D.C. United (6-2-3) look to win their second consecutive match at Audi Field as they face Sporting Kansas City (2-3-4) for the first time this season.
The Black-and-Red are coming off a 3-1 victory against Columbus Crew SC, which saw them snap their three-game winless streak at Audi Field. After a competitive opening 20 minutes, Columbus Crew thought they had taken the lead through a goal from Pedro Santos only for it to be overturned by VAR due to a foul leading up to the goal. In the 27th minute, Luciano Acosta opened the scoring with a tap in off a deflected free kick.
Just before halftime, VAR again intervened as the referee reviewed a play and saw a handball in the box. Wayne Rooney converted from the penalty spot for his sixth goal of the season to give United a 2-0 lead. In the 61st minute, Leonardo Jara made a long run down the right-hand side to set up Paul Arriola with a clever backheel for the third goal of the night. An almost perfect night for the Black-and-Red took a blow as Bill Hamid fumbled a corner kick in the 75th minute to give Columbus a breakthrough though it meant little as United were victorious 3-1 at the final whistle.
Sporting Kansas City are coming off a 3-0 defeat in their previous match against reigning champions Atlanta United. Sporting Kansas City have struggled on the road this season as they are yet to win a match after four attempts. Since their last win on March 30, Kansas City have been knocked out of the Concacaf Champions League and have a record of 0-2-3 in their last five MLS matches.
This match will mark the 56th regular season matchup between Sporting Kansas City and D.C. United in MLS history, but it will be their first matchup at Audi Field. The two original MLS franchises have a long history as they met in the 2004 MLS Championship where D.C. United came out on top in a 3-2 thriller. The last matchup between the two sides was a 1-0 victory for Sporting at Children’s Mercy Park on March 31, 2018. The Black-and-Red have only defeated Kansas City once in their last five meetings, with the only victory coming back in 2016.
Kick-off is set for 7:25 PM ET and will broadcast on FS1 and Fox Deportes.
