D.C. United 2-1 Columbus Crew — Tai Baribo delivered a decisive first-half brace as D.C. United claimed a hard-earned Major League Soccer victory over Columbus Crew at Audi Field on Wednesday night.
United made their moments count despite spending long spells without the ball. Columbus controlled 72 percent possession and outshot the hosts 16-10, but D.C. were sharper in the penalty area and built a two-goal interval lead through Baribo.
The breakthrough arrived in the 24th minute, when Baribo found the net to put D.C. United in front. The forward doubled the advantage in the 37th minute, finishing again to give the home side a commanding 2-0 cushion at half-time.
Columbus responded quickly after the restart. Santiago Rodríguez pulled one back in the 49th minute, injecting urgency into the Crew’s second-half push and setting up a tense finish in Washington.
The visitors continued to press, winning five corners and creating 15 shot assists, while D.C. defended their box and protected their narrow advantage. D.C. goalkeeper Sean Johnson was booked in the 90th minute of a closing spell that reflected the pressure on the home side, but United saw out the seven minutes of added time to secure all three points.
D.C. United finished with five shots on target from 10 attempts, compared with Columbus’ four on target from 16 shots. Baribo’s clinical double ultimately separated the sides in a fixture where Columbus had more of the ball but D.C. had the defining finishing.
D.C. United return to action on Saturday, September 12, against Atlanta United FC. Columbus Crew will look to respond on the same day when they face Red Bull New York.
