NYCFC blanks DC United for first road win of season

WASHINGTON — Alex Callens and Valentín Castellanos scored first-half goals to propel New York City FC to a 2-0 victory over DC United on Wednesday.

Callens' goal came in the 6th minute to give NYCFC (6-3-2) an early lead. Castellanos' seventh goal of the season came on a penalty kick during first-half stoppage time after United's Brendan Hines-Ike was charged with a handball.

It was NYCFC's first road win of the season. NYCFC has won five of its last six matches, while United (4-6-2) is winless in its last three.

NYCFC moved into a four-way tie for second place in the Eastern Conference, one point behind Philadelphia.

Sean Johnson swatted away a deflection — United's only shot on goal in the match — in the 76th minute to preserve the shutout.