.png)
DMV Weekly - What’s going on in the District: Week of August 28, 2022
Every Sunday/Monday, as “The DMV Sports Guy,” I’ll provide a quick recap of the prior week for all the teams in D.C. that were in action, as well as a breakdown of what’s coming up this week.
—-----------
Washington Commanders:
The Commanders ended the preseason Saturday in a game against the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore got the victory, 17-15, as Washington finished the preseason 0-3 (it’s the preseason, it doesn’t matter. The 0-16 Lions went undefeated in the preseason).
The Commanders finished the preseason 0-3 while Baltimore extended its NFL-record preseason win streak to 23 games
Photo: Courtesy of Independent Tribune
By the way, Baltimore extended its NFL-record preseason winning streak to 23 straight preseason wins. Highlights HERE
The highlight of the night for Washington was rookie quarterback, Sam Howell. The former North Carolina QB played the entire game, going 24/35 for 280 yards and a touchdown through the air while adding 62 yards on 8 carries.
“I thought Sam played well, I thought he did a nice job,” Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said. “ It’s good that he got this time to play just because of the mere fact that Taylor [Heinicke] is our number two. It’s just one of those things where we want to get him as much exposure to get comfortable.”
So no Sam Howell soon for Washington, but the Commanders do boast one of the best quarterback rooms from top-to-bottom in the NFL with Wentz, Heinicke and now Howell.
More on the Commanders in the season preview in the week leading up to the opening game against Jacksonville.
Washington Nationals:
The Nats (43-85, 5th in NL East), went 2-3 this week in a light week with only five games. The team started out in Seattle for a two-game set against the Mariners, losing Tuesday and winning Wednesday 3-1 before heading back to The District.
Nationals pitcher Patrick Corbin snapped a streak of 43 games without a win by a starting pitcher on Sunday
Photo: Nick Wass/Associated Press
In D.C. the team welcomed the Cincinnati Reds for a weekend series. Cincy got the first two games (I was there for a 7-3 Reds win on Friday), before Washington took the Sunday afternoon game in a 3-2 victory.
The highlight of the week came from starting pitcher, Patrick Corbin, in the Sunday win over Cincinnati. Corbin was the first starting pitcher to get the win for Washington in 43 games (you read that correctly). After surrendering a run in each of the first two innings, Corbin settled in and tossed a scoreless third, fourth, fifth and sixth, allowing the offense to catch up and take the lead.
This week, Washington hosts the Oakland Athletics in an inter-league matchup before heading to New York to take on the division rival Mets for a weekend series.
D.C. United:
D.C. United (6-4-17, 14th Eastern Conference) took on Atlanta United (8-9-10, 11th Eastern Conference) on Sunday afternoon in ATL. D.C. United had the lead twice in the second half, leading 1-0 and 2-1 before giving up two unanswered goals and losing 3-2. Highlights HERE
Photo: John McDonnell/The Washington Post
All five goals were scored in the second half, with the DCU goals coming by way of Ravel Morrison in the 47’ and Ola Kamara in the 55’.
D.C. still holds the worst record in MLS with seven games to go. This week, the team travels to Manhattan to take on New York City on Wednesday night before returning home for a Sunday night clash against Colorado at Audi Field.
Washington Spirit:
The Spirit (1-10-6, 11th in NWSL) returned to action after nearly three weeks off on Saturday as the team played on the road against the Houston Dash (8-5-5, 2nd in NWSL). Highlights HERE
Photo: Erik Williams/USA Today Sports
Ashley Hatch scored both goals for the Spirit just three minutes apart in the 53rd and 55th minutes to give Washington the lead.
The Dash came back to score a 91st minute equalizer to split the points.
The Spirit returns to action on September 10 as the team hosts the San Diego Wave at Audi Field.