MLS is back as D.C. United face the defending MLS Cup champions this Sunday at Audi Field in the 2019 season home-opener for the Black-and-Red. D.C. aims to keep the momentum rolling from the success they built during the second half of 2018 with several new signings on their roster, including Chris McCann who was acquired from Atlanta this offseason.
With Wayne Rooney, Luciano Acosta, Paul Arriola and new midfielder Lucas Rodríguez leading the Black-and-Red attack, D.C. looks to defeat an Eastern Conference opponent in The Five Stripes and their newest midfielder Pity Martinez after the departure of midfielder Miguel Almarion, who joined Newcastle United this offseason. Rooney and Acosta rapidly become one the MLS' most dangerous duos last season with a combined 22 goals and 19 assists scored between the two of them. LuchoRoo will look to get the ball rolling early on this season against Atlanta United on Sunday at Audi Field. Rooney, who prepares to start his first full season with the Black-and-Red, racked up one goal and two assists in two appearances vs. Atlanta last year, while ATL’s Josef Martinez, who led MLS in scoring, bagged four goals against D.C. United in 2018.
Rodríguez played with Acosta at Estudiantes de La Plata in 2015, as did fellow new signing Leonardo Jara. Both Rodríguez and Jara missed some time during the preseason but had strong showings when they received minutes in Clearwater this preseason. D.C. also looks to begin fully integrating newcomers Donovan Pines, Akeem Ward, and Antonio Bustamante.
Out of six overall matchups, since The Five Stripes joined MLS in 2017, D.C. United leads Atlanta 4-2 in their all-time head-to-head series, with ATL winning the first two of three total matchups in the 2018 regular season, all of which ended 3-1. D.C.’s victory over The Five Stripes in September of last year spurred a 10-game unbeaten streak that pushed the Black-and-Red into the 2018 MLS playoffs as a fourth seed.
The Five Stripes did their preseason training in California, where they played the L.A. Galaxy, LAFC, Club Tijuana, California State Fullerton, and the Seattle Sounders. Atlanta remained undefeated in those matches, scoring 16 goals and earning three wins. Their preseason wrapped up a little bit early due to their games in CONCACAF Champions League. In their first match against CS Herediano, The Five Stripes fell 3-1. But they came roaring back in their second leg, scoring four goals and punching their ticket to the next round of CONCACAF Champions League.
Atlanta United has lost some key players since their MLS Cup victory, including Miguel Almiron, who now plays for Newcastle United in the English Premier League. But their biggest signing in the offseason was Pity Martinez, an Argentine attacking midfielder/striker. He is sure to add to an attack that appears as fierce as they did last season. In the match against CS Herediano, their four goals included one from Julian Gressel, one from Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, and two from Atlanta United superstar Josef Martinez. Their defense has been less consistent. While Atlanta United earned a clean sheet in their second leg against CS Herediano, they allowed three goals in the first match. They have some new signings for the 2019 season, including center back Florentin Pogba and left back Brek Shea.
#MLSisBack and kick off in Washington, D.C. is set for 6 PM ET. The match will be broadcast nationwide on ESPN. If you would like to purchase a ticket to the 2019 season opener at Audi Field, click here.
