Christian Benteke scores twice as D.C. United beats Seattle Sounders

United (3-3-4) ended a three-game winless streak (0-2-1) and won for just the second time since opening day.

It did not come easily. Despite playing a man up for more than 60 minutes, United performed as if it were the shorthanded team. The Sounders applied enormous pressure in the second half and threatened to sneak out with a point. Alex Bono’s sensational save in the 88th minute preserved the victory.

“We could have managed the game much better,” said Benteke, whose eight goals are one behind MLS leader Lionel Messi. “This is a part of the game where we have to improve, to complete our game and to manage the game.”

After a subpar performance at New York City FC last weekend, United had reason for optimism Saturday. Right back Aaron Herrera and midfielder Mateusz Klich returned from yellow-card suspensions, and rookie forward Jacob Murrell, a first-round draft pick from Georgetown, made his first start after five quality appearances as a sub.

United answered Coach Troy Lesesne’s call for a better start than its slumber in New York, playing with purpose and passion. Opportunities, though, were unfulfilled before and after Seattle’s icebreaker.

In the 14th minute, at the end of a long possession that began in Seattle’s end, Jordan Morris crossed to Léo Chú for an uncontested header past Bono.

“Even though we give up the early goal,” Lesesne said, “I still feel like we were pushing the game in the right way.”

The game flipped dramatically when Jared Stroud got behind defender Cody Baker on Christopher McVey’s long ball and was taken down by Frei. Not only did United receive a penalty kick — Benteke converted easily — but Frei was sent off. Andrew Thomas, who started three matches for the injured Frei early this season, entered. With the Sounders (1-5-3) needing to remove an outfield player, Chú was sacrificed.

United took advantage in the 45th minute. Herrera crossed to the back side of the six-yard box. Positioned behind 5-foot-8 Cristian Roldan, the 6-3 Benteke won the aerial battle as if no one was there and powered a six-yard header over the leaping Thomas.

For a team playing with an extra man, United conceded too much space and possession early in the second half, leading to some anxious moments.

“It just was kind of a choppy game,” Lesesne said. “A lot of set pieces, too many fouls from us. That breaks up the rhythm. So that’s something we have to be aware of. We want to be aggressive, but we don’t want to create fouls that slow the game down and then allow them to put balls in our box that are really dangerous.”

Benteke threatened to complete a hat trick in the 59th minute with a booming side volley that skipped over the crossbar, but United continued to struggle keeping possession. João Paulo hit the near post. Martín Rodríguez’s timely tackle in the box prevented Seattle’s Raúl Ruidíaz from shooting deep in the box.

In the waning moments, Bono extended himself to his left to touch aside Albert Rusnak’s header and Cristian Roldan failed to make solid contact inside the six-yard box.

“He’s been phenomenal all year,” center back Lucas Bartlett said of Bono. “We love the relationship we have built. We trust him, and he trusts us.”

The end of six minutes of stoppage time brought relief to the antsy crowd and to a D.C. squad that was clinging desperately to three points.

Here’s what else to know about United’s victory:

During the pregame team photo, players held up Russell Canouse’s No. 6 uniform — a show of support for the 28-year-old midfielder, who is expected to miss the season after having his colon removed last month.

When the sixth minute passed, fans in the supporters’ groups held up small “6” posts and unfurled a banner that read: “Husband. Father. Fighter. 6 Get Well Soon Russell.”

Captain Steven Birnbaum was in uniform for the first time this season — his 11th with the club — after undergoing knee surgery in February. Still about a week from being fully ready, the center back did not play.

Forward Ted Ku-DiPietro (adductor) and defender Conner Antley (calf) remain sidelined. Lesesne said they would need to make “a lot of progress” to return next week against visiting Philadelphia.

With Tyler Miller (25 starts in 2023) back from last fall’s shoulder surgery, Luis Zamudio will go on loan to a team in the second-flight USL Championship. Miller’s return will “create competition [for the starting job], and that’s a good thing,” Lesesne said.