For the first time this season, this Sunday at 6:30pm EDT at RFK Stadium, the Montreal Impact takes on D.C. United (TVA Sports, 98,5fm & TSN Radio 690). Here are 10 things to know on this weekend’s opponent.
Context
It’s been a tricky season in D.C. The team has won only one of its last seven games and currently sits eighth in the Eastern Conference. While the Black-and-Red’s defence has done well, conceding the second-least goals in the East – despite a 3-0 defeat in Philadelphia on June 9 and a 4-1 loss at Toronto last weekend –, its attack hasn’t found its rhythm, failing to score a goal per game on average thus far. But the club has made moves to address this: winger Lloyd Sam and forward Patrick Mullins both joined the club in recent weeks in trades from the red and blue halves of New York respectively. United can at least find some solace in the fact that five of its next six games are at home.
Current form
D-W-D-L-D-L
Head coach
Ben Olsen (69-85-48 all-time as D.C. United head coach) has been head coach at D.C. United since November 29, 2010. First an assistant at United under Curt Onalfo, Olsen replaced him on an interim basis from August 5, 2010, to his full-time appointment at the age of only 33. A promising midfielder during his youth and a finalist to the greatest college soccer honours, Olsen was the 1998 MLS Rookie of the Year after reaching MLS Cup with D.C. United. That season set the tone for a great career topped with two MLS Cups that turned Olsen into one of the most important characters in club history. After failing to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs in his first season as head coach, Olsen then led the team to its first postseason berth in five years, reaching the Conference Final. Olsen experienced the best and worst emotions possible during the 2013 season, as his team finished dead last in the Supporters’ Shield Standings but still lifted the U.S. Open Cup after a 1-0 Final win over Real Salt Lake. Olsen then won the 2014 MLS Coach of the Year award after steering United back to first in the East.
Current top scorer
Álvaro Saborío (4)
Players to watch
1. Lamar Neagle (#13) – This former Impact player found his footing in D.C., where he has put his versatility to good use but mostly made the left flank his.
2. Sean Franklin (#5) – The D.C. right back has played every minute of every game this season. His side is the most productive on attack and the tightest on defence.
3. Luciano Acosta (#11) – A Boca Juniors youth academy product, Acosta is quick, efficient and enterprising.
Team profile
D.C. United wants to be tough to play against. Eighth in the East isn’t exactly a validation of this approach, but the MLS Cup Playoffs remain a possibility, and the team’s habits still prove its intentions. Organized in a low block with Marcelo Sarvas protecting the back four in recent weeks, the Black-and-Red try to get the ball forward quickly, either for a swift transition (as seen early on in the season) or for some hold-up play to spray the ball wide and cross, especially via Lamar Neagle. His aerial skills and those of Álvaro Saborío provide an outlet for an efficient long ball out of the back. United can then call upon its skilled players, with new boy Lloyd Sam a definite threat in 1-v-1 situations and Luciano Acosta a solid crosser and passer of the ball. But the team’s efficiency could still improve. United’s shots-to-shots-on-target radio is the 18th-best in MLS, as is its shots-on-target-to-goals ratio; in that last category, only the Sounders – who score a goal per game and sit ninth in the West – and the Rapids – who, admittedly, are second in the West but have conceded nearly half as many goals as United has – do worse. It thus seems logical that United would try to take shots from close range, and it’s all or nothing: according to Opta, 10 percent of United’s shots come from the six-yard box – the highest ratio in MLS – and 47 percent of its shots come from the 18-yard box – the lowest ratio in MLS. Defensively, D.C. United has conceded its fair share of set-piece goals in the early weeks of the season and in recent weeks, which comes to no surprise as the team commits the most fouls of all Eastern Conference teams. In open play, veteran Sean Franklin’s side holds stronger than Taylor Kemp’s side, and despite its rather conservative approach, United is prone to conceding when the opponent sets up shop in its half. Defending open- or set-play crosses remains a struggle.
Tactical formation
Ben Olsen fielded a 4-4-2 for a long time, but has been experimenting with a 4-1-4-1 of late. Lineup v. Toronto (July 23): Worra; Franklin, Opare, Birnbaum, Kemp; Sarvas; Sam, Jeffrey, Acosta, DeLeon; Saborío.
Against the Impact last season
For their 2015 season opener, the two teams were pitted against each other, on March 7. D.C. United won that home game against the Impact at RFK Stadium by a 1-0 scoreline, and this was a game worth remembering not so much for Jairo Arrieta’s goal than for Justin Mapp dislocating and breaking his elbow – and for Bill Hamid’s reaction after the injury. United then paid a visit to the Impact on August 8 and, again, won 1-0 – on a Chris Rolfe goal 13 minutes in. When the Black-and-Red came to Montreal on September 26, the Bleu-blanc-noir didn’t get fooled again. Two Didier Drogba goals in the first quarter-hour were enough for the Montreal players to run out 2-0 winners.
Injuries, absences and call-ups (as of July 28)
GK Bill Hamid (wrist/hip – day-to-day)
D Chris Korb (ACL)
M Collin Martin (foot)
F Chris Rolfe (concussion)
F Alhaji Kamara (hamstring)
Next games
D.C. United v. Philadelphia Union (MLS, August 6)
D.C. United v. Portland Timbers (MLS, August 13)
D.C. United v. New York Red Bulls (MLS, August 21)
