DC United kicks off their second round of the fall regular season series at 7:30PM Saturday at home against Toronto FC.
The Black-and-Red come into the match on the heels of a 2-0 loss to to the RedBulls just a week ago. After two clean sheets under deeply a defensive lineup, a more attacking minded squad failed to produce on the offensive half despite lodging 8 shots, a far cry from zero the week prior. In fact, DC dominated in most statistical areas but couldn’t convert good possession and pressure into ticks on the scoresheet.
Meanwhile, Toronto has won 4-out-of-6 games since returning from the MLS is Back tournament against their Canadian rivals. Their most match saw them best the Impact 2-1, with goals from Pablo Piatti and Jozy Altidore. They are certainly the more attacking minded team, with the likes of Ayo Akinola and Alejandro Pozuelo (MLS leader in assists) providing prowess in the offensive half.
The two teams last met under the sweltering sun in the MLS is Back tournament, where on-field tempers grew just as hot. Akinola put DC in the hole for 2 before the half, and a red card for Junior Moreno just before the 1st whistle saw DC go into the 2nd half a man down. DC looked oddly more at ease down to 10, and in the dying throws of the match Higuaín and Brillant brought DC level. The 2-2 draw ended with a lot of emotion as the two teams had some choice words and exchanges for each other after the whistle.
Questions abound coming into this game, and the narrative at leas should make for an interesting match. Do we a see return the more defensive minded lineup after our first defeat in three games? Does Bill Hamid make his return to the starting lineup? Will the last games emotions boil over into Audi Field? Tune in Saturday to find out.
This producer’s opinion? DC 1 – 1 TOR – DC finds the back of the net but so do the visitors.