D.C. United are back in action tonight at 7 PM ET as they take on a familiar opponent in the Philadelphia Union. It will serve as the Black-and-Red’s fourth preseason match following a 1-0 win against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Suncoast Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 16.
The match against Philadelphia will be a good test for United as they gain critical exposure to an MLS opponent with the regular season opener against Atlanta United only 11 days away. Tickets for the season opener against the 2018 MLS Cup Champions on Sunday, March 3, can be found here.
Players continue to get critical match experience under their belt as they build up their fitness gradually in preparation for the high-intensity opener at Audi Field. The starters for the Black-and-Red got roughly 70 minutes on the field before a flurry of substitutions in the 1-0 win against Tampa Bay.
Paul Arriola scored the lone goal in the contest on Saturday and was a standout throughout the match. The versatile and energetic midfielder created multiple chances with well-timed runs and got his reward when he poked in a goal from a smart Luciano Acosta cross in the 34th minute.
The Argentine midfielder looked bright and confident on the pitch as he looks to continue the same form from last season where he scored 10 goals and recorded 17 assists.
The Philadelphia Union will pose their own problems for the Black-and-Red in tonight’s fixture with new signing Marco Fabian looking to make an impact on the side. The Mexican international made his club debut and played 45 minutes in the 1-0 loss against Montreal on Feb. 16. Fabian signed for the Union from Eintracht Frankfurt on Feb. 8, 2019. The Union take on Toronto FC in their MLS opener on March 2.
The preseason contest will be staged at the Philadelphia Union’s Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater, Fla., with tickets costing $10 at the door. Refer to the Philadelphia Union’s website to live stream the match.
To reserve your seats for the 2019 Audi Field Home Opener against the reigning MLS Champions, Atlanta United on March 3, click here!
