Featured image: Christian Benteke finds the equalizer for D.C. United against the Colorado Rapids at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (D.C. United/Hannah Wagner)

Christian Benteke returned to the pitch for D.C. United, contributing to a stunning comeback against the Colorado Rapids with a 2-1 home win. Benteke struck first for the Black-and-Red in first-half stoppage time, and Hosei Kijima netted the game-winner moments later in a dramatic one-two punch that left the Rapids unable to recover.

Last week, D.C. United was left reeling after a painful 3-0 road loss to the Philadelphia Union, despite a strong first half. The home matchup against the Rapids provided a chance for redemption, especially in front of supporters who have remained steadfast regardless of the results.

Colorado had the upper hand for much of the first half, forcing D.C. United’s turnovers to fizzle out. When Darren Yapi opened the scoring right before halftime in the 43’, it appeared that the visitors would head to the locker rooms ahead. Lukas MacNaughton took a knock during the run of play that forced head coach Troy Lesesne to tap Garrison Tubbs as a substitute. 

The Black-and-Red wouldn’t “roll over”. Christian Benteke found the equalizer in the 45’+4’ with a trademark header after an assist from Brandon Servania. Newcomer Hosei Kijima flung in a right-footed shot past Zack Steffen to score the game-winner in the 45’+7’, right before the whistle for the half. 

The second half? Colorado didn’t stand a chance. D.C. United held the visitors off, bolstered by cheers from the Chico Stand and throughout Buzzard Point. 

Lesesne was beaming and had nothing but praise for his squad. “I’m proud,” Lesesne said. “I’m so proud of the group. In terms of the type of grit that they displayed tonight, they really dug in when we went down one-nil.  This is the thing when I talk about values and culture, that I think people sometimes may think that those are wonderful words to use and roll their eyes, and maybe poke fun at it. But, when you go down one-nil and you’ve had the better chances, and the better the game. And you’ve been in a difficult spot, you know, and five out of the last six weeks, it would be easy for a group to roll over. And so, when you talk about grit, relentlessness, determination, being resilient – our group just displayed that to go up two to one and then hang on to that.”

As the Black-and-Red head toward this week’s packed schedule, they’ve got nothing but gratitude for their supporters.

Lesesne’s message to supporters is simple and heartfelt. “Thank you,” he said. “Thank you for staying with us. Thank you for continuing to show up and believe in what we’re doing, even if the results weren’t coming as much as we wanted…hopefully we can start to build a little bit more momentum…we hope to be able to reciprocate all the support that they’ve given us with more results.”

D.C. United remain at home to take on Charleston Battery on Tuesday in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Then, the Black-and-Red will head north to face Toronto FC on Saturday, May 10.

Watch the highlights from D.C. United vs. Colorado Rapids

Box Score

MLS Regular Season – Game 11

D.C. United: 2 Benteke 45’+4’, Kijima 45’+7’

Colorado Rapids: 1 Yapi 43’

Lineups

D.C. United: Luis Barraza, Matti Peltola, Lukas MacNaughton (Garrison Tubbs 45’+1′), Connor Antley (Derek Dodson 61′), Jared Stroud (Dominique Badji 61′), Boris Enow, Aaron Herrera, Brandon Servania, David Schnegg, Hosei Kijima, Christian Benteke (Jacob Murrell 72′)

Colorado Rapids: Zach Steffen, Reggie Cannon, Andreas Maxso, Chidozie Awaziem, Jackson Travis (Sam Vines 76′), Oliver Larraz (Kimani Stewart-Baynes 76′), Djordje Mihailovic, Josh Atencio (Wayne Frederick 67′), Kevin Cabral (Ted Ku-DiPietro 61′), Rafael Navarro, Darren Yapi (Connor Ronan 67′)

Misconduct Summary

D.C. United: Peltola 50’, Tubbs 55’, Servania 63’

Colorado Rapids: Fredrick 80’, Cannon 86’