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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’s of the Week is D.C. United Midfielder Gabriel Pirani.
Entering this week, D.C. United was on the outside looking in at the MLS playoff picture, needing some big performances with just three games remaining but two upcoming road matches looming.
On Wednesday night, the Red-and-Black took on Nashville in what turned out to be a wild match.
United fell behind just six minutes in before tying the game in the 24’ minute. Just before halftime, D.C. fell behind again and trailed 2-1 at the halftime break.
In the second half, Nashville increased the lead to 3-1 with just over 30 minutes to play, leaving D.C. in a precarious position late in the match.
In the 76’, MLS-leading goal scorer Christian Benteke brought D.C. back within one with his 22nd goal of the year, before 22-year old Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Pirani pulled off a stoppage time miracle.
First, Pirani tied the game with a goal in the 94’, before scoring the game-winner just three minutes later to put D.C. United on top for the first time in the match and securing a monster three points for the club.
On Saturday, the team won a 2-1 thriller over New England to move up from 12th to 8th in the standings in just one week.
Now, with one match to play in the regular season, D.C. United is on the cusp of clinching a playoff berth.
The DMV saw seven teams in action this past week, including the Washington Commanders, D.C. United, Washington Spirit, the Howard and Maryland football teams, and the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals in preseason
Here are some honorable mention performances for DMV Star of the Week:
Washington Commanders Linebacker Frankie Luvu had 2.5 sacks in Washington’s win over Cleveland on Sunday
D.C. United Striker Christian Benteke scored in both wins this week, adding to his league-leading 23 goals in 29 matches, good for four more than anyone else with just one game to go in the regular season
Here’s what’s coming up this week in DMV Sports:
Washington Commanders (4-1, 1st in NFC East)
10/13 @ Baltimore
Washington Wizards (0-0, T-1st in Eastern Conference)
10/9 @ New York (Preseason)
10/11 vs. Toronto (Preseason)
Washington Capitals (0-0, T-1st in Metropolitan Division)
10/12 vs. New Jersey (Regular Season Opener)
D.C. United (10-10-13, 40 points 8th in Eastern Conference)
10/19 vs. Charlotte (Final Regular Season Match)
Washington Spirit (15-2-6 overall, 47 points, 2nd in NWSL)
10/13 vs. Louisville
Maryland Terrapins (3-2 overall, 0-2,T-16th in Big 10)
10/11 vs. Northwestern
Howard Bison (2-3 overall, 0-0, T-1st in MEAC)
10/12 vs. Sacred Heart
*Denotes games I will be covering in-person
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