Philadelphia will defend Talen Energy Stadium once more this weekend as the Union brace for a D.C. United club that hasn’t lost a road match since their last visit to Philadelphia earlier this season on May 20. The Union will also look to re-start a successful home streak after losing to Vancouver on June 25, snapping a 10-game home unbeaten streak in league play.
What you need to know
D.C. United (5-6-6, 21 points) have performed exceptionally well as a visiting team this year. United are one of only two clubs in the league with fewer losses on the road than at home this season. Stealing one win and five draws on the road so far, D.C. has managed to translate 75 percent of its away games into points this season.
The Black-and-Red are a team that tend to keep the score low on both ends of the field. United are the league’s third-lowest scoring team with 17 goals, leaving D.C. tied with Chicago Fire for the second-fewest goals scored per game as well.
But on the other hand, United’s stingy defensive effort has made up for what the offense lacks and allowed the team to remain competitive as a whole. D.C. has allowed only 17 scores this season – a number low enough to place them first in the Eastern Conference and second in the MLS for fewest goals against.
One of United’s weaknesses – perhaps an unavoidable side effect of such an aggressive defense – is the number of fouls conceded this season. D.C. has conceded more fouls than any other team in the league, averaging more than 15 per game.
Players to Watch
Lamar Neagle, forward: (17 GP, 17 GS, 3g, 4a) Neagle is a workhorse for D.C. United when it comes to offensive production this year. A starter in all 17 of United’s matches so far, the right winger has played 400 more minutes than any other United forward this season. Neagle is currently tied as both the team leader in assists and second-highest goal scorer.
Alvaro Saborio, forward: (11 GP, 6 GS, 4g, 3a) Saborio is the team’s leading scorer, amounting four goals and three assists through only six starts and 11 games played so far. For one of the lowest-scoring teams in the MLS, Saborio’s offensive contributions are critical to D.C. United’s success.
Jared Jeffrey, midfielder: (11 GP, 5 GS, 1g, 0a) Jared Jeffrey has become a frequent option for D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen over the last two months, finding key minutes as both a starter and substitute. He is also the most recent United player to find the back of the net after scoring the 1-1 equalizer as a sub against Real Salt Lake earlier this week.
Possible Lineup
Formation:
4-3-3
Goalkeeper:
Bill Hamid
Defenders:
(left to right) Taylor Kemp, Bobby Boswell, Kofi Opare, Sean Franklin
Midfielders:
(left to right) Nick DeLeon, Marcelo Sarvas, Luciano Acosta
Forward:
(left to right) Fabian Espindola, Alvaro Saborio, Lamar Neagle
Series history
The Union are 6-7-3 all-time against their I-95 rivals, with a 5-3-0 record at Talen Energy Stadium. They’ve now won two straight 1-0 games at home, both of which came in stoppage time – Zach Pfeffer in 2015 and Richie Marquez is 2016.
