It will be a battle of talented wingers when D.C. United take on Sporting Kansas City in RFK Stadium’s final home opener on Saturday, March 4. United midfielders Patrick Nyarko and Lloyd Sam love to feed the attack through the wing, while new acquisitions Latif Blessing and Gerso Fernandes will look to immediately invigorate Kansas City’s offense.
United’s wingers flourished after last season’s All-Star break, improving possession and catalyzing D.C.’s explosive offense, which found the back of the net 14 times in United’s final five regular season matches. Nyarko and Sam provide the foundation to the D.C. midfield that will look to continue their offensive efficiency from the end of last season.
While both Nyarko and Sam have a knack for scoring (Nyarko netted four goals for the Black-and-Red in 2016 while Sam scored three times in 13 games), the wingers are most impressive in their ability to create opportunity. Nyarko finished his 2016 campaign with eight assists—second-most on the team. The midfielder also earned two MLS Team of the Week nominations for his dominant play against the New England Revolution and the New York Red Bulls.
D.C.’s midfield was further strengthened with the addition of Lloyd Sam in July of last year. Sam immediately revitalized the Black-and-Red’s offense, dishing six assists in 13 games and ending his first season with United as the team leader in chances created (52) and crosses (143).
Lamar Neagle, José Guillermo Ortiz, and Sébastien Le Toux provide the Black-and-Red additional prowess in the midfield and important depth; all three can play numerous positions. Neagle is a former-Golden Boot winner, while versatile Ortiz's movement, both on and off the ball, will cause defenders headaches. Veteran acquisition Le Toux provides invaluable veteran experience and is the only active MLS player with 50 career goals and assists. United will need to establish control of the midfield early on Saturday in order to prevent the influence of Kansas City’s new talented wingers, Latif Blessing and Gerso Fernandes, on the Kansas City attack.
Blessing, a recent acquirement from the Ghana Premier League, brings explosive potential to Kansas City’s offense. The 20-year-old forward was named the Ghana Premier League Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Ghanaian FA Cup MVP award after leading the league with 17 goals in 2016. Blessing will provide a spark to Kansas City and bolster their potential to run a dangerous attack through the wing.
Designated Player Gerso Fernandes will also debut for Kansas City on Saturday, supporting Blessing and the rest of the Kansas City attack from the left wing. Fernandes, who appeared in more than 150 matches for Belenenses, joins Major League Soccer following an impressive six-year career in Portugal’s top division. The left-footed forward is an established and dangerous opportunity-creator as well as a threat in front of goal.
Both D.C. United and Sporting Kansas City are itching to open the 2017 season with three valuable points. While United will look to continue their offensive success from the end of last season, Saturday’s final scoreline could very well come down to to the play of each side’s wingers.
