United will look to cap off a lengthy four-game road stretch with three points in their date with Toronto FC Saturday evening (NewsChannel 8, 7:30 PM ET). Toronto is the fourth and final match of the stretch for the Black-and-Red, after playing five of their last six games on the road, three of which included crucial Eastern Conference battles.
The Black-and-Red earned comeback draws in two of their last three road games and head coach Ben Olsen says the team would like to capitalize by attacking early this weekend in addition to their conference-best defense.
“We’re talking a little bit more about pushing that and making sure we also understand that we can get three points on the road,” Olsen said. “One is good, especially when you come from behind, but we would like to get three points this weekend.”
Currently, United sit just one point off of the sixth and final MLS Playoff spot behind New England and five of the next six opponents that United will face are grasping for a playoff ticket. After their match in Toronto, the Black-and-Red return to RFK Stadium for the first time since their 2-0 victory over the New England Revolution on June 25. D.C. face Ignacio Piatti and the Montreal Impact in a Sunday evening clash on July 31. Montreal have not won a game since July 2, but Didier Drogba has returned after missing three matches and has five goals and five assists this year while speedy Ghanaian forward Dominic Oduro has also been a vital part of the Impact lineup, with four goals and five assists in 19 games played.
In recent months, New York City FC, along with the Philadelphia Union, have unanimously led the way in the Eastern Conference race and sit on top of the table with 33 points. Despite a 7-0 home embarrassment in the New York Derby, the team has played quality soccer with a healthy Frank Lampard and Tommy McNamara in the midfield as well as a thriving David Villa up top, who has racked up 13 goals and an assist. Rookie midfielder Jack Harrison is quickly making a name for himself with three goals and two assists in just eight appearances this season.
The Union sit in second place, just three points behind New York City FC. Another rookie making noise is defender Keegan Rosenberry, who has impressed the entire league with his speed and agility, so much so that he was named a 2016 MLS All-Star just 20 games into his professional career. C.J. Sapong (six goals, two assists) and Roland Alberg (six goals, one assist) have led the finishing for the Union while Sebastien Le Toux seems to have the magic touch with a team-high five assists. Jamaican goalkeeper Andre Blake was also named to the 2016 MLS-All Star roster and has been impressive, recording 58 saves and four shutouts so far this year. United face the Union for the second time in a month and final time this regular season on Aug. 6, but will be on home turf this go-around.
The Black-and-Red then finish the four-game home stretch with a crucial Atlantic Cup battle against the New York Red Bulls. The last time the two teams faced each other, United won 2-0 in a great offensive performance at home in May. The Red Bulls sit in third place in the East with 28 points and show no sign of turning back, thanks to quality performances from players like Sacha Kljestan, who has four goals and ten assists this season. However, something will be different when the Red Bulls return to RFK on Aug. 21 for a Sunday matinee.
This time, midfielder Lloyd Sam will be on the field wearing Black-and-Red when he faces his former team for the first time. Sam was traded to United on July 7 and looks comfortable, quickly adjusting and making himself at home with his new teammates.
“I feel like they know me pretty well and I’ve played against [United] a lot of times,” Sam said. “After a week of training, that’s all it took, really.”
With some rest, new team members (including two-time MAC Hermann Trophy winner Patrick Mullins) and the advantage of an upcoming home stretch, the Black-and-Red will look to capitalize and rack up as many points as they can, in order to stay in contention in this year’s exciting Eastern Conference race as the Playoff push rapidly approaches.
