Fresh off a win in their last game against the Philadelphia Union, D.C. United welcome New York City FC to RFK Stadium on April 8 hoping to continue their winning ways as they look to close out a three game home stand in style.
With a hard fought 2-1 home win over the Union last week, courtesy of José Ortiz’s first MLS goal and a Luciano Acosta penalty kick, United (1-2-1) are now looking to build momentum ahead of a three-match road trip.
“We’re just trying to put back-to-back wins together,” head coach Ben Olsen said. “That’s what playoff teams in this league do; they’re able to put together good streaks, and this is our first chance to get two in a row.”
In their first meeting this season back on March 12, New York City FC won their home opener over United 4-0 thanks in part to a pair of goals from David Villa and a goal and assist from former United player Rodney Wallace.
It was a result that wasn’t taken lightly by the Black-and-Red, and one still fresh in the minds of players as they take the field at RFK on Saturday.“I think we’ll remember [that game], yeah,” Olsen said. “They have some great individuals and they’re playing well, so it will be a tough task, but it’s certainly a team we can still defeat at home.”
Not playing in that game was playmaker Luciano “Lucho” Acosta, who rested an injured ankle stemmed from preseason. The Argentine, who had 3 goals and 11 assists in 2016, faces a fellow countryman on Saturday in NYCFC Designated Player Maxi Moralez, a recent signing from Club Leon in Liga MX, who has a goal and two assists on the year. With both Argentineans pulling the strings of their respective attacks, Saturday’s game should be a match filled with offensive chances for both sides.
Despite being winless in three trips to the Bronx all-time, United have been helped by a home field advantage against NYCFC in the past, winning two of three at RFK since the New York team’s MLS debut back in 2015.
Last year United won their final home game of the regular season 3-1 against NYCFC on October 16 to clinch their third straight postseason berth. Patrick Mullins’ eighth goal in 11 games for United, and first against his old club, was the first of three goals before halftime. Bobby Boswell and Rob Vincent added to the score to help lead D.C. to victory.
This is the last time the Black-and-Red face off against New York City FC in the regular season this year. With both teams looking to climb the table in the Eastern Conference, Saturday’s game is of the utmost importance for both sides early in the season.
Olsen knows that his defense will have to be at their best for this game, especially in dealing with Spanish striker Villa, who has 6 goals and 3 assists in 6 games against United.
“Turnovers against a team that is this good in transition, or one or two situations where you are late or on the wrong side of a player… forget about it,” said Olsen after the last NYCFC game. “You’re going to eat it.”
