I don’t think I was the only D.C. United fan who walked into RFK Stadium expecting a win over Columbus Crew SC. The Crew were struggling, after all, and United showed a knack for bouncing back last season after defeats. Luciano Acosta was back in the lineup. The cold, rainy conditions favored United against their possession-hungry visitors. It looked like this was going to be the night that the Black-and-Red got their season going.
So much for that. By the time this one was over, Patrick Mullins had picked up a hamstring strain that will keep him out for a little while, fans switched from asking for a goal to demanding a goal, and United saw their most likely USMNT representative concede two penalty kicks en route to a 2-0 loss.