The game in 100 words (or less): D.C. United will either win the 2015 MLS Cup, or we’re all going to die of boredom watching them try. On Saturday night, Ben Olsen’s Black and Red topped the Montreal Impact, 1-0, at Stade Saputo, which isn’t all that astonishing in and of itself — they have led the Supporters’ Shield race for much of the season. Then there’s this statistical nugget, which states United are now the only team in Major League Soccer history to win a game in which they took just one total shot. Essentially, United turned in the least competent attacking performance in the history of MLS. Did you watch MLS in the 90s? How about the early- and mid-2000s? “Least competent attacking performance in MLS history” is really saying something! We will always have this for as long as we may live.
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Three moments that mattered
13′ — Rolfe capitalizes on a bad, bad turnover — As it turns out, turning the ball over 35 yards from your own goal with no defenders between the opposition attackers and your goal is a bad soccer strategy. When Jairo Arrieta and Chris Rolfe combined to turn over Victor Cabrera in that part of the field, it was easy work for the latter to give United an early lead.
34′ — Hamid makes a huge one-on-one save against Romero — Andres Romero was clear in on goal with only Bill Hamid standing between himself and a 1-1 scoreline. Hamid, who’s missed eight games this season due to injury, reminded everyone yet again the stark difference between a backup and a superstar in the making.
73′ — Hamid with another huge one-on-one stop — Either Bill Hamid is the best goalkeeper in MLS, or every shot ever taken on his goal is hit squarely into his chest. Dominic Oduro couldn’t have had a better breakaway chance to equalize, and Hamid could not have cared less.
Clutch saves come standard for @BillHamid28. #dcu https://t.co/TYp9JWo3r1
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 9, 2015
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Man of the match: Bill Hamid — Consider the above two saves. Consider that without Hamid making those saves, it’s very easily 2-1 in favor of Montreal. Hamid made another monster save in the 85th minute that we didn’t even have room above to feature.
Goalscorers: Rolfe (13′)
