — out of your head. We saw a different D.C. United team Sunday night. One that could hold the ball and win it back and threaten the opponent’s goal for sustained periods.