10 things on D.C. United

To celebrate Canada Day, the Impact will become an ambassador and host the team from the US capital city, D.C. United, at Stade Saputo at 7pm (TVA Sports, TSN, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690). Here are 10 things on the Black and Red.
Context
Things are going south for D.C. United, who has played six games in June, including a Round of 16 U.S. Open game on Wednesday – a 2-1 loss at New England Revolution. The Washingtonians show the worst attacking record in the league, having scored only 12 goals in 17 games. Defensively, it’s not all that bad, having conceded 25 goals, but it’s truly in front of goal that United’s woes are to be found, especially with attacking midfielder Rob Vincent and starting striker Patrick Mullins out through injury. Ben Olsen’s team does not create a lot of opportunities for itself, ranking 18th in MLS in this stat, and – even more problematically – only converts 40% of its big scoring chances. This month, Saturday’s opponent has only scored three goals against MLS opposition.
Current form (across all competitions)
L-L-W-L-W-D
Head coach
Ben Olsen (80-96-57 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 win over Real Salt Lake in the final. Olsen then won the 2014 MLS Coach of the Year award after steering United back to first in the East.
Current top scorer
Luciano Acosta (4)
Players to watch

1.Sébastien Le Toux (#11) – The tall 33-year-old Frenchman has a lot of MLS experience and his versatility allows him to exploit space on the wing and in the middle.

2.Lamar Neagle (#13) – The ex-IMFC player, who started on Wednesday, could play again at Stade Saputo. Not bad on the dribble, he also works hard on the defensive side of things.

3.Steve Birnbaum (#15) – A constant threat on set pieces, the centre-back has a habit of popping up unmarked at the back post and to jump higher than anyone.

Team profile

Here is what Impact Media wrote on October 26, 2016: “Organized in a low block with Marcelo Sarvas protecting the back four most of the time, 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, Patrick Nyarko or Lloyd Sam. Neagle’s aerial skills, as well as those of Sébastien Le Toux, provide an outlet for an efficient long ball out of the back. United can then call upon its skilled players, with Sam a definite threat in 1-v-1 situations and Luciano Acosta a solid crosser and passer of the ball. Defensively, D.C. United conceded its fair share of set-piece goals in the early weeks of the season, which came to no surprise as the team seems to enjoy challenging opponents. In open play, veteran Sean Franklin’s side holds stronger than Taylor Kemp’s side, but generally speaking, the team’s defence has improved greatly over the course of the season.”

In 2017 :

*Source for all data is Opta
Tactical formation
Through thick and thin, Ben Olsen has stuck to his 4-2-3-1, D.C. United’s true identity of late. Lineup against New England Revolution (US Open Cup, June 28): Worra; Korb, Franklin, Robinson, Odoi-Atsem; Harkes, Jeffrey; Neagle, Buescher, Le Toux; Ortiz.
Most recent games against the Impact
A tumultuous knockout match in the 2016 MLS Cup playoffs has seen the Bleu-blanc-noir win 4-2. Since then, Montreal has visited RFK Stadium once again in May, winning again 1-0 and earning its only road victory this term.
Injuries, absences and call-ups (as of June 29)
G Bill Hamid (USMNT)
D Bobby Boswell (groin)
D Nick DeLeon (abdomen)
M Rob Vincent (knee)
F Patrick Mullins (knee)
Upcoming games
FC Dallas v D.C. United (MLS, July 4)
Seattle Sounders FC v D.C. United (MLS, July 19)
D.C. United v Houston Dynamo (MLS, July 22)