D.C. United vs. Union: Preview, projected lineups, how to watch

Two of the top teams in the East will square off tonight as they both try to expel their mid-season demons. The Philadelphia Union and D.C. United remain among the conference leaders despite picking up only two wins each (out of seven games) since the start of summer. With competition for playoff spots increasing—only seven points separate first-place Atlanta United from eighth-place Toronto FC—inter-conference matchups like this one will prove crucial come the end of the season.

These teams only play each other twice this year, with the second match just three weeks away, but they have met in the U.S. Open Cup this year. DCU emerged victorious in that one thanks to two late goals in the second period of extra time after Anthony Fontana opened the scoring in the 113th minute. Don’t expect the Union to forget that heading into tonight, adding to what is already their most contentious fixture of the season.

The Union are slowly working their way out of an injury jam, with Jamiro Monteiro deemed questionable following his return to full training this week. Considering how slowly Monteiro’s return has come along up to this point, it would be unlikely to see him in the starting lineup tonight. Sergio Santos (ankle sprain) and Fafa Picault (hamstring strain) are also questionable for tonight, meaning that Andrew Wooten may make his first start for the Union. On the disciplinary side of things, Kai Wagner will return to the starting lineup following his suspension for yellow-card accumulation.

For United, Lancaster native Russell Canouse is out with a collapsed lung. The 24-year-old midfielder has made 20 starts this season.

Projected lineups

D.C. United: Bill Hamid; Leonardo Jara, Frédéric Brillant, Steve Birnbaum, Joseph Mora; Chris Durkin, Júnior Moreno; Lucas Rodríguez, Luciano Acosta, Paul Arriola; Wayne Rooney

Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake; Ray Gaddis, Jack Elliott, Auston Trusty, Kai Wagner; Haris Medunjanin, Alejandro Bedoya, Brenden Aaronson, Marco Fabián; Kacper Przybyłko, Andrew Wooten

How to watch

Where: Audi Field, Washington, D.C.

When: 7:30 PM ET, Sunday, August 4, 2019

TV: Fox Sports 1

Streaming: Fox Sports Go, Fox Sports app (with cable subscription) or FuboTV (affiliate link).*

Radio: Union Radio

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