Matt O'Riley at the double as Celtic beat DC United | OneFootball

Pre-season friendlySunday, July 21, 2024Audi Field, Washington DCDC UNITED... 0

CELTIC... 4(O'Riley 24 & 31, Johnston 64, Forrest 68)

A first-half double from Matt O’Riley and second half goals from Mikey Johnston and James Forrest sealed a comfortable and impressive 4-0 win against DC United in Celtic’s first game of their US tour.

Despite the evening sun setting, it was extremely humid in Washington DC when the game kicked off, with new signing Kasper Schmeichel watching on from the side-lines, having touched down in the States just hours before kick-off.

Celtic almost took the lead in the seventh minute after good work down the left by Nicolas Kuhn resulted in Luis Palma almost turning in Matt O’Riley’s cross, with Reo Hatate’s spectacular follow-up going wide.

There had been some concerns about the condition of the DC pitch before the match, Scotland’s rugby side having played their American counterparts on it only eight days before, but Celtic were passing the ball about with purpose in the early stages, with the home side chasing the game.

The home side did get their first chance at goal on 11 minutes but substitute Sargi’s shot was well over Scott Bain’s crossbar.

Kyogo then came close to the opener on 16 minutes when he attempted an ambitious left-foot scissors kick inside the box that almost found the back of the net.

The best chance of the match so far then fell to Luis Palma whose curling, right-foot shot from the corner of the box looked to be heading in.

However, DC United goalkeeper Zamudio leapt to fingertip the ball behind for a corner, much to the dismay of the thousands of Celtic fans inside the stadium.

Zamudio was the home hero once again in the 25th minute, somehow touching Kyogo’s goalbound header on to the post.

However, just a minute later Celtic did take the lead with Matt O’Riley prodding home from inside the six-yard box.

Celtic’s Danish midfielder, captain for the evening, then made it a double just after the half-hour mark.

Kyogo had the initial chance but when his shot was saved, it fell nicely into the path of O’Riley who made no mistake from 10 yards with a right-foot volley.

Scott Bain was then called into action at the other end five minutes before half time. Badji had plenty of time to pick his spot, but Bain’s quick reactions prevented the home side from pulling a goal back.

With the break approaching it was Matthew Anderson’s time to have a shot at goal. Picked out perfectly by Luis Palma, the young left back’s shot went narrowly wide of the goalkeeper’s post.

Brendan Rodgers made five changes for the second half, bringing on Kobayashi, Holm, Yang, Johnston and new goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo to replace Anderson, O’Riley, Palma, Kyogo and Bain respectively.

Four minutes into the half and Odin Holm showed great pace down the right-hand side. His ball inside for Mikey Johnston was inch-perfect but Celtic’s number 90 was denied at point-blank range by Zamudio.

And the DC United’s goalkeeper was the hero once again when he saved Reo Hatate’s blistering shot. His hard work between the sticks resulted in cramp, which saw him replaced in the 62nd minute.

Celtic made it 3-0 on 65 minutes when Yang played the ball out wide to James Forrest who had just come on alongside Taylor, McGregor, Lawal, Lagerbielke and Ralston. Forrest showed blistering pace and skill to perfectly set up Johnston who tapped in from two yards out.

And three soon become four, this time through Forrest. Greg Taylor threaded the ball through for Yang who unselfishly laid it off to Forrest to finish.

Yang was impressing down the left and it was his run that resulted in a trip inside the box and a penalty to Celtic on 78 minutes. However, Mikey Johnston's spot-kick was saved.

DC then brought on their talismanic striker Christian Benteke for the last 10minutes in the hope of a late revival, but it made no difference. Celtic had arrived in the US and instantly made their mark.

Next up, Premier League Champions Manchester City in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.