United travel to Red Bull Arena for the only time this season Sunday, Sept. 11, at 1:00 PM (ESPN), in what will surely be an emotional match for both sides. The match, being played on the fifteenth anniversary of the 9-11 events, marks United's second trip to the New York metro area in a week after they fell to NYCFC on Thursday, Sept. 1.
For the Black-and-Red, a win not only means ascent back into the sixth and final postseason spot (Orlando City SC jumped into sixth with their win over the Impact),but it also clinches the Atlantic Cup for the first time since 2014. After a resounding 2-0 victory back in May, United battled back to earn a hard-fought 2-2 draw on August 21.
Key for United will be on the wings, where they look to have the advantage after Alex Muyl and Mike Grella are both out due to yellow card accumulation. The Black-and-Red not only have their first-choice wingers available in Lloyd Sam and Patrick Nyarko but have options in Lamar Neagle, Nick DeLeon and Kennedy Igboananike outside. United's strength in depth could prove vital as every match proves to be more and more important in the final stretch of the season.
"This is playoffs for us [already]," Neagle said. "Every single game could mean the end for us or someone else. It’s make or break time."
After Orlando defeated the Montreal Impact in Canada 4-1 Wednesday night, D.C. were bumped below the red line for the first time in several weeks. The task doesn't get any easier this Sunday; Luciano Acosta, who leads the eam in assists with seven, is also suspended. "He’s a big part of our attack," head coach Ben Olsen said. "But we feel comfortable with some of the guys off the bench, and throughout this year when we’ve called on people to step up and figure out ways to help the team, they've done that."
One-time D.C. United midfielder Dax McCarty, meanwhile, has returned to the lineup for Jesse Marsch and will play alongside Brazilian Felipe. On the other side, Felipe's countryman Marcelo will look to protect his Black-and-Red back line against the league's leading scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips, while outside backs Taylor Kemp and Sean Franklin will need to be cautious of Argentine Gonzalo Veron and his blistering pace.
After United's loss to NYCFC broke a six-game unbeaten streak, Olsen and co. are looking to get back on track heading into the final stretch. "If we have a positive response and continue to grow as a group, I don’t see why we shouldn’t be in the playoffs."
