After beginning the 2016 MLS campaign with two straight matches on the road, D.C. United will relish the opportunity to play in front of their home fans as they welcome the Colorado Rapids Sunday evening. United boasted a record of 11-3-3 at RFK stadium last season and began last year with a 20 game unbeaten streak at home that started in 2014 and was snapped on June 6th against Toronto FC.
Fans were treated to a preview of what’s to come during an open training session held Wednesday in beautiful 75-degree weather. The squad looked sharp and focused as they trained under sunny skies at RFK Stadium.
Having secured a valuable away point in last Saturday’s 0-0 draw against the New England Revolution, the Black-and-Red will want to build upon their strong defensive showing, while also turning an eye towards attacking play. Fans will be encouraged knowing that United are undefeated in their last five meetings with the Rapids, having scored in all but one of these matches.
New signing Marcelo, who played last season with the Rapids, will surely be looking forward to facing his old club. The Brazilian, who may feel he has something to prove after an injury-plagued 2015 in Colorado, has been indispensable so far this season for United, anchoring the center of midfield and making a positive impact on both sides of the ball. The former LA Galaxy man has been an invigorating presence in the middle of the park for the Black-and-Red, bringing a mix of physicality, composure, and tactical prowess to the team’s new-look midfield. Against the Revolution last Saturday, Marcelo led United in both tackles and passes completed.
Other new faces who have started strong for United include Lamar Neagle, formerly of Seattle Sounders FC, whose first-week goal against the Galaxy opened United’s regular-season scoring. Lamar has fit in well up top, providing the attack a more dynamic option and the ability to make direct runs through the opposing defense. In a team with a strong veteran presence, new additions like Marcelo, Neagle and Patrick Nyarko are fitting right in to the Black-and-Red locker room.
The same goes for United's young addition, Argentine playmaker Luciano Acosta. At just 21 years of age, “Lucho”—who joined United from South American giants Boca Juniors—has already broken into the Black-and-Red starting eleven, and has looked promising in the early stages of the season. Acosta’s low center of gravity and creativity on the dribble makes him an elusive puzzle for opposing defenders to solve. As he continues to build relationships with teammates on and off the pitch, his presence offers an exciting new dimension to United’s attack.
Colorado, meanwhile, will travel to the nation’s capital hoping to extend their winning streak. After dropping their opening match to the San Jose Earthquakes, the Rapids rebounded last Saturday with a narrow victory at home against the Los Angeles Galaxy thanks to a 95th-minute goal from Marco Pappa, who came on in the 67th minute for Dominque Badji. The Rapids dominated the stat sheet, controlling 58 percent of the possession and out shot LA 8-1 with shots on frame. It was a step in the right direction for a club that finished at the bottom of the table in 2015 at 9-15-10. Their new additions are clearly making an early impact as well.
However, it may be one step forward and two steps back for the Rapids, who will be without a few pieces on Sunday. Recent Designated Player signing, Albanian international striker Shkëlzen Gashi, has been suspended for this match by the Disciplinary Committee for an infraction during the LA Galaxy match. New signing Jermaine Jones will not make his debut until April due to a previous suspension. Jones was suspended for six matches for his October 28 outburst at referee Mark Geiger, while playing for the Revolution in their MLS Cup playoff loss to United, but you already knew that...
Kickoff for Sunday’s match is set for 5:00 PM and tickets are still available here.
