On Saturday, D.C. United will play their final match of the 2019 preseason and their final match in the Rowdies Suncoast Invitational against the Montreal Impact. This game will give coaches the final chance to assess how their players face an opposing MLS team before finalizing their roster and taking the field against Atlanta United in the Black-and-Red’s season opener.
The match will be the third for D.C. United in this Suncoast Invitational. They beat the Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-0 in their opener and dropped their second match against the Philadelphia Union 2-1. Paul Arriola scored in the opener, while Wayne Rooney scored the lone goal against the Union.
The Montreal Impact were an important opponent for the Black-and-Red last season. They were close in the Eastern Conference rankings and were part of a playoff race that went down to the last day of the season. Ultimately, D.C. United snagged the No. 4 spot, while the Montreal Impact fell below the playoff line.
Wednesday’s match featured many of the regular starters in the first half. Luciano Acosta assisted Wayne Rooney’s goal with a beautiful pass that slipped past the defense. Bill Hamid made some incredible saves and Steve Birnbaum was a star in the central defense.
In the second half, the Black-and-Red replaced their starters with unnamed trialists. D.C. United dropped two goals in that half and spent most of their time defending the Union’s attack. The Union were not as quick to pull their starters.
D.C. United’s final match of the preseason comes eight days before they kick off the season against Atlanta United at Audi Field. Tickets for the 2019 season opener can be purchased here.
