D.C. United hosts the San Jose Earthquakes tonight at RFK Stadium (7 p.m. ET; Comcast SportsNet). San Jose is currently 4-6-6, sitting in 8th place in the Western Conference. After finishing first in the West last year, the Earthquakes, like United, are slow to find their form in 2013.
READ: VW Keys to the Match
All-time, DCU is 11-16-6 against the California side. The Black-and-Red has the slight edge in terms of goals, scoring 55 and allowing 53. At home United is 8-8-0 against San Jose, scoring 32 goals and only allowing 25.
San Jose edged out the Colorado Rapids 2-1, earning a victory for interim Head Coach Mark Watson’s first game. Both Steven Lenhart and Sam Cronin tallied for the Quakes, scoring in the 11th and 52nd minute respectively. Although he didn’t notch a goal or assist on Saturday, forward Chris Wondolowski is leading the Earthquakes in both with five goals and three assists.
READ: Friday Training Notes for full injury report
On Saturday at RFK, D.C. United notched an early goal (19’). After Nick DeLeon dribbled through the Toronto FC midfield, he was fouled in the box and earned United a PK. Dwayne De Rosario stepped up and buried the shot—giving DCU an early lead. But, TFC forward Robert Earnshaw evened the score at one in the 30th minute, and an own goal from Daniel Woolard gave the Canadian side the lead just before halftime.
“You continue to go over the film,” said D.C. United assistant coach Chad Ashton. “You continue to look at ‘Hey, this is what happened. These are the mistakes that are happening.’ That’s all you can do—continually try to correct what is going wrong.”
While the Black-and-Red is working on correcting mistakes on the training field, Ashton acknowledges that the squad has to improve its play on gameday.
“We have to have complete focus,” said Ashton. “We have to create more chances to score more goals. And when those chances arise, we have to take advantage of them.”
Head Coach Ben Olsen is remaining positive ahead of today’s matchup, stating the game is an "opportunity" that is United's for the taking.
“The guys’ spirit doesn’t seem to be broken,” said Olsen. “The [players] are committed to fixing it, our staff is committed to fixing it, and the organization has been patient. Here’s another opportunity to ‘right the ship.’ Whether we take that or not—we’ll find out [tonight].”
Join the Black-and-Red tonight at RFK. Buy tickets here.
