D.C. United without Wayne Rooney
The Impact has an excellent opportunity to avenge the loss suffered last fall at Audi Field. Their last trip to the District of Columbia didn’t go exactly as planned, and the 5-0 defeat still lingers in the minds of Montreal’s players. That motivation, coupled with the team’s solid performance at Yankee Stadium last Saturday and Wayne Rooney’s suspension, sent off Saturday during his team’s thrashing at the hands of LAFC, sets the table for a game that should be very interesting, tonight at 8pm (TVA Sports, TSN 690).
On the visitors end, we’ll be without centre-forward Maxi Urruti, also unavailable due to suspension. And if Nacho Piatti’s absence will make itself felt offensively, there’s certainly something to be gained in the American capital, against a team that struggles with opposing pressure and who will be without its spark plug. Here are three keys to bringing three points back from Washington.
- Focus and marking on set pieces
Even if its set piece taker of choice, Wayne Rooney, is suspended, D.C. United has scored five of its nine goals from corner, free kicks and penalties. Corners are therefore dangerous opportunities for Ben Olsen’s men, especially for Steve Birnbaum at the far post. Staying organized defensively in these moments can decide the game for Montreal.
- Press and cross
After three consecutive clean sheets to kick off the season, things have gotten a little loose for D.C. United defensively. Giveaways in defense or in midfield are numerous and costly, and the backline’s left side has a knack for allowing dangerous crosses through. If Montreal’s pressure is on point, it should it should be able to create scoring opportunities.
- Opportunism
It’s the key to playing on the road: opportunities aren’t abundant, but they exist all the same, as we saw at Yankee Stadium. Saphir Taïder and Zakaria Diallo were both inches away from putting their team in the lead, but a lack of opportunism meant the Impact collected just a point. Scoring chances must be put away.
