For the first time since his arrival last July, D.C. United had to deal with the absence of Wayne Rooney on Tuesday night at Audi Field against the Montreal Impact. Since taking over last summer against the Colorado Rapids, the English striker had started 22 games in a row, tallying 16 goals and 10 assists. But his red card on Saturday meant that United would have to navigate a rare Tuesday night game without the star player.

What transpired at Buzzard Point was a frustrating 90 minute affair, which ended in a scoreless draw. United were held without a shot on target over the course of the game, and their opponents weren't much better, forcing just one save out of Bill Hamid. That was exactly what Montreal would have wanted from the game, much to the angst of United.

"I don’t know if they were here to win," winger Paul Arriola told reporters after the game. "They had a gameplan, and they stuck to that."

The problem was, everyone knew that that's exactly what Montreal wanted to do. Without the injured Ignacio Piatti, or the suspended Maxi Urruti, the visitors were going to try to sit back, absorb United's pressure, and look for a chance or two on the counter. Montreal, in the final game of a six game road trip to start the season, only created the one good chance, but succeed in all other aspects.

It was the kind of game where the Black-and-Red really needed their captain. 

"We could have used Wayne’s quality out there today for sure," Ben Olsen admitted after the game in his press conference. "But I still think with the crew out there, we could have produced more opportunities. That part is disappointing."

Ulises Segura, and not Quincy Amarikwa ended up being the answer to the question as to who was going to replace Rooney in the lineup. Amarikwa would end up coming on in the second half, and provided some juice to United's attack.

But it was Segura, who is normally a midfielder, who was tasked with the job up top from the beginning. It's wasn't a shining performance for the Costa Rican, but United are hopeful that he won't have to be used up top too often over the course of the season.

"We wanted [Segura’s] ability to press. We thought it was a game where they were going to be compact," said Olsen, as to why he selected Segura over Amarikwa. "You need some powerful, athletic running from your nine. He did that at times. He looked uncomfortable at times."

There's another quick turnaround for United, as they head to Denver to face the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. Rooney will be back for the Black-and-Red, but they now face another issue - an injury crisis at outside back. Joseph Mora is still absent for a couple of weeks, but Chris McCann and Leonardo Jara had to exit Tuesday's game in the second half.

McCann picked up a hamstring strain, which will likely keep him out for at least a week or two. Jara had his shoulder pop in and out, which means his status for the weekend trip up in the air. That leaves Olsen with few options at either outside back position.

United will hope to have better luck on Saturday, after having just one thing to hold on from Tuesday's drab result.

"It’s a point. It’s not how we want to walk away from home games," said Olsen, "but it sets us up in some ways with Wayne coming back in."