It has been an intense couple of weeks for D.C. United. The Black-and-Red have played six games in the last three weeks, including three games in the last ten days in a stretch of the season that has included a number of multi-match weeks and difficult opponents. United's next matchup will come against the Montreal Impact, who currently sit a spot above them in the Eastern Conference standings. But first, they will have a two-week break—an invaluable chance to rest their legs and refocus after a particularly physical few weeks.
“There is a task at hand and that’s to first rest a little bit,” Head Coach Ben Olsen said after the match against New York. “This has been a grind for these guys. They put a lot of games in over this stretch and it took a lot out of them.”
“I think for the lads, we’ve had a lot of games recently, so I think the break will do us well,” Wayne Rooney added. “Get in a few days rest, get some good training and we’ll have a full week to prepare for the Montreal game.”
The break in play comes at a particularly important time for United, as the Montreal match could have a major effect on the Eastern Conference standings. Currently, Montreal hold four more points than D.C. United, but they have also played an extra game. When D.C. host the Impact, they have a chance to shift the tide in their favor and increase their chances of slipping in to one of the final playoff spots in the East.
Two week's worth of rest will help the Black-and-Red ensure they enter the massive Montreal game as sharp and ready to go as possible.
“It’s massive," Russell Canouse said of the Impact game. "I think that’s one of the most important games of the season, if not the most important. Montreal is one spot ahead of us. We need to get all three points against them and take advantage of that game.”
“It’s big for us to win that game,” Rooney echoed. “Hopefully we can win the next game and then we’re in an even better position.”
With the stakes as high as they've been all season, United now start preparing for the Impact game on September 29. And after a grueling few weeks of competition, step one of those preparations will be rest and recovery for a Black-and-Red side that has found a way to grind out results throughout the summer and keep their playoff hopes alive.
