For United, a win on Saturday would be their third in a row, extending their unbeaten streak to seven matches and moving them into the sixth-place spot, and final playoff spot, in the Eastern Conference. For Dallas, three points would help solidify their spot atop the Western Conference, with Sporting Kansas City and LAFC following close behind. Both teams will need to make adjustments, though, with international call-ups affecting available personnel for Saturday.
The Black-and-Red will be without midfielders Júnior Moreno (Venezuela) and Ulises Segura (Costa Rica), and forwards Darren Mattocks and Dane Kelly (Jamaica). Dallas will be missing defenders Reggie Cannon (U.S.) and Maynor Figueroa (Honduras), and midfiedler Carlos Gruezo (Ecuador).
United head coach Ben Olsen will be left with difficult choices to make with the players' absences, especially in the midfield. The Black-and-Red have boasted one of the most dangerous and efficient midfields since opening Audi Field, strengthened by having such a solid rotation of players like Moreno, Segura, Luciano Acosta, Paul Arriola, Yamil Asad, Zoltán Stieber, and Russell Canouse. Due to recent injuries, Arriola dropped back into defense in United's last match, with Segura taking his starting spot on the wing. Segura's absence will mean United's coaching staff will have to decide if Arriola shifts back into the midfield, or if Stieber, Ian Harkes, or another depth midfielder, gets the starting nod.
Moreno's departure also leaves the Black-and-Red with a hole to fill in the defensive midfield, should the coaching staff decide to stick with their typical 4-2-3-1 formation. Moreno has paired with Canouse in 10 of United's last 13 matches, helping D.C. earn a 8-2-3 record since he returned to the starting lineup on July 28. The Venezuelan has been a quiet workhorse, not flashy in his play but sharp in his vision and distribution, and strong on the defensive side of the ball.
Homegrown Chris Durkin is likely to step in for Moreno, and has earned his fair share of minutes during the 2018 season. Since making his Major League Soccer debut in United's season opener in Orlando on March 3, Durkin has appeared in 21 games and played 1,323 minutes, and has proven he is one of the top young American talents currently in the league.
Without Mattocks and Kelly available off the bench, the Black-and-Red will also need to look elsewhere for a late-game spark, something that Mattocks has provided throughout the season. When United have found themselves down in the second half, Mattocks has been able to give that much-needed jolt of energy off the bench, and remains United's leading goal-scorer with 10 goals on the year. Ben Olsen's squad will hope they can establish a lead and prevent the need for added offensive firepower late in the match, but should they have to turn to the bench, forward Bruno Miranda or midfielder Ian Harkes may get their chance to be a difference maker.
For the visitors, the departure of Homegrown Reggie Cannon will challenge Dallas' backline to maintain the same level of stinginess that Cannon normally leads. The 20-year-old leads Dallas in minutes played this season and has started every game, proving himself as one of the league's hardest defenders to beat from his right back spot. While Cannon is away for his first senior team call-up, United have a prime chance to attack that side of the pitch. Yamil Asad, who normally starts on the left flank, will try to make the most of Cannon's absence, while Rooney and Acosta may shift more to the left as well.
Maynor Figueroa's call-up will also hurt Dallas' defensive depth, as the Honduran is not a usual starter, but has filled in throughout the season, starting 11 games and making 16 appearances. Designated Player Carlos Gruezo is a steady presence in Dallas' starting XI, though, normally lining up alongside Victor Ulloa in the defensive midfield, and contributing two goals and one assist this year. With both Gruezo and Cannon missing from the right side, the Black-and-Red will need to make the most of their chances up the left flank as they try to continue their winning ways at home.
While neither side will be at full strength, both teams will be locked in and ready to fight for three points in such a pivotal part of the season. Join the Black-and-Red at Audi Field this Saturday as they attempt to shut down the West's No. 1 team and make the jump above the playoff line.
