D.C. United (4-10-6, 18 pts.) return home to Audi Field to face Columbus Crew SC in their 21st match of the 2020 MLS Regular Season on Wednesday, October 28 at 8 p.m. EST. After earning seven points from their last three matches, the Black-and-Red will look to continue their push towards a playoff spot and pick up an important three points at home. With three matches left in the season, United are sitting on 18 points, three points behind the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference
In their last match, D.C. United won 2-1 on the road against Atlanta United FC in an exciting, back-and-forth match, with all three goals being scored late in the second half. The match was highlighted by second half substitutes, Kevin Paredes and Gelmin Rivas, who connected on the match-winning goal in the second minute of stoppage time.
The first half of this match featured goal-scoring chances for both sides, but neither team were able to find the breakthrough. The first chance came when Julian Gressel threaded a pass into Erik Sorga’s path as he made a run into the box, but his near-post effort was saved by Brad Guzan. On the other end, Bill Hamid made three critical saves to keep Atlanta scoreless, including his best save right before halftime where he punched away a strong effort from outside the box.
The scoreless draw was finally broken in the 77th minute when Julian Gressel found Russell Canouse on a free kick from about 30 yards out. Canouse did well to hold off his man and head home his second goal of the season at the back post. United’s lead was short-lived with Atlanta equalizing in the 89th minute from a Jon Gallagher header.
The match was headed for a draw until the 92nd minute when second-half substitutes, Gelmin Rivas and Kevin Paredes, linked up for the last-minute winner. Homegrown midfielder, Kevin Paredes, beat an Atlanta defender in the box and drove toward the touch line where he cut the ball back to Rivas near the six yard box. Rivas took one touch onto his left foot and then fired into the roof of the net. The goal was Rivas’ first for the club and was also Paredes’ first career MLS assist.
In Columbus Crew SC’s last match, they drew 1-1 with the Houston Dynamo. They have accumulated 35 points on the season and are currently sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference. Out of the 35 points they’ve earned, only 11 of them have come from road matches with a record of 2-3-5 away from Columbus as opposed to their home record of 8-1-0. United will look to take advantage of the Crew’s struggles on the road this Wednesday and extend their first winning streak of the season.
D.C. United against Columbus Crew SC on Wednesday night at 8 p.m. EST will be broadcast on WJLA 24/7 News and streamed on www.dcunited.com.
Prior to kick-off, catch up with Dave Johnson, Devon McTavish, and Claudia Pagán as they preview the upcoming match on the Audi pre-game show at 7:30 p.m. EST on www.dcunited.com.
