D.C. United (8-4-6, 30 points) take on Eastern Conference rivals Toronto FC (6-7-4, 22 points) at Audi Field tonight at 8 PM. The Black-and-Red recorded a 0-0 draw with Toronto earlier this season on May 15 and have an overall record of 14-10-7 against the Canadian side.
D.C. United are coming off a 1-0 victory over Orlando City SC on June 26 at Audi Field. Captain Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the game in the 10th minute for the Black-and-Red. The Englishman collected the ball in his own half and chipped Orlando City goalkeeper Brian Rowe from 70 yards out to give D.C. United the lead. The Black-and-Red dominated the first half with Luciano Acosta controlling the game from the midfield with his precise passing ability. In the second half, D.C. United had to deal with some pressure from the Lions, but the defense held strong and recorded their eighth shutout of the season.
In their last match, Toronto FC faced reigning MLS champions Atlanta United on June 26 at BMO Field. Toronto started fast with Tsubasa Endoh opening the scoring in the first minute of the game tapping in a deflected cross to give them the 1-0 lead. Atlanta came back to tie the game in the 17th minute after the referee spotted a handball in the box and Gonzalo Nicolas Martinez converted from the spot to tie the game. Five minutes later, Julian Gressel put Atlanta up 2-1 after finishing a cross from point-blank range. Toronto would equalize shortly after with Alejandro Pozuelo heading in a cross from the left-hand side. After being deadlocked for the entire second half, Toronto were given a penalty in added time which Alejandro Pozuelo converted to give Toronto a 3-2 victory.
Toronto FC have not been able to find their form away from home as they have recorded only two wins on the road this season. Spanish midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo leads the Canadian side with seven goals and eight assists. His eight assists ranks fourth in MLS. Goalkeeper Quentin Westberg has recorded two shutouts and 27 saves. Toronto FC will be without Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore, as they are representing the USMNT at the Gold Cup.
D.C. United are unbeaten in their last five MLS matches at Audi Field and are currently tied for second place in the Eastern Conference. Wayne Rooney leads the Black-and-Red with nine goals and five assists this season and was recently selected to his first MLS All-Star game. Bill Hamid is tied for most shutouts in MLS while leading all goalkeepers in terms of saves with 71. Hamid has recorded seven career clean sheets against Toronto FC. The Black-and-Red will be without Paul Arriola and Júnior Moreno who are away on international duty with the USMNT and Venezuela respectively.
The match will be broadcasted on FloFC at 8 PM ET. Pre-game show with Dave and Devon starts at 7:30 PM ET.
