Brotherly Game - The Whole Story: Matchday 29 the Union go to Washington The beautiful game with a Philadelphia attitudehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48005/brotherlygame-fave.png2014-10-16T08:00:02-04:00http://www.brotherlygame.com/rss/stream/66133402014-10-16T08:00:02-04:002014-10-16T08:00:02-04:00The DoopCast tries to find the good in the bad.
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<p>The DoopCast fellows discuss the DC United and Chicago debacles.</p> <p>Well, well, well... With the <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Union</a> clinging on to faint playoff hopes by their fingernails like Wile E Coyote hanging off the edge of a cliff, the boys in blue looked anxious and tighter than Jim Curtin's suits. Gone was the free-flowing panache of the Open Cup Final and in it's place was an approach more cautious than a seventh grade Dr. Who fan at the middle school dance asking one of the popular girls to cut a rug with him.</p>
<p>The offense looked as devoid of creative ideas as a CBS sitcom. The defense looked slow and ponderous at best, and disinterested at worst. Where did the spark and fight go? Has Curtin finally run out of ideas? Have the players simply heard everything Jim has to offer and can no longer lift themselves in the toughest part of the season? The truth is probably more aligned to the fact that the Union have a bench that is shorter than Peter Dinklage and a GM who is happy with mediocrity, despite his protestations to the contrary. Have a listen to what Richie, Pat, and Dan made of all this terrible, disappointing, and confusing mess.</p>
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https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/10/16/6982529/dc-utd-and-chicago-get-the-doopcast-treatmentRichie_the_Limey2014-10-01T13:00:02-04:002014-10-01T13:00:02-04:00Good, Bad, Ugly Philadelphia Union; Match Day 30
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<figcaption>Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A second straight drab outing for the Union. This time they fail to take at least a point from the match and the playoff hole keeps getting deeper.</p> <p><b>The Good: Chances</b></p>
<p>It was difficult to pull much from this game in the good category. <span>Vincent Nogueira</span> has been sharp in the midfield, zipping all across the field, but failed to have any impact on the final third of the field. He's by far the best <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union</a> player, but has offensive shortcomings. So the one thing that was impressive was the amount of crosses and passes put into the box for the Union offense.</p>
<p>The Union tallied nine corners throughout the game, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/">D.C. United</a> was forced into making 50 clearances - twice as many as the Union on the day. It was just too easy though for the home side. <span>Conor Casey</span> fights valiantly in the box, but beyond the bruiser in the middle, there really is no other influence there. One thing that should be pointed out was the blatant penalty call missed in the first half. Casey went to cut in front of Hamid on a cross and never made it because of a clear shoulder charge to the middle of his back by D.C. center back Bobby Boswell. How that was missed is beyond me.</p>
<p><b>The Bad: Substitutions</b></p>
<p>For the third straight game the players brought in to the game have had little to no impact on the game. Against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a> in the US Open Cup Final the gap in talent was the difference in the game. Seattle's<span> <span>Obafemi Martins</span></span> was too much for the Union defense to handle and was the tipping point in Seattle's win.</p>
<p>Against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> the team was tired, sluggish, and lifeless. None of the subs coming into the game lifted the side to a much needed win. The tempo and flow of the game remained the same, and there wasn't ever a point where it felt like the team got better because of who was brought on. Much the same can be said about Saturday afternoon against D.C. A lifeless offense showed no greater signs of breaking out of their shell after <span>Danny Cruz</span>, Brian Brown, or <span>Pedro Ribeiro</span> entered the game.</p>
<p>Now, I'm not trying to say that it is all the fault of the players, even if their talent level is a huge drop off as compared to the starters. There is a level of responsibility that falls on the shoulders of Jim Curtin. A second forward has never been brought on the field without taking Casey off the field. The big man remains stranded on an island up top or on the bench, never as part of a forward partnership. There is a lack of creativity in the subs and the majority of them remain like for like changes. Is the "interim" coach out of ideas already?</p>
<p><b>The Ugly: Missing Offense, if found, please return to Philadelphia</b></p>
<p>Once thought to be one of the leagues most exciting offenses, putting up multiple goals game after game, the question is now turning from "When will the Union score again?" to "Will they score again?" The Union have not scored in 262 minutes,off off a free kick. Take that and the <span>Sebastien Le Toux</span> penalty against New York out, it has been 349 minutes since scoring from open play. Those are some scary numbers.</p>
