D.C. United are in the quarterfinals of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League for the second consecutive year. After the Black-and-Red defeated Panamanian side Árabe Unido on Sept. 15 at RFK Stadium, they became the first MLS side in this year’s competition to earn a spot in February’s quarterfinals. With a perfect 9 points from three games, the group stage could not have gone much better for United, who wrap up Group H play Tuesday night in Jamaica, when they play Montego Bay United FC.
Playing for Pride
The Jamaicans are now into their domestic season after playing their earlier SCCL matches during their preseason. After four games in the Red Stripe Premier League, MBU currently sit 2nd with two wins, a loss and a tie. Coming off a 3-0 victory against UWI in league play on Sunday, Montego Bay will play for pride when they welcome the Black-and-Red. The side has yet to score a goal in this year’s international tournament, and with attacker Allan Ottey suspended due to yellow card accumulation, that task will feel all the more difficult. When the two sides met in RFK, United prevailed 3-0, with goals from Conor Doyle (the fastest United goal since 2012), Jared Jeffrey and Miguel Aguilar.
Different Players Stepping Up
For United, the trip provides more experience for a side that has had 27 different starting lineups in 30 games. Miguel Aguilar has scored in both of his SCCL appearances; his first professional goal in Panama was the game-winner off an assist from Michael Farfan. Five D.C. United players have played every minute of this year’s SCCL campaign: Andrew Dykstra, Luke Mishu, Kofi Opare, Jalen Robinson and Jairo Arrieta.
Be sure to catch all the action when the two sides face off at 8 PM ET from Montego Bay Sports Complex on Fox Soccer Plus, or get updates on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
