D.C. United return to Audi Field on Wednesday night after nearly a month off from MLS action. With a few players still away on international duty and three points on the line in front of a home crowd, the Black-and-Red will go toe-to-toe with Orlando City. Here is everything you need to know about D.C. United’s next opponent.
Recent Matches
With 15 games under their belt, Orlando City are 5-7-3 with 18 points. They sit in the No. 9 spot in Eastern Conference standings, only one point behind No. 7 Toronto FC but five points behind No. 6 New York City FC. They are 2-3-0 in their last five MLS matches, with wins over the Montreal Impact and FC Cincinnati. They have also earned wins over Memphis 901 and the New England Revolution in the U.S. Open Cup.
Players to Watch
Portuguese-international Nani was the big offseason signing for Orlando City, and he currently leads the team with eight goals and four assists. He will be the biggest attacking threat for the Lions, along with Tesho Akindele (five goals, one assist) and Chris Mueller (three goals, three assists).
Orlando City generally relies on their offense to win them games. Starting goalkeeper Brian Rowe only has three shutouts in MLS this year and only one in the last two months.
Head-to-Head
Orlando City and D.C. United faced off three times in 2018, twice in MLS and once in the U.S. Open Cup. Their first match in 2018 was the season opener and the teams played to a 1-1 draw after Orlando City went down to 10 men at the end of the first half. The U.S. Open Cup match in June also played to a 1-1 draw after D.C. United went down to ten men in the second half. The game ultimately went to penalties, where Orlando City won 4-2.
In August, Orlando City played their first match at Audi Field and it was one to remember. The two teams exchanged goals at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second. Then, Cristian Higuita got a red card. The two teams exchanged two more goals and it looked like the game was going to a draw. Then, came the play heard round the world.
D.C. United took a corner kick and Orlando City cleared it. But Wayne Rooney chased the ball down, going back into his own half and beating the Orlando City players. He sent a long ball into the box and Luciano Acosta got a head on it. He completed his hat trick and earned D.C. United the win in stoppage time.
The match between Orlando City and D.C. United will kickoff at 8:00 PM ET.