<p>As touched on before, the ideas seem to have run dry. Each game, it is the same Starting XI run out in the same formation, trying the same strategy, and the results have run dry. Casey is up top by himself. The wingers have little influence inside the box, other than crossing. <span>Cristian Maidana</span> and Nogueira form a great passing tandem through the middle, but both offer little to nothing in the scoring department. With Nogueira and Maidana given more free roles, Okugo is set with the task of protecting the back four and can't get into the attack.</p>
<p>The attack has worked best on the counter attack, but there seems to be a simple way to breakdown the Union offense - <i>score first</i>. When the Union have given up the first goal, they have only earned 3 points under Curtin in the 14 games he has been in charge. When giving up the first goal the Union have lost to DC 1-0, tied New York 2-2, lost to Houston 2-0, tied Sporting KC 1-1, tied Chicago 1-1, and lost to Dallas 2-1. The New York game though was one where starters were brought off the bench and made a major impact, and the Chicago game was saved by a stoppage time penalty. Both games were loses without being saved by a referee making a call and LeToux slotting home a penalty like he always does. Even under <span>John Hackworth</span>, the Union haven't won a game after giving up the first goal of the game.</p>
<p>Something has to change to spark the Union offense to life. Four more games, three of them at home, and 3 points to make up behind New York. Plenty of work to be done, not much time to get it done.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/10/1/6873583/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-philadelphia-union-match-day-30Andrew Stoltzfus2014-09-29T07:00:02-04:002014-09-29T07:00:02-04:00Game Changers needs to be on the same page
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<figcaption>Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Every week we "Monday Morning Manage" every game with our fellow Union faithful. What could have been done better? What were the missed opportunities? Did that sub really need to happen? We bring all the talking points to you each week right here.</p> <p>Another week closer to the end of the MLS regular season, another game without getting a win for the <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Union</a> as <a href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">D.C. United</a> extended their lead atop the East standings with a 1-0 win. Like other recent performances, it was a poor one for the Union, with no real clear cut chance created. What were the turning points of the game?</p>
<p><b>1. Jim Curtin being found out and unable to change things.</b></p>
<p>When a new coach takes over, you often get a bump in performance. This can be due to the players being happy the previous coach is gone, the new coach having superior tactical ability, or the new coach setting a team out with a style that is unknown and unprepared for. You could certainly say that all 3 reasons are responsible for the Union having a great 2-3 months under Jim Curtin.</p>
<p>However, in the last few games there has been evidence that other teams have figured out how to play against the Union. If you sit back and refuse to be hit on the counter attack, then Philadelphia struggle to create chances to score. They tend to rely on set-pieces and <span>Sheanon Williams</span> long throw, and when that isn't working well the Union will be unable to score, and have now been blanked in two straight important league games. It isn't quite as bad as Burnley's 10 hours of "DOOP" free play, but it is a trend that was there under Hackworth, and is coming back into play.</p>
<p>Jim Curtin is going to have to figure out how to get goals when his team isn't relying on counter-attacks. That usually means taking more risks, even playing with two strikers and a different formation. When the Curtin reign started, he was playing with four "forwards" who rotated in and out of their positions, causing trouble for opposing defenses. Even that has seemingly changed, and the play is similar to what we saw under Hackworth.</p>
<p><b>2. <span>Sebastien Le Toux's</span> injury.</b></p>
<p>It was innocuous. Sebastien Le Toux tried to block a pass, and landed awkwardly on his ankle. At first I saw that Le Toux was down hurt, and didn't think anything of it as he often picks up knocks where he stays down for a bit. However, when you see the replay, you clearly see the ankle buckle, and an MRI being scheduled is never a good sign.</p>
<p>Going forward, it is a big loss to the Union if Seba is out. He tends to be the on-field influence that gets the team going, with his all out hustle style. His speed and non-stop running are vital for the Union's tactics to work. If the ankle injury is going to keep him out for 2-3 weeks, that includes the three vital home games against <a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Fire</a>, <a href="https://www.massivereport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Columbus Crew</a> and <a href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sporting Kansas City</a>. The injury therefore may not just be a game-changing injury for this game, but could signal the end of the Union's playoff push.</p>
<p>As for this game, obviously an early injury is going to be a problem irrespective of who is injured. The Union lost their talisman goalscorer and had to use on one of the potential substitutes early in the game (<span>Danny Cruz</span>) before they are primed to make an impact against tired defenders. The injury was something that made the game far easier for D.C. United than the Union would have liked.</p>
