SOCCER

After defeating Panama in his U.S. coaching debut, the Argentine will lead the Americans against Mexico on Tuesday.

Washington, which is getting closer to full strength as the playoffs approach, got two goals from rookie Makenna Morris during a 4-1 win at Audi Field.

The departures of Pulisic and McKinnie, as well as Marlon Fossey, Zack Steffen and Ricardo Pepi, further deplete the team’s player pool ahead of Tuesday’s friendly.

The new coach is still learning his new players, and the difficulty will rise with Tuesday’s match at rival Mexico.

“We really need him,” USMNT Coach Mauricio Pochettino said of Christian Pulisic. “He needs to be in form, happy, strong. The quality is there; he has an enormous talent.”

Police don’t suspect wrongdoing in the death of George Baldock, an English-born defender for Greek club Panathinaikos.

An accomplished club coach for 15 years on Europe’s grandest stages, the 52-year-old Pochettino is a first-timer on the international scene.

The veteran midfielder has started 21 matches for a Washington team ravaged by injuries as the postseason approaches.

The watchdog group opened the Rory Dames case less than two weeks after shelving it, and only hours after an article in The Washington Post raised questions about the years-old probe.

Washington was missing 10 players in a matchup of the league’s top teams.

Injuries force out Folarin Balogun, Tim Weah and Johnny Cardoso for U.S. friendlies against Panama and Mexico.

D.C.’s 2-1 win, its first in Foxborough in 13 games, comes at a crucial time. A win or draw in United’s Oct. 19 season finale at home would secure a playoff spot.

Esme Morgan, a 23-year-old defender, came to the NWSL after seven years with Manchester City, her childhood club.

The case against Rory Dames was closed, for now, over “insufficient” evidence. But several athletes said investigators did not interview them.

Pirani came on as a sub and scored twice in stoppage time to lift D.C. to a 4-3 win that kept United’s playoff hopes alive with two matches remaining.

Once a pillar of stability, U.S. goalkeeping has become a growing concern.

Dominique Badji’s story began in Senegal and brought him to Washington and Episcopal, where he was a star. Years later, he found a way back with D.C. United, his fifth MLS team.

With its playoff hopes fading, D.C. United managed a 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew at Audi Field thanks to Benteke’s 20th and 21st goals.