United host the Chicago Fire for the only time this season at RFK Saturday (7 PM, NewsChannel 8) in a match that suddenly holds more value given the visitors' good recent run of form.
For D.C., the match represents a golden chance to grab three essential points at home and remain in the hunt for the MLS Cup Playoffs. After securing six points from the month-long homestand, United return to RFK after drawing the Impact 1-1 in Montreal on Wednesday. A win against Veljko Paunovic’s side would build valuable momentum heading into next week’s trip to Yankee Stadium to face New York City FC and keep the Black-and-Red unbeaten in their last six matches. The Fire, meanwhile, have strung together back-to-back impressive performances, blanking Montreal 3-0 and drawing LA 2-2 Wednesday night.
The Black-and-Red are comprised of several former Fire players, including Chris Rolfe, Patrick Nyarko and Kennedy Igboananike (the most recent player to make the switch following his trade on July 28), while longtime Fire goalkeeper Zach Thornton serves as United’s director of goalkeeping. Nyarko, who spent eight seasons in Chicago, has played well in his first season in the nation’s capital, scoring three goals, adding one assist and has been named to the MLS Team of the Week twice. The Ghanaian proved his worth the last time these two teams met in April, connecting on a Luciano Acosta cross and heading home the game-tying goal in miserable conditions at Toyota Park, and most recently won a penalty Wednesday night in Montreal.
The Fire will also be relying on a Ghanaian for offensive firepower, speedy forward David Accam, who is the team leader in goals and shots on goal. Even with Accam up top, Chicago have spent the entirety of the season ranked near the bottom of the league in multiple offensive categories, including goals, shots and shots on goal, forcing general manager Nelson Rodriguez to bolster their offense, trading for Luis Solignac from the Colorado Rapids and acquiring Armenian forward David Arshakyan during the summer transfer window.
Chicago’s season, albeit on a recent upswing, has not gone as planned in Paunovic’s first year in charge. While they did win their first away match against Montreal last weekend, Chicago will need to not only generate chances but capitalize on them (which has been a rarity this season) if they have any shot of defeating the Black-and-Red at home. United, meanwhile, will look to strike early at home, like they’ve done throughout August, and put the match out of reach right from the starting whistle. “There’s no reason why we can’t be a playoff team,” head coach Ben Olsen said. “We’re going to need everyone over the next six days.”
