With the tenth MLS match of the year (NYCFC, 7:30 PM on FS1) looming, the Black-and-Red are scoring goals from not only across the field, but throughout the lineup. Four different United players have scored at least two goals so far this season: Álvaro Saborío, Fabián Espíndola, Lamar Neagle and Patrick Nyarko.
Forwards Saborío and Espíndola lead the team with three goals apiece. Each scored twice in United’s 4-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on April 9: Espíndola finished two close-range efforts in the game’s first 54 minutes before Saborío added a late brace off a pair of terrific Luciano Acosta assists after subbing on in the 79th minute.
Espíndola had previously scored in the team’s home opener on March 20, a chilly 1-1 draw versus Colorado. Saborío added his third of the season in a 3-0 thrashing of New England on Apr. 23, in an effort that was initially disallowed by the referee but subsequently ruled as a goal. All six of the Costa Rican and Argentine’s combined goals have come at home.
Perhaps the road warriors of the club have been Neagle and Nyarko, who are both playing in their first seasons with D.C. United. Neagle netted the side's first goal of the year (an his first for United) on March 6 at Los Angeles and struck again on a calm and collected penalty kick in the win over New England in April.
Nyarko has twice been the provider of important away goals this season. The former Virginia Tech standout, who played eight seasons in Chicago before his move to D.C., headed a beautiful ball from Acosta into the upper right corner last weekend to tie the game at 1-1 against his former team. The Ghanaian had earlier scored a header off a Neagle cross against San Jose on Apr. 2 that was nominated for MLS Goal of the Week.
New York City FC will have their work cut out for them on Sunday night; eight of United's 11 goals have come at RFK Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:30 PM.
