D.C. United's recent struggles continued on the 4th of July, as the Black-and-Red fell 2-0 to FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Santiago Mosquera and Dominic Badji provided the goals for the hosts on either side of the break, while Luciano Acosta, in a reserve role, received a red card in the 73rd minute. With the loss, United have now won just one of their past eight league games, picking up their second loss in the same stretch.

Wayne Rooney also saw a red card in the first half, but the decision to send off United's captain was overturned on video review. However, the night just did not go United's way starting early in the game.

Bill Hamid had to make an early save on Brandon Servania in the sixth minute, with the rebound bouncing out wide. Ryan Hollingshead was able to collect possession and send the ball back into the box, where Mosquera was able to redirect the ball just enough to find a way past Hamid for the early opener.

It was not the start United needed, with several changes to their starting lineup. Acosta was on the bench and 16-year-old Griffin Yow was given the first start of his MLS career on the left wing, with Lucas Rodriguez starting in Acosta's spot. Junior Moreno was back in the starting lineup following his return from the Copa America, while Joseph Mora recovered quicker than expected to start at left back. 

Hamid was then forced into another save in the 10th minute when Paxton Pomykal picked up possession in his own half and made his way into United's box. There was a numerical advantage for the Hoops, but Pomykal decided to take on Hamid by himself only to be denied by the keeper.

United's night could have gotten even worse in the 30th minute when Rooney was originally given a red card for a tackle from behind on Michael Barrios. However, referee Nima Saghafi was called over to the video board to review the play and came back to change the card to a yellow.

That seemed to wake up United for the rest of the half, and Rooney nearly had an equalizer in the 42nd minute. A pinpoint cross from Leonardo Jara was headed on target by Rooney, only for Jesse Gonzalez to give up a rebound. But before Rooney could pounce, Gonzalez and Matt Hedges scrambled to break up the play.

Early on in the second half, Acosta came on for Yow, and almost immediately had a chance at an equalizer. A long ball was allowed to bounce in the box by Dallas' defense, but Acosta couldn't keep his half-volley down, blazing a shot over the crossbar. 

Dallas scored their second in the 65th minute, essentially putting the game out of reach for the Black-and-Red. Hamid made a reflex save on Mosquera but had no chance of catching the ball on the save. Unfortunately for Hamid, the rebound fell right to Badji, who had a simple tap-in from a couple of yards out to put Dallas up by two goals. 

Acosta's night was then done in the 73rd minute, after just 16 minutes on the field. Moreno fouled Pomykal near the sideline, as Moreno and Acosta tried to win back possession. As Pomykal went to ground, Acosta tried to jump over the midfielder, but instead landed on him with his cleats. After a review, Saghafi gave Acosta a red card, adding misery to United's night.

There wasn't much of a chance for United to get back into the game at that point, though Rodriguez did have a look from inside the box late on, which was deflected wide for a corner kick. Hamid made a couple of saves at the other end to keep the scoreline respectable late on for United.

The Black-and-Red, who have 31 points from 20 games, return to action next Friday when they host the New England Revolution at Audi FIeld.