<p><b>3. Forwards and midfielders being on the wrong page.</b></p>
<p>When things are going well, teammates tend to know exactly where each other will be. At this point in the season, there's no excuse for being as out of sync as the Union were on Saturday. The best example of this was early in the second half, when <span>Andrew Wenger</span> got past his defender and had an open <span>Conor Casey</span> to pick out. As he probably should, Casey sat back for a cut back and easy finish. Wenger decided that Casey was going to keep his run going towards the goal, and played it across goal for nobody.</p>
<p>There were numerous times during the game that a Union attack ended because of such decisions. Going back to the tactical difference of playing counter-attack soccer and having to play a more possession based attack this inability to understand what your team-mate is going to do with the ball is much more of an issue playing possession soccer as in the counter-attack passes are much more frequently played in front of teammates.</p>
<p><b>4. Defenders falling asleep at the wrong times.</b></p>
<p>Early in the season, the Philadelphia Union defense tended to fall asleep and give up goals. The same thing happened on Saturday, when Sheanon Williams didn't notice the wide open Luis Silva. Silva got his head onto a cross from <span>Chris Korb</span> and flicked a header inside the far corner. Goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi had no chance to make a save, and just like happened with <span>Zac MacMath</span> in goal earlier in the season, the defense let him down. It was 1-0 DC, and they could sit back and let the Union struggle to create. In this case, Sheanon has to be right on the shoulder of the striker, ready to clear the ball if it came anywhere near Silva.</p>
<p>Later in the game, there were also other chances for D.C. due to Union players falling asleep. A long clearance from <span>Bill Hamid</span> found <span>Fabian Espindola</span> racing in. Both central defenders were asleep to allow Espindola in behind them, and M'Bolhi was stuck standing on his line, meaning when he did race out he was nowhere near being able to get to the ball. Luckily for the Union, <span>Carlos Valdes</span> managed to get back on the line, and make two great clearances while his central defensive partner for the day <span>Maurice Edu</span> jogged back.</p>
<p>When you add in those two clearances, as well as United being unable to control the ball or make the right pass on second half breakaways, the scoreline could have been much more than the 1-0 loss the Union received.</p>
<p><b>5. Wanting three starting quality goalkeepers instead of striking depth.</b></p>
<p>While not really a game changing moment, the season changing moment may be the decision to sign a third "starting quality goalkeeper" instead of beefing up the Union striking corps. At the time, we were told by Curtin that we didn't need another striker. I assume he was happy with Brian Brown, <span>Antoine Hoppenot</span>, <span>Aaron Wheeler</span> and <span>Pedro Ribeiro</span> as backup for the aging and probably hurting Conor Casey. However, that is turning out to be false faith in the backups, and even worse it looks like Casey has ran out of gas having probably been pushed too hard in the last few months. The Union need striking options, and those I had listed simply are not good enough at the position. That's okay though - Sakiewicz still has the best backup goalkeepers in MLS.</p>
<p>Coming up for the Union is three home games that the Union simply have to win. Against a resurgent Columbus and the always dangerous Sporting Kansas City that isn't an easy task. Let's hope that Jim Curtin finds a way of turning the season back around in the Union's favor.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/9/29/6858595/monday-morning-game-changers-limps-onbluetooner2014-09-27T21:33:28-04:002014-09-27T21:33:28-04:00RECAP: D.C. United 1-0 Union
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<figcaption>Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Union's playoff prospects continue to fade away following a 1-0 loss to D.C. United on Saturday afternoon.</p> <p>D.C. United came into this match in first place in the Eastern Conference and looking ahead toward the playoffs. The Union came into this match winless since their 6-point sweep of Toronto earlier this month. The first place team pretty easily disposed of the slumping fringe playoff team 1-0 thanks to an early goal enabling them to sit on the lead as the Union flailed about RFK Stadium for 90 minutes. To bullet points, ahoy!</p>
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<li><span>The <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Union</a> are at their best when they are counter-attacking team. The Union started playing that way but then the first half morphed into the second half and D.C. United decided to sit back and let the Union control possession in the second half. The second half result was a performance reminiscent of the Hackworth era where the Union would have possession but fail to deliver many scoring chances of any quality.</span></li>
<li><span><span>Sebastien Le Toux</span> injured his ankle in the first half and had to be subbed out of the game for Danny Cruz. Not only did this negatively impact the Union's performance, but Le Toux's resurgence has been a key component in the Union making run at the playoffs this season. For both the sake of his health and the team's playoff chase, hopefully the injury is not serious.</span></li>
