HARRISON, N.J. — In the five weeks since D.C. United last played a regular season match, a top attacker departed under dark circumstances, a starting midfielder’s loan from an English club expired, and three newcomers arrived.
The All-Star Game came back to Washington, Lionel Messi created a stir, and MLS paused for an international tournament.
In other words, it had been a while.
The resumption of the league campaign, however, brought sorrow and agony for United as the New York Red Bulls’ John Tolkin whipped an 88th-minute free kick around the wall for a 1-0 victory Sunday night at Red Bull Arena.