Late collapse seals draw after strong first half

BOYDS, Md. — Luciano Acosta scored in second-half stoppage time, forcing the Dynamo to settle for a 2-2 tie with D.C. United after blowing a two-goal lead Saturday at the Maryland SoccerPlex.

Alberth Elis scored one goal and assisted on another just seconds later to help the Dynamo (1-1-1) take a quick 2-0 lead in the 31st minute. But the Dynamo were unable to hold on for what would have been their first road victory of the season.

On Acosta’s goal, Yamil Asad served a free kick into the penalty area. The Dynamo failed to clear, and consecutive headers by Paul Arriola and Frederic Brillant left a dropping ball for Acosta to volley in from 8 yards.

Darren Mattocks scored in his second straight game to pull United (0-1-2) within 2-1 in the 49th minute when he eluded his defender at the corner of the 6-yard box and sent a shot past Dynamo goalkeeper Chris Seitz. Acosta, who was suspended for opening weekend and came off the bench for the final 28 minutes last Sunday, was left alone at the far post and one-touched Brillant’s header off Seitz and in.

D.C. United’s new Audi Field wasn’t ready for the home opener, so a near-capacity crowd of 5,128 attended the alternate venue. Last week, D.C. United faced Atlanta United in front of an MLS regular-season record crowd of 72,035 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Elis opened the scoring in the 30th minute for the Dynamo by hustling to win a back-header, chipping it over goalkeeper David Ousted and tapping it home for his second goal of the season.

Seconds later, Elis capitalized on another defensive mistake, got to the edge of the 18-yard box and found an open Mauro Manotas in front of goal for a calm finish. It was Manotas’ second goal of the season, tying him with Elis for the team lead. Elis recorded his third assist.