<li><span>Did the Union complete a pass in the final third today? The attack was very much out of sorts all afternoon long.</span></li>
<li><span><a href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">D.C. United's</a> lone goal came off a failed Union clearance. Edu deflected Chris Korb's attempt but the ball went right back to Korb instead of away, and Korb took the opportunity to cross the ball to Luis Silva. Silva rose above everyone and headed it past a flat-footed Rais M'Bolhi to give D.C. a lead they'd never relinquish.</span></li>
<li><span><span>Carlos Valdes</span> single-handedly kept the Union in this game in the first half. When a DCU break led to M'Bolhi coming off his line, <span>Fabian Espindola</span> easily slipped the ball past the Union keeper but Valdes made a diving clearance, only for the ball to come to Espindola who passed to Silva. Silva easily beat M'Bolhi but Valdes emerged from the net to clear that off the line as well. Without Valdes, the Union may have been absolute toast today.</span></li>
<li><span>This is not breaking any news or anything, but RFK Stadium is a horrible venue for just about everything. The sun-shadow contrast was so stark that it was virtually impossible to make out what was happening in the shade for most of the game.</span></li>
<li><span>The Union now find themselves in 7th place and three points behind 5th place <a href="https://www.onceametro.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Red Bulls</a> and two points behind 6th place Toronto.</span></li>
<li><span>The Union have four matches left in the season to get back in the playoffs. Two matches against Columbus, one match against <a href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sporting Kansas City</a>, and their next one, a home game against the <a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Fire</a>. It may be at the point where if the Union do not win their next three matches, they may likely find themselves outside of the playoffs for a third straight season.</span></li>
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https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/9/27/6855099/union-d-c-united-recap-union-mls-playoffsJustin F.2014-09-26T12:00:03-04:002014-09-26T12:00:03-04:00DC United vs Philadelphia Union Preview
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<p>Time to put on your hard hats once again as the Union venture into the crumbling confines of RFK Stadium to take on the Eastern Conference leading DC United.</p> <p><b>A little thing called rest</b></p>
<p>After a busy stretch for the Union, they will finally get a week of rest before heading on a short road trip to DC. After 3 games in 7 days there should be no excuses for heavy legs and lifeless form like we saw against Houston. In that three game span <span>Maurice Edu</span> and Ray Gaddis have played 300 minutes, <span>Ethan White</span> 262, <span>Andrew Wenger</span> 261, Seba LeToux 247, Cristian Maidana 239 and <span>Vincent Nogueira</span> 230 being the heaviest lifters.</p>
<p>On the flip side of that rest, DC is coming into the match without the benefit of a weeks rest, having traveled to Jamaica in the CONCACAF Champions League on Tuesday the 16th, to Chicago for a league match up on Saturday the 20th, and then a home match in the CCL against Costa Rican side Tauro on Wednesday the 24th. DC did a great job of rotating their roster through those games, using 24 different players and having only 1 player play more than 180 minutes.</p>
<p><b>Playoff Picture</b></p>
<p>The Union and United sit in very different spots right now in the conference. DC is atop the standings, but Sporting KC just 3 points behind and New England 6 points back. Dropping points could see that hold of the top spot loosen enough to give one of those teams a foot in the door. The Union on the other hand fell off Columbus' pace to the 5th and final playoff spot with their draw last week. Now 2 points back from Columbus and 3 from New York, there is ground to make up.</p>
<p>Is this a must-win game? No, we're not at that point yet in the season. However, with New York heading to LA to face the Galaxy and New England heading to Kansas City there is a real opportunity to make up some ground in the playoff chase. Keeping Columbus within less than 3 points is key though. If that gap widens to 3 or more points it means that the Union will be forced to win both games against Columbus the rest of the season to even have a chance of making the playoffs.</p>
<p><b>Form</b></p>
<p>It has been a draining week on the Union, not only in terms of minutes played, but in results. Within the league the Union gambled against the Red Bulls, resting several starters and barely squeezing out a draw and then a tired team was held against a struggling <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> team, also at home, it what could only be described as a missed opportunity and 2 dropped points. The US Open Cup final was 120 minutes of pure emotion that came crashing down as Seattle's substitutions were the difference and the Sounders finished the night celebrating on the PPL Park pitch.</p>
<p>DC United's league form has been struggling after a loss to New York was followed up by a 3-3 draw in Chicago that was not void of controversy. DC has not won in the league in the month of September. They've also been dealing with the CCL Champions League, as previously stated, and their win in Jamaica against Waterhouse gave them control of the group, needing just a single point from their last two games against Tauro to clinch the group and a knockout berth.</p>
