Featured image courtesy of D.C. United, Hannah Wagner.

D.C. United channeled relentless urgency throughout a drama-filled second half to secure a 2-2 draw with Toronto FC in a nail-biter of a match.

19,215 supporters packed Audi Field to catch the last D.C. United match before the international break. Given D.C. United’s late-match grit, the Black-and-Red faithful will likely head into the international break hopeful about what the summer will bring.

Notably, Toronto FC was not able to fly designated player Lorenzo Insigne back from Italy in time for the match. The striker had returned home for the birth of his third child, and his status remained uncertain until Saturday.

However, Federico Bernardeschi was in Toronto’s XI and caused more than enough trouble for the Black-and-Red. The Juventus and Fiorentina alum has been posting great results for Toronto this season. In the past month alone, he’s notched a brace against Dallas and a hat trick against Montréal.

Early in the first half, the Black-and-Red couldn’t employ enough pressure against Toronto. D.C. couldn’t keep play in the Red’s half and came under fire early, as Derrick Etienne Jr. slotted in a crisp pass from Federico Bernardeschi in the 2′.

The Black-and-Red snapped back against Toronto, taking play to their defensive half, but weren’t able to produce a result. While Ted Ku-DiPietro had an opportunity on frame in the 10′, and Christian Benteke fired a header on target in the 11′, Sean Johnson easily made the saves.

In the 21′, the Reds made another dangerous run. Capitalizing on a quick turnover and breakaway, Bernardeschi and Deandre Kerr bore down on D.C.’s Alex Bono, a goal seeming imminent. Quick thinking from Lucas Bartlett saved the day and kept Toronto from netting another goal.

Gritty play continued between D.C. and Toronto. Moments later, in the 23′, a rough collision between Bartlett and Kerr brought training staff onto the pitch.

In the 33′, Bernardeschi found the back of D.C’s net, taking a left-footed shot into the lower left hand corner of the net, easily eclipsing Alex Bono and the Black-an-Red’s defense. Credit for the assist went to Raoul Petretta.

The Black-and-Red headed to the locker room behind two goals, at a disadvantage heading into the next 45′.

D.C. United came into the second half with urgency, knowing the next 45′ would be make or break. Head coach Troy Lesesne made several early substitutions, including Matai Akinmboni at halftime, who was recalled from a loan from Loudoun United.

Lesesne continued to make changes using up [almost all] available substitutions, as D.C. United struggled to find purchase against a tough Toronto team.

Ted Ku-DiPietro had been knocking on the door all night, and his efforts finally paid off in the 79′ as he cleaned up an attempt from Aaron Herrera to tuck the ball in behind Sean Johnson.

Troy Lesesne was confident that Ku-DiPietro would be a key player in moving the Black-and-Red forward as the season continues. He said, “We’re going to need Ku to step up and get goals, create goals, for us, and I’m happy that he was able to get his second goal of the year.”

Ku-DiPietro’s goal ensured Toronto FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson didn’t add to his clean sheet tally against D.C. United. The keeper just hit the 100 clean sheet milestone this past Wednesday when the Reds faced Philadelphia Union. Johnson’s performance this season has been outstanding, and he was called up to the USMNT for matches against Colombia and Brazil in June.

As Toronto went on the attack, Bernardeschi was booked with his second yellow of the night and ejected from the match. Official Jon Freemon had his hands full, passing out cards for infractions left and right as play got chippier between Toronto and D.C. United. After Nicksoen Gomis was shown a second yellow in the 90′ + 3′, Toronto would go down to nine men, opening the match up further for D.C. United to make a move.

Ultimately, Mateusz Klich brought the Black-and-Red level, converting a penalty in the 90′ + 5′. Klich stepped up to the spot and tapped in his shot, calm as ever.

The match ended in a roller coaster ride for Black-and-Red supporters as Gabriel Pirani and Jared Stroud made a fast break toward the Toronto goal well into stoppage time. Pirani lofted a beautiful cross to Stroud, who found the back of the net with a clinical strike, but alas, the flag was up.

Head coach Troy Lesesne lauded the second half response from his squad but recognized, “that’s been a little bit too consistent lately where we have to fight back out of hard circumstances.”

Despite the level scoreline, the grit and urgency D.C. United found in the second half of the match made this game feel like a net positive.

D.C. United will get a breather during the international break and return to regular play on June 15 with a road match against Charlotte FC.

Watch the highlights from D.C. United vs. Toronto FC

Box Score

D.C. United: 2 Ku-DiPietro 79′, Klich 90′ +5′ (PK)

Toronto FC: 2 Etienne 2′, Bernardeschi 33′

Lineups

D.C. United: Alex Bono, Pedro Santos (Kristian Fletcher 71′), Lucas Bartlett, Steven Birnbaum (Matai Akinmboni 46′), Garrison Tubbs, Aaron Herrera, Jared Stroud, Mateusz Klich, Jackson Hopkins (Martin Rodríguez 61′), Ted Ku-DiPietro (Gabriel Pirani 79′), Christian Benteke (Jacob Murrell 61′)

Toronto FC: Sean Johnson, Kevin Long, Nicksoen Gomis, Raoul Petretta (Sigurd Rosted 64′), Derrick Etienne Jr. (Richie Laryea 79′), Alonso Coello (Matty Longstaff 64′), Deybi Flores, Jonathan Osorio, Deandre Kerr, Federico Bernardeschi, Tyrese Spicer (Jahkleele Marshall-Rutty 69′)

Misconduct Summary

Toronto FC: Bernardeschi 52′ and 87′ (red), Gomis 80′ and 90′ + 3′ (red), Flores 82′, Marshall-Rutty 90′ + 4′, Osorio 90′ + 4′, Longstaff 90′ + 8′, Petretta 90′ + 12′