United Notebook
Statistics suggest United should feel confident ahead of the second leg
Heading into Sunday's Eastern Conference Final, United will either end its season on Sunday or overcome a two-goal deficit and go on to host MLS Cup on December 1. The stats suggest the Black-and-Red can do it.
At the end of regular season, only San Jose (72 GF), Los Angeles (59 GF), and New York (57 GF) netted more goals than D.C. United's 53.
D.C. United has 15 multi-goal games this year.
The Black-and-Red have netted four goals three times (against FC Dallas, the New York Red Bulls and Chicago Fire); three goals six different times (against the Houston Dynamo, San Jose Earthquakes, Toronto FC, New England Revolution, Montreal Impact and Columbus Crew); and two goals six different times (against the New England Revolution twice, Toronto FC, New York Red Bulls twice and Colorado Rapids).
D.C. United is tied for 4th in League with most wins by 2+ goals
When it comes to winning games by two goals or more, D.C. United (7) is tied for fourth in the League. Only LA (11), San Jose (9), Seattle (9), Colorado (8), New York (8), and Montreal (8) have one more games by two or more goals.
On the other side of things, Houston is tied for 4th in the League with most losses by 2+ goals. Only Chivas USA (10), Toronto FC (9), New York (8), Montreal (8), and Portland (8) have more losses by two or more goals – none of which are still in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Houston prone to giving up goals on the road
Through 34 regular season games, only two teams given up more goals while on the road than the Houston Dynamo (29) - last place Toronto FC (37) and seventh place Montreal Impact (32).
The Dynamo were 3-9-5 on the road through the regular season, with big losses coming to the Vancouver Whitecaps (3-1 on 6/10), Montreal Impact (4-2 on 6/23), the Chicago Fire (3-1 on 9/2), the Philadelphia Union (3-1 on 9/23), and the Colorado Rapids (2-0 on 10/27).
YOU TELL US: What do you think will happen on Sunday at RFK Stadium?
The Eastern Conference Finals match in Houston will be shown around the world
D.C. United owner Erick Thohir has repeatedly said he wants the club to become "a global brand." During a recent interview about his vision of the club, Thohir said, "Teams like Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Manchester United, AC Milan are known well outside of their immediate borders, and we believe the same thing is possible for D.C. United."
Thanks to efforts by Thohir, D.C. United's playoff run has been shown in Indonesia. The Eastern Conference semifinal match at New York aired on an Indonesian network and the Eastern Conference final will be broadcast as well. Thohir said that if United makes the MLS Cup Final, that match will be broadcast in Indonesia.
In fact, United's clash with the Dynamo will be shown everywhere from Indonesia to Nepal to Germany to the Cayman Islands. Below is a complete list of networks and countries showing D.C. United's match:
- Al Jazeera (Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE and Yemen)
- Arena Sport (Former Yugoslavia - except Slovenia)
- Astro Supersport (Malaysia, Brunei)
- Canal + Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden)
- Kujtesa IPTV (Kosovo)
- Nex- Media (Indonesia)
- Orange (Poland)
- OTE (Greece)
- Rightster (Clips WorldWide)
- Setanta Africa (Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros Islands, Congo Brazzaville, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, St. Helena, Swaziland, Togo, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, Zimbabwe)
- Setanta CIS (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan)
- Skynet (Myanmar)
- SportsMax (Aruba, Bermuda, The Bahamas, The Cayman Islands, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Curacao, The Leeward Islands (including Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts/Nevis, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands), The Windward Islands (including St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Dominica and Grenada), Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and Turks & Caicos)
- Sport 1 (Holland)
- Sport Klub (Hungary)
- Sport TV (Slovenia)
- Starhub Cable Vision (Singapore)
- Sportdigital.tv (Germany, Austria)
- TEN Sports (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka)
- Truevisions (Thailand)
- TV One (Indonesia)
D.C. United advanced to Eastern Conference Final for first time since 2006 on Thursday night. United's players shared their emotions following the thrilling win.
So proud of the boys tonight!! Whole team comes together to get wins!! Beautiful thing to see:) #vamosunited
— Robert I. O. Russell (@RobbieRussell03) November 9, 2012
What a game! And what an incredible feeling this is! So much fan support, pumped and focused on Houston now! #dcu #vamosunited #playoffs
— Dejan Jakovic (@DejanJakovic) November 9, 2012
What a feeling! So proud to be a part of this team!
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) November 9, 2012
YES WE DID!!!
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) November 9, 2012
All I'm gonna say is.. That was for YOU THE FANS!!! We love you!!! Thank you for your support!!! #VAMOSUNTIED #CONFERENCEFINALS
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) November 9, 2012
Incredible game tonight! Love this team! Thank you for all the support #ontothenextone #vamosunited
— Perry Kitchen (@PerryKitchen23) November 9, 2012
NikkkkiiiDddd boi! We just don't stop. This next round should be fun. #vamosunited #playoffs #DCU
— Michael Chabala (@Chabala6) November 9, 2012
Which fan is gonna kiss Nick Deleon's feet first?
