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Every week, across several sports, players around the DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia) shine in individual performance. Every Monday, I’d like to take a minute to highlight some of those performances, including what I view as the best performance and name that athlete the “DMV Star of the Week.”
This week’s DMV Star of the Week is D.C. United Striker Christian Benteke.
In Saturday’s disappointing 5-3 loss at home against New York Red Bulls, which was played in the pouring rain, Benteke was the one brightspot, scoring all three goals for DCU, which all came in the first half.
First, Benteke scored the equalizing goal in the 21’ before scoring the go-ahead goal in the 36’. After New York tied the game at 2-2, Benteke scored the third on a penalty kick to put DCU on top, only to have the Red Bulls tie the game again just three minutes later.
In the second half, New York scored twice to take the 5-3 lead and ultimately win the game, pushing DCU out of a playoff spot with just three games remaining.
Benteke’s hattrick on Saturday has catapulted his season total to 13, which is tied for 5th in MLS. It’s the most goals he’s scored in a season since 2016-17 when he was with Aston Villa in the Premier League.
The DMV saw seven teams in action this past week, including the Washington Commanders, Washington Nationals, D.C. United, Washington Spirit, Washington Mystics, and Maryland and Howard football teams.
Here are some honorable mention performances for DMV Star of the Week:
The Maryland football defense forced 5 Michigan State turnovers in Saturday’s dominant 31-9 win over the Spartans in East Lansing.
Washington Mystics Guards Natasha Cloud had 33 points and dished out 9 assists in Tuesday’s season-ending playoff loss against New York
Maryland Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa threw for 233 yards and 3 touchdowns along with 37 rushing yards and a score in the Terps 31-9 win over Michigan State in the Big 10 opener.
Here’s what’s coming up this week in DMV Sports:
Washington Commanders (2-1 overall, 0-0, T-2nd in NFC East)
10/1 @ Philadelphia
Washington Nationals (69-88, 5th in NL East, 31.5 GB)
9/26 @ Baltimore
9/27 @ Baltimore
9/29 @ Atlanta
9/30 @ Atlanta
10/1 @ Atlanta (Last game of regular season)
Maryland Terrapins Football (4-0 overall, 1-0, T-2nd in Big 10 East)
9/30 vs. Indiana
Howard Bison Football (1-2 overall, 0-0, 1st in MEAC)
9/30 @ Robert Morris
D.C. United: (9-9-13, 36 points, 10th in Eastern Conference)
9/30 @ Vancouver
Washington Spirit: (6-8-5, 26 points, 6th in NWSL)
9/30 vs. Kansas City
*Denotes games I will be covering in-person
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