Patrick Nyarko, Jared Jeffrey and Patrick Mullins scored early goals Saturday as D.C. United closed the preseason with a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Union in St. Petersburg, Fla.
In a dress rehearsal for next weekend’s opener against Sporting Kansas City, Coach Ben Olsen played his probable starting lineup for most of the match at Al Lang Stadium: Bill Hamid in goal; Nick DeLeon, Sean Franklin, Steve Birnbaum and Taylor Kemp on the backline; Marcelo Sarvas in defensive midfield behind, from right to left, Lloyd Sam, Jeffrey, Luciano Acosta and Nyarko; and Mullins up top.
The three substitutions were rookie Ian Harkes for Acosta in the 58th minute, Rob Vincent for Sarvas in the 76th and Jose Guillermo Ortiz for Sam in the 82nd.