D.C. United got a first-half goal from Paul Arriola as the Black-and-Red defeated the Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-0 on Saturday night in St. Petersburg, FL. Playing in the second game of the Suncoast Invitational, Arriola's 34th-minute goal, his first of the preseason, was the only tally of a game that also saw a goal from Wayne Rooney called back by video review. 

With just two weeks until the start of the regular season, head coach Ben Olsen trotted out a starting lineup that may very well be the same against Atlanta United on March 3. Bill Hamid was in goal, with Joseph Mora, Steven Birnbaum, Frederic Brillant, and Leonardo Jara in front of him. Russell Canouse and Junior Moreno were the deep midfielders, playing behind Zoltan Stieber, Luciano Acosta, Paul Arriola, and Rooney.

United had a shaky start to the game, with the Rowdies going close within 30 seconds with a diving header that was just off the mark. United tried to get their footing in the game by keeping possession, and by playing out of the back, but there were hiccups related to that strategy, as the Rowdies pressed United.

The hosts nearly went ahead in the 33rd minute when a feed from Leo Fernandes found Sebastian Guenzatti at the top of the box. Guenzatti fired a rocket towards goal, but saw his shot skim off the crossbar, letting United off the hook.

Acosta helped make the Rowdies pay for the miss a minute later, combining with Stieber to create the goal for Arriola. A quick one-two between Acosta and Stieber got the Argentine in a position to center the ball, where Arriola, just on the doorstep, redirected a shot in for the lead.

Minutes later, Rooney seemed to have doubled United's advantage, thanks to a diving header on a cross from Stieber. There was a video review, though, and Rooney was judged to have been offside just prior to the cross, negating the goal.

During the stoppage, Jara, who had taken a knock earlier in the half on a tackle from an opponent, was taken out, with Ulises Segura coming on in his place. Then, to start the second half, Akeem Ward was introduced, with Acosta making way.

United seemed to do better in limiting Tampa Bay's chances in the second half, as Olsen let most of his starters play for 77 minutes. Chris Durkin came on for Canouse in the 60th minute, but the other eight players got the extended run-out. Rooney had a chance to get his goal in the 70th minute, but a fine save from keeper John McCarthy denied the striker after being played into the box by Stieber.

Earl Edwards, Jalen Robinson, and Donovan Pines were the official United players who entered the game in the 77th minute. Shinya Kadono, recently announced as having signed with Loudoun United, also entered, along with a trialist and three academy players. The only three players who stayed on during this change were Durkin, Segura, and Ward.

The final minutes were rather subdued for each side, as the Rowdies tried in vain to push for an equalizer. It wasn't to come, though, as United won for the second time in three preseason games. The Black-and-Red will get back to action on Wednesday when they take on the Philadelphia Union.