Match Preview: D.C. United vs. Philadelphia Union

Match: Philadelphia Union vs D.C. United

Time: 7:00pm EST, 6:00pm CST, 4:00pm PST

Venue: RFK Stadium

Television: NewsChannel 8, The Comcast Network

Streaming: MLS Live (Subscription only)

Referees: Official: CHRIS PENSO AR1: Peter Manikowski AR2: Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho 4th: Younes Marrakchi

All-time Record: 7-8-4, 1 GD

What DC will look like:

A few weeks ago, D.C. United jump started their season against a hapless Union side still looking for their rhythm. Since then, things have still be relatively rocky for both sides. D.C. United are looking to shake off their previous 1-0 loss to the Montreal Impact and the sting of having their coach say some choice words about their performance. D.C. have been all over the map this year. From bad losses to surprising wins, its hard to get an idea of which D.C. United team will show up.

Facing Philadelphia will give D.C. extra motivation. One player that has stepped up in recent weeks is former Union stalwart Sebastien Le Toux. His partnership with the spectacular Luciano Acosta has been awesome to watch. Despite playing for D.C., it is hard to not root for Le Toux to succeed.

D.C. should be more dangerous against Philadelphia than they showed last week against Montreal and not likely to allow Philly any room to maneuver.

What the Union will look like:

Well I never thought I’d see a win, but it came last week in a second half romp of the New York Red Bulls. CJ Sapong continues his absolutely scathing form and, as of writing this, is tied for MLS Golden Boot (!). There’s a desire to breathe a sigh of relief for the Union who finally picked up three points, but don’t breathe too easy. This is still the same team that didn’t win until May of 2017, and this is still the team that was on Chivas USA record pace for goals allowed. Hell, even John Hackworth won a game in 2014 before his firing.

Things haven’t really changed, but maybe their luck has.

Jim Curtin was insistent upon balls not bouncing their way in recent weeks as the main factor in losses, and against New York the man got his wish. The Union caught a few breaks and look at that they won 3-0. If luck continues to happen I can only assume they’ll be playing in next year’s CONCACAF Champions League. OK I’m done.

I’ll give the Union some much deserved defensive credit as a change has clearly resulted in back to back clean sheets. With some missing players, however, I wonder if the Union will struggle without defensive lock down sub Derrick Jones.

What to expect:

CJ Sapong will score, but the Union won’t win. This match has a disappointing draw feel. The Union have a poor road record against their southern I-95 rivals. Results shouldn’t change especially with some banged up players. If the Union can stay compact and limit the creative space Luciano Acosta has, they could see their first win streak of 2017.

Projected lineup: GK: Andre Blake; LB Fabinho, LCB Oguchi Onyewu, RCB Jack Elliott, RB Keegan Rosenberry; CDM Haris Medunjanin, CDM Warren Creavalle; RM Chris Pontius, CAM Alejandro Bedoya, LM Fabian Herbers; ST CJ Sapong

Result: D.C. United 1-1 Philadelphia Union