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) November 9, 2012
#DCU much love twitter.com/ChrisPontius13…
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) November 9, 2012
Free tickets available to D.C. United fans that can make it to New Jersey
Got so much respect for the DC fans coming back up tonight. Safe travels all
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) November 8, 2012
The club has filled five buses that are heading to Harrison, NJ for tonight's match. However, a limited number of free tickets are still available at Red Bull Arena.
When you arrive at Red Bull Arena, find Box Office B and look for the ticket window designated for D.C. United fans. Arrive early, a limited number are available and we can't guarantee a free ticket for every fan.
If you had a ticket to last night's match, you'll need to replace your ticket with a new ticket at Box Office B.
Box Office B is on the north side of Red Bull Arena.
Morning. Fans+Players=Family... #vamosunited game resumes tnite 8pm
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) November 8, 2012
All I can say is "First Class" #vamosunited fans, organization "First Class"
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) November 8, 2012
DC fans, you were class. Wish we could've played the game for you tonight. Safe travels home and hope to see some of you back tomorrow!
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) November 8, 2012
The fans tonight were incredible! Best fans in the league! #dcunited #vamosunited
— Perry Kitchen (@PerryKitchen23) November 8, 2012
Not gonna comment on what just happend.. But thank you to our fans who made the trip!! You guys r AMAZING!! #DCU
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) November 8, 2012
United we stand. #vamosunited #class #playoffs #NYvDC
— Michael Chabala (@Chabala6) November 8, 2012
Best fans in the MLS.
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) November 8, 2012
The boys were obviously amped up and ready to play tonight. Rest up and do work tomorrow. #iaintgotnoworries #DCU
— Ethan White (@EthanWhite15) November 8, 2012
11 buses of 700 fans chanting "we are staying!" After game gets cancelled... Now THAT is dedication, thank u fans! #dcu #class #playoffs
— Dejan Jakovic (@DejanJakovic) November 8, 2012
D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray attends match and local institutions display club logo.
Mayor Gray and MLS Commissioner Don Garber at RFK Stadium for the playoff match on November 3. (D.C. United owner Jason Levien in the background [left].)
From the Mayor to tower cranes, the District is in full support of D.C. United during its Eastern Conference semifinal series against the New York Red Bulls. Below are some of the many expressions of support from around the city.
Good luck to DC United 2nite in their 2nd-round playoff game against the Red Bulls! #DCU
— Vincent C. Gray (@mayorvincegray) November 7, 2012
Over 500 D.C. United fans expected to attend tonight's match at Red Bull Arena.
D.C. United, in partnership with Major League Soccer and the New York Red Bulls, provided free busses and match tickets to United supporters for the team's second leg match versus the Red Bulls. Over 500 fans signed up for the mid-week trek north to Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ.
Leaders from the Screaming Eagles, Barra Brava, La Norte, and District Ultras helped spread the word and organize the trip.
Busses left from RFK Stadium, Ri-Ra Irish Pub in Arlington, VA, New Carrollton Metro Station in Maryland, and White Marsh Park & Ride in Maryland.
Everyone at D.C. United wishes the fans safe travels. Bring back a win!
#DCU is on the move. I repeat, #DCU is on the move.
— M. (@melly2508) November 7, 2012
Headed to RedBulls Arena 6 buses deep! Let's goooo #dcu #VamosUnited
— Meg Arby (@arby_26) November 7, 2012
Thank you @dcunited! Busses just left RFK, destination Red Bull Arena.
— David Struyk (@DStruyk) November 7, 2012
Let's go! Ready for the bus ride up to NYRB. #DCU twitter.com/armoldjp/statu…
— James Armold (@armoldjp) November 7, 2012
A group of fans prepares to board the busses leaving from RFK Stadium.
Special thanks to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center who lit up the night in support of D.C. United as MLS Cup Playoffs continue for the Black-and-Red. Photos by Kea Taylor/Convention Center
D.C. United visits the Red Bulls in leg 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals tonight at 8:00 PM on NBC Sports Network.
Loving the responses im getting about the fans traveling up for the game!!! Rain sleet or snow doesnt matter!! Love these fans!!!! #BLACKOUT
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) November 6, 2012
Dwayne De Rosario may not be playing in the matches for D.C. United, but he is still a big part of the team. Below is a nice exchange between DeRo and his teammates.
Congrats to @brandonmcdonald for DC defender of the year, well deserved & to @marcelosaragosa for coaches pick & @chrispontius13 team MVP :)
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) November 5, 2012
@dwaynederosario thanks Brother
—M.Saragosa (@MarceloSaragosa) November 5, 2012
@dwaynederosario @brandonmcdonald @marcelosaragosa @chrispontius13 preciate it big man! Let's get u back on the pitch huh!!
— Brandon McDonald (@BMcDonald4) November 6, 2012
@dwaynederosario appreciate it boss. Repeating what @bmcdonald4 said, lets get you back out on the field
— Chris Pontius (@ChrisPontius13) November 6, 2012
@marcelosaragosa well deserved my man
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) November 5, 2012
@chrispontius13 well deserved kid.
— Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) November 6, 2012