D.C. United, stuck in a rut, gets its bell rung in loss to CF Montreal

Attacking the target on the bell end in the first half, Montreal took advantage of United’s soft resistance and scored three times to surpass its total for any full home game this year.

Clang-clang, clang-clang …

United’s Christian Benteke snapped a three-game scoreless streak with two first-half goals, increasing his total to 13, but Matti Peltola’s red card just before intermission undermined the comeback.

“The first half sets us back, and we couldn’t really recover from there,” captain Steven Birnbaum said. “It’s frustrating — really frustrating. There’s concern. There’s urgency. We need to get it going.”

Sunusi Ibrahim, a first-half substitute, capped a two-goal night with the clincher in the 73rd minute for Montreal (4-7-4), which ended a seven-game winless skid before an announced crowd of 19,619.

United (4-6-6) is in a 0-3-1 rut and, with the roster depleted by injuries and suspensions, Coach Troy Lesesne will not have many lineup options at home Saturday against Toronto FC — the midway point of a souring season.

“We wanted nine points [from three games over eight days], and we have one — and two ugly games from us,” said Birnbaum, whose team salvaged a 1-1 home draw with lowly Chicago last weekend.

On Wednesday, United’s early problems were self-inflicted. Peltola, starting in place of the injured Christopher McVey, made a terrible back pass out of midfield in the sixth minute.

Jules-Anthony Vilsaint collected the ball in stride as if he were the intended recipient. With a two-on-one, Vilsaint crossed to Ariel Lassiter for a one-timer between goalkeeper Alex Bono’s legs.

Lassiter, 29, is the son of former U.S. national team striker Roy Lassiter, who scored 36 goals in 1998-99 for United.

“We can’t make these types of mistakes,” Lesesne said. “Those are hard lessons to learn, and they’re ones that, particularly on the road and [with] the form we’ve been in over the last three matches, just sets the tone for the mentality of the group to have to really dig yourself out of a tough situation.”

United did answer in the 29th minute. Aaron Herrera headed the ball to the top of the box. With his back to the goal, Lucas Bartlett flicked it to Benteke, who lifted a shot over goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois for his first goal since posting a hat trick in Atlanta on May 11.

Montreal reclaimed the lead four minutes later. United was outnumbered deep in the box. Former D.C. right back Ruan crossed to Ibrahim, who had come on as an injury replacement for Vilsaint, for a flying header.

“If we make these mistakes,” Lesesne said, “then our expectation shouldn’t be any greater than the result we got tonight.”

Another four minutes, another goal. Peltola’s foul set up a 22-yard free kick. Lassiter touched it to Mathieu Choinière for a low bid that took a slight deflection off Birnbaum and whizzed into the net for a 3-1 lead.

The four-minute goal intervals continued in the 42nd as Jared Stroud crossed to Benteke for a booming half-volley from eight yards.

Given the game’s openness, United was well-positioned. Deep in stoppage time, however, Peltola’s second yellow card for a clumsy challenge left United with 10 men.

“Until the red card,” Stroud said, “I thought we were in it. We have got to be smarter.”

The second half brought effort, a good chance or two and several attacking substitutions but no goals by United.

Ibrahim’s second goal, assisted by Lassiter, secured the outcome. Referee Ismail Elfath’s final whistle sounded, followed by the bell, which echoed into the cool night.

Clang-clang, clang-clang …

“We have a lot of work to do,” Lesesne said. “I mean, that’s the truth.”

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

Peltola will not be the only one to miss the Toronto match Saturday. Winger Cristian Dájome crossed the yellow-card threshold and will sit out. As it stands, United will have only 14 non-goalkeepers available.

Santos, Rodríguez return

Midfielder-defender Pedro Santos (hip) and midfielder Martín Rodríguez (concussion) were back in uniform after missing one game. Rodríguez played in the second half. Santos did not play.

Defender Conner Antley (ACL) and midfielder Russell Canouse (colon surgery) are out for the year, while McVey (knee sprain) will miss six to eight weeks. Six Montreal players were unavailable, including forwards Matías Cóccaro (three goals) and Josef Martínez (two).

Forward Kristian Fletcher and defender Matai Akinmboni, who is on loan to second-division Loudoun United, were recalled by the U.S. under-19 national team for away friendlies vs. Argentina on June 7 and Uruguay four days later.

Herrera (Guatemala) and Peltola (Finland) will join their senior national teams Sunday. Because United is off June 8-9, they will not miss any MLS matches.