D.C. United welcome their rivals from the north, the New York Red Bulls this Wednesday for the second ever fixture at Audi Field. United have been looking forward to recapturing the coveted Atlantic Cup since the end of the 2017 season. The last time a team defended the Cup in back-to-back seasons was 2011-2012.
The Black-and-Red enter tonight’s match against the Red Bulls looking to climb the Eastern Conference standings. New York (12-5-2) are currently third in the Eastern Conference and are 4-1-0 in their last five matches, despite head coach Jesse Marsch departing for Europe mid-season. United are coming off a 3-1 loss to Atlanta United last Saturday, but are 2-0-1 at home after defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the inaugural match at Audi Field. A win tonight over their bitter rivals will go a long way toward turning Audi Field into a fortress for the Black-and-Red as they try to jump back into the playoff race in the wide-open Eastern Conference.
United will look to their dynamic midfield to gain an edge in the match, led by the recent surge of Zoltán Stieber, who enters the match with two goals and four assists in his last six appearances including a goal in Atlanta last weekend. Along with Stieber, Paul Arriola's continued strong presence in central midfield has led to three goals and three assists in his last six appearances. On the opposite flank, Yamil Asad is joint top scorer with eight goals and has featured in every one of United's 16 matches this season.
Luciano Acosta remains one of United's main creative fulcrums in central midfield along with Arriola. Acosta and Arriola lead the team with seven assists each, and have kept the Black-and-Red on the front foot when they posses the ball.
Combined, United's midfield have produced 17 goals, and 23 assists making them one of the most productive midfield units in the league.
They will need the firepower against New York, who have emerged as one of the top offensive teams in league with 39 goals scored. The Red Bulls' attack is centered around an MLS veteran and a rookie in Bradley Wright-Phillips and Alejandro “Kaku” Gamarra. The 33-year-old Wright-Phillips is second in the league in goals with 13 while Kaku leads the league in assists with 12. Perhaps more impressive, the team leads the league in assists with 50, six more than second-ranked Los Angeles FC (44).
Though the Black-and-Red have played only three games at home so far in 2018, and only one at Audi Field, they have so far staunchly defended their home field. In three home matches this season, United has conceded only three goals and will look to turn that defense into a signature in the second half of the season.
