Following their Open victory to Christos F.C. on June 13, United now travel to Canada to take on Eastern Conference-leading Toronto FC at BMO Field at 8 PM ET on June 17.
FT: United advance to the 5th round of @opencup
— D.C. United (@dcunited) June 14, 2017
Congrats to @ChristosFC on a great run. Cheers #DCU | #DCvCFCpic.twitter.com/QkVBgpObmO
The Black-and-Red land in Toronto following that midweek Open Cup matchup, while Toronto have enjoyed a two week break, having not played since June 3 against New England (a 3-0 defeat). Ben Olsen’s side will look to continue upon their recent success in The Six; their most recent road matchup resulted in a 2-1 victory last October behind two goals from Lamar Neagle.
But a positive result will not be easy for the Black-and-Red even with Toronto’s most recent lopsided loss; Greg Vanney’s side lead the East with 29 points from 15 matches and possess the best goal differential in all of Major League Soccer (+11). Even without leading man Sebastian Giovinco, who has missed four of their last six, completely healthy, Toronto have gone 7-1-1 in their last nine MLS matches.
D.C., while they have yet to find the perfect recipe this season, have been creating chances and playing solid defense of late. After shutouts in two of their last three matches, the Black-and-Red seem to have found a successful plan in the back in addition to more fluidity farther up the field (19 shots against Los Angeles).
“I’m encouraged with the last two games,” Olsen said after the 0-0 draw against LA. “[Especially] how we’re building up and creating chances. I think if we can continue to do that, we’ll start getting the wins that we need to compete for a playoff spot.”
And in order to continue creating chances, United will look to both central midfielder Luciano Acosta and wide midfielder Lloyd Sam. The two midfielders have combined for 40 chances created, while Acosta is fourth in MLS in successful dribbles with 32. Between Acosta’s ability to cut open a defense (see his assist to Sébastien Le Toux in Atlanta) and Sam’s pinpoint crossing ability, United will look to attack Toronto’s suspect back line, as evidenced by that defeat to New England.
Kickoff is slated for a (rescheduled) 8 PM ET on NewsChannel 8 and CW Richmond.
