After winning the first match of the 2016 Atlantic Cup back in May courtesy of first-half goals from Álvaro Saborío and Patrick Nyarko, the Black-and-Red host the New York Red Bulls at RFK for the final time this season with a chance to clinch the Atlantic Cup (3 PM, ESPN).
The rivalry between United and the Red Bulls is one of the oldest in MLS, dating back to the league’s inception in 1996. "It’s a rivalry; they're a team that we hate and they hate us,” said D.C. United defender Sean Franklin. Beginning in 2002, the winner of the three-match regular season series between the two is awarded the Atlantic Cup trophy. The match will also be the 70th regular season meeting between the teams, the most of any matchup in the league for United. “I’m sure all our players are looking forward to it… it’s still New York [vs.] D.C.,” said head coach Ben Olsen, who is the second-leading goal scorer in the history of the rivalry. “Every player that steps on the field from both organizations will be fired up and be at their best.”
New York represent D.C. United’s final fixture in a four-match homestand where they have earned five points against Montreal, Philadelphia and Portland. The win against the Timbers snapped a six-game winless streak for D.C. United after Steve Birnbaum and Luciano Acosta sealed the win for the Black-and-Red. Winger Lloyd Sam has been a difference maker in a rejuvenated attack since joining United from the Red Bulls in July and will look for another strong performance in his first game against his old club. “We just want three points… I think closer to the time, it will be a bit weird to see them on the other side,” said Sam of facing his former teammates. “But right now, we just need to beat whoever’s in front of us, which happens to be New York this week.”
With just 11 matches remaining in the regular season, United need to seize every opportunity at home to pick up valuable points in an extremely tight Eastern Conference playoff race. A win against their rivals would extend their unbeaten streak to four games and could prove to be the spark United need to kick-start momentum.
“I think we felt like overall we’ve let some points get away a little bit, so to put up the full three is a big deal. But for our mindset, we need to start and finish off games,” said D.C. United assistant coach Chad Ashton in reference to last week’s win over Portland. “To know that we’re capable of doing that, and to do it against the reigning champs, it’s a big deal. I think we felt like we were moving forward, and this feels like another step forward, and hopefully we can build on that.”
The Red Bulls return to the nation’s capital in fine form, after going unbeaten in the league since July 3 when they lost 2-0 to New York City F.C. They also have the league’s most prolific attack, propelled by midfielder Sacha Kljestan and forward Bradley Wright-Phillips. Kljestan has recorded 14 assists and is the motor for a well-organized midfield that has helped produce 43 goals this season. Wright-Phillips, who tied the MLS single-season scoring record with 27 goals in 2014, has scored 14 goals and continues to be one of the league’s most dangerous strikers.
Though the Red Bulls have been strong this season, they’ve won only one road game and D.C. United will look to build off of their win against Portland and string together two consecutive wins for the first time this season. After moving above the playoff line with their win last week, Olsen and United will strive to continue earning points and climbing up the Eastern Conference standings.
