For seven months, D.C. United has meandered through the MLS season without winning or losing consecutive games. There have been no definitive spells, one way or the other, but enough draws on the road and thunderous performances at home to extract hope for a playoff berth.
But as the sun sets on a long campaign and the thirst for points deepens amid a crowded race, United can no longer accept starts and stops. Even though Ben Olsen’s gang has lost just once in the past two-plus months, forging a 3-1-6 record, the demand for three-point performances has intensified.