Preview: D.C. United vs. Philadelphia Union
D.C. United will visit I-95 rival the Philadelphia Union tonight at PPL Park (8 p.m. ET / NBC Sports Network). Fresh off a U.S. Open Cup semifinal victory over Chicago, the Black-and-Red will look to maintain its winning ways against a Union side hoping to solidify its playoff positioning.
With a record of 4-2-4 in its last 10 matches, Philadelphia has steadily moved into fourth place in the Eastern Conference, four points behind first-place New York. Its last action came in a 2-1 loss to the Fire on August 3, however, as a Sheanon Williams goal was canceled out by strikes from Patrick Nyarko and Mike Magee. Earlier this season, the Union edged United 3-2 at RFK Stadium with a brace from leading scorer Jack McInerney, who currently has 10 goals on the season and sits fourth in the MLS scoring charts. But D.C. took a measure of revenge in its Open Cup fourth round tie against Philadelphia, winning 3-1 with a hat trick from Dwayne De Rosario.
United’s cup success continued with a win over the Fire on Wednesday night, giving the team its second-straight victory after defeating Montreal in League play last weekend. De Rosario and Nick DeLeon each scored on either side of halftime to propel D.C. into the Open Cup final, and, just as importantly, maintain the team’s good run of form. Despite a quick turnaround, the Black-and-Red will look to improve on its all-time League record of 3-2-2 against the Union, including a 2-2-0 mark at PPL Park.
After finding the scoresheet against the Fire, midfielder Nick DeLeon highlighted the team’s newfound cohesion, especially with its recent acquisitions.
“We got some late pieces, we got Luis Silva, who has impacted our team tremendously, Conor Doyle, has impacted us as well and we’ve just started to gel. We are starting to put those pieces together and we are starting to put complete performances together. It’s a little late, but it’s starting.”
DeLeon also focused on how the road win over Chicago can give the team momentum for the remainder of the season.
“Yeah I think it gives the team confidence not only for that game but for the season. Maybe we can put in a good streak here at the end and head out of the season strong so we are coming into next year looking fit. We are playing good right now and as far as who we are going to play, it doesn’t matter—it will be a tough game.”