The Black-and-Red have been placed in Group C for the MLS is Back Tournament with Eastern Conference rivals Montreal Impact, New England Revolution, and Toronto FC. Each team will play three matches in the group stage, with the results counting toward the regular season standings. The top two teams from each group along with the next four highest-ranked teams in the group stage based on points, advance to the knockout stage of the competition.
D.C. United (1-1-2, 5 pts.) face the Montreal Impact (1-2-1, 4 pts.) in their final group stage match of the MLS is Back Tournament on July 21. The Black-and-Red are 7-5-7 during the regular season against Montreal in club history. In 2019 against the Impact, United recorded a 0-0 draw on April 9 and a 5-0 victory on Aug. 31.
In their last match of the MLS is Back Tournament, United secured one point as it finished 1-1 against the New England Revolution on July 17. After a back and forth first half, which ended 0-0, New England opened the scoring in the 51st minute. Adam Buksa got on the end of a deflected shot and headed the ball into the top corner to give the Revolution a 1-0 lead. Following New England’s goal, United began to control possession and created a few dangerous opportunities. Federico HiguaÃn eventually leveled the scoring in the 72nd minute after intercepting a pass from a New England defender and dribbling around the goalkeeper to put the ball in the back of the net.
Montreal were defeated 4-3 by Toronto FC in their last match of the MLS is Back Tournament on July 16. After falling behind in the opening moments of the match, the Impact equalized in the 14th minute through a goal from Romell Quioto. Toronto took the lead in the 27th minute with Ayo Akinola scoring his first of the game. Saphir Taider once again levelled for Montreal after converting from the penalty spot in the 37th minute. The tie was short lived, as Akinola scored a minute later and the match went into halftime at 3-2. In the second half, Akinola recorded his third of the game in the 83rd minute, while the Impact scored a consolation goal in stoppage time to bring the final score to 4-3.
The Black and Red control our destiny in the MLS is Back Tournament.
- Win and Guarantee Advancement. D.C. United are guaranteed advancement to the Round of 16 with a win in our final group stage match versus the Montreal Impact.
- Draw and Rely on a Few Results. If D.C. United pick-up a third consecutive point against Montreal in the final match of the group stage, the Black-and-Red would have a very good chance to advance on 3 points as one of the four best third-place finishers only requiring a few other group match results to go our way, namely the Houston Dynamo failing to beat the LA Galaxy.
The match will be broadcasted on ESPN2 and TUDN with coverage beginning at 10:30 PM ET.