<p><b>Predictions</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">M'Bolhi</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Williams - Valdes - Edu - Gaddis</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Nogueira - Okugo</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">LeToux - Maidana - Wenger</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Casey</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">No reason to rush White back even if he does recover from injury in time. Curtin has a very obvious favorite starting XI and if he was willing to start them against Houston on short rest, there is no reason he should feel the need to make changes, except for injury, on a full week of rest.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>DC United 1-2 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/">Philadelphia Union</a></b></p>
<p>These match ups are always testy and anything can happen, but with DC playing their 6th game in 21 days I am expecting a late Union win as they outlast their rivals. No points are easy in this series and if the Union can come out with all 3 points it will go a long way to energizing the team down the stretch to push for the playoffs.</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/9/26/6838375/match-day-30-dc-united-vs-philadelphia-unionAndrew Stoltzfus2014-09-26T09:15:02-04:002014-09-26T09:15:02-04:003 questions with Black and Red United
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<figcaption>Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Get to know thine enemy Union fans, we rung up Black and Red United and asked them three questions about DC United and the upcoming match.</p> <p>We spoke to Ben Bromley from SB Nation's DC United site, Black and Red United and asked his three questions about the team and the match this weekend. He sounded about as buoyant as a fan of a team in the drivers seat should.</p>
<p><b>tBG:</b> With DCU winning the USOC last year and now performing so well in the league and CCL, what has the mood been like around the capital? Could this be the birth of a new DC dynasty?</p>
<p><b>B&RU: </b>I wouldn't call it a dynasty yet, but I think that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/">D.C. United</a> have a good corps of young players surrounded by savvy veterans. However, the next challenge that <span>Ben Olsen</span> faces is whether or not he can build on the success of one year and continue that success over a number of years. I think that he has grown a lot as a coach, and has learned from the disaster that was 2013, as has general manager Dave Kasper. But if United can get this level of production (or more) from players like <span>Bill Hamid</span>, <span>Perry Kitchen</span>, <span>Luis Silva</span>, <span>Kofi Opare</span>, <span>Steve Birnbaum</span>, Samuel Inkoom, <span>Taylor Kemp</span>, <span>Chris Korb</span>, and more, the team will be on a good footing for the next few years.</p>
<p><b>tBG:</b> How has the off the field drama left the fan base feeling about the team in general? Is this a team of mercenaries built to perform for one season or has the experience that was brought in helped bring some fledgling youth players forward?</p>
<p><b>B&RU: </b>I think that the veterans that D.C. United brought in, especially on defense, have really been key to developing the younger players on the team. Steve Birnbaum and Kofi Opare could not ask for better teachers than <span>Bobby Boswell</span> and <span>Jeff Parke</span>, both of whom are noted for their soccer intelligence and ability to read the game. <span>Davy Arnaud</span> and Perry Kitchen have immediately developed a relationship, and Kitchen has taken another step in his play this year; it might have happened without Arnaud, but I am sure Arnaud has helped. And young attacking players like Luis Silva, <span>Conor Doyle</span>, <span>Michael Seaton</span>, and <span>Nick DeLeon</span> can only benefit from the experience of <span>Chris Rolfe</span>, <span>Fabian Espindola</span>, and <span>Eddie Johnson</span>.<br>Not to mention the fact that players like Chris Rolfe, Bobby Boswell, Eddie Johnson, and Fabian Espindola are still young enough to play in DC for a couple of years.<br>As for the off the field drama, it is what it has been for the past 10 years. With a possible resolution in the next few months, the fans are noticeably on edge; however, this has not affected anyone's support of the team that I can see.</p>
<p><b>tBG:</b> Who would you like to play first in the playoffs and why?</p>
<p><b>B&RU: </b>For me, it has to be the MetroStars, just because beating them in the playoffs is always the most fun. If they fall out of the playoff hunt, then I would probably want to play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.massivereport.com/">Columbus Crew</a>. There are some good 2012 memories against them, even if other years they have proved a thorn in the side of D.C. United.</p>
<h4>Line up and prediction</h4>
<p>Lineup: Bill Hamid, <span>Sean Franklin</span>, Bobby Boswell, Steve Birnbaum, Taylor Kemp; Samuel Inkoom, Davy Arnaud, Perry Kitchen, <span>Chris Pontius</span>; Fabian Espindola, Luis Silva</p>
<p>Prediction: At home, I will take a 2-1 victory for United.</p>
<p>He will surely read the comments, have something you want DC fans to know? Let them have it below in the comments</p>
https://www.brotherlygame.com/2014/9/26/6849097/dcunited-united-union-philadelphia-espindola-parke-whiteWm Murphy