D.C. United reached the midway point of the MLS regular season Saturday night with a hearty performance belying its turbulent spring.
United scored twice in an early 17-minute span after going 495 minutes between its previous two goals. The improving defense played with resolve, Luis Barraza made a key late save, and visiting United startled FC Cincinnati, 2-1.
Gabriel Pirani picked up where he left off in a midweek affair and Conner Antley scored his first goal in 5½ years as D.C. (4-7-6) ended a five-game MLS winless streak and handed Cincinnati (9-5-3) its first loss in eight dates at TQL Stadium.