Shorthanded on field and on bench, D.C. United falls again at home

What began with a terrible blunder turned into a competitive affair before United ran out of juice and dropped a 3-2 decision to FC Cincinnati, extending its winless streak to 10.

United (4-10-8) has not won since May 11 in Atlanta (0-7-3) and has failed in seven straight at home (0-4-3).

Like Saturday, when it earned a 2-2 draw at the New York Red Bulls, United was not deterred by its many disadvantages. Martín Rodríguez knotted the score in the first half and substitute Gabriel Pirani cut into a two-goal deficit with a gem in the second.

But United does not have the tools to win such games, and after enduring three late threats, Cincinnati (14-4-3) tied the MLS record for consecutive road victories with seven.

“It’s getting frustrating,” midfielder Jared Stroud said. “Every week is starting to blend together. It’s not a good situation right now. We’re obviously missing some guys. But we gave them the game. Mistakes happen, but we can’t compound them. Just another loss.”

Serving a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation, Coach Troy Lesesne witnessed from afar his team’s fight and resilience but also its shortcomings.

“Our group is not giving in — that’s clear,” he said. “But we are also not getting the points we need. We have to credit the group for continuing through really hard circumstances right now, the results and where we are as a squad. But the flip side of that is we have to do better.”

United was without striker Christian Benteke, MLS’s second-leading scorer with 14 goals. He served a suspension for yellow card accumulation — four days after serving a red-card suspension. Cristian Dájome also was suspended. Three regulars were sidelined with injuries.

United’s night got off to a perfectly wretched start in the 10th minute. Matti Peltola played the ball back to goalkeeper Tyler Miller. With Kevin Kelsy pressuring, Miller’s first touch got away from him. His second touch was deflected by Kelsy into the air and into the net.

“We need to stop giving away goals,” Lesesne said.

Shortly after Cincinnati’s Roman Celentano made a terrific save on Stroud, United answered in the 24th minute. Rodríguez busted through a cluster of players in the penalty area and drove a low shot into the far corner for his first goal in three injury-impacted seasons.

The deadlock lasted 15 minutes. Pavel Bucha beat center back Lucas Bartlett to Luca Orellano’s entry pass into the penalty area and steered the ball past the charging Miller.

Bucha added his second goal in the 63rd minute, beating Miller to the far corner from 15 yards.

United stirred again in the 69th minute, when Pirani used sensational footwork in the box to beat two defenders and then lift an angled shot over Celentano for his second goal of the season. Lesesne said he was heartened by his team scoring two goals again in Benteke’s absence, but neither resulted in victory.

“The hardest part about this stretch is that we’re so close in so many ways,” Bartlett said. “We’re on the cusp of it. … We have some big guys coming back, and we’re going to get through it.”

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

Player shortage continues

Because United does not field a third-division developmental team — it’s the only franchise in MLS without one — it has fewer options for short-term call-ups. Hence, D.C. has had a full bench of nine subs just a few times this year.

Defender Hayden Sargis and midfielder Jeremy Garay were recalled from loans to second-flight USL Championship teams.

United has long talked about launching a developmental squad in Baltimore, but that remains years away. Aside from Sargis and Garay, the bench Wednesday included Pirani, 17-year-old defender Matai Akinmboni and two goalkeepers. Akinmboni and Pirani were the only subs to play.

New players in attendance

United’s new signings, Austrian left back David Schnegg and MLS veteran forward Dominique Badji, were in attendance ahead of formal announcements this week. With the transfer window opening July 18, they are likely to debut in the July 20 friendly vs. Scottish champion Celtic at Audi Field.

Turner named to MLS squad

United academy midfielder Gavin Turner was invited to the MLS NEXT All-Star Game, featuring top prospects, July 23 in Columbus, Ohio — the day before the All-Star Game between MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX. Turner, 17, is a D.C. homegrown candidate who could end up signing abroad; he has trained with West Ham in England.