AUSTIN — D.C. United’s dim playoff hopes were all but crushed in the first 21 minutes Wednesday at Q2 Stadium. One Austin FC player was left alone in the penalty area for a goal, then another, and just like that, against hosts who had not won in almost three months, Wayne Rooney’s bumbling bunch was staring at another long offseason.
United is not officially out of the MLS race, but with this 3-0 calamity, the end is near.
D.C. (9-14-10) has played more games than all others vying for the last two Eastern Conference berths, and even by beating New York City FC in its finale Saturday, United is almost certain to be overtaken that day or on Oct.