WASHINGTON—With a usual starter injured and two others away with their national teams, D.C. United entered its matchup against visiting Toronto FC with a need to adjust. But United’s initial formation created a vulnerable left side and let Toronto score the opening goal, so more changes arrived throughout the match.
But those tweaks weren’t what saved United from a loss in its 1-1 draw Saturday night at Audi Field. United relied on Wayne Rooney, as it has so often since he arrived a year ago, and this time the club needed his near-automatic ability to score on penalty kicks.