All forces seemed to conspire against D.C. United on Sunday at Audi Field.
Wayne Rooney was home sick after a week in which he announced he would not return next season. The mixed lineup — with a newcomer, players out of normal position and starters missing because of injury — was on its heels almost all night against Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Possession was fleeting and scoring opportunities elusive.
But with the season slipping away, United mustered the effort and courage — not to mention two goals against the run of play and sterling goalkeeping by Bill Hamid — to escape with a 2-1 victory before a sellout crowd of 20,006.