After an emphatic (perhaps misleading?) 3-1 victory for DC United over New England, their show now heads on the road against the Portland Timbers. The last time these two teams faced off was 5 years ago in 2019, which ended in a 1-0 victory for DC United via an own goal. Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta of course took the field that day it what would be the last year the team made the playoffs. Good omen? Possibly! Let’s talk about just who DC United is facing on Saturday.
Opposing Team Overview
Like DC United, Portland are undergoing a change in management. Although DC United’s is greater certainly with nearly their entire front office and head coaching staff being turned over, Portland is reserved to the manager role at the moment. Phil Neville steps in after getting the ax at Inter Miami before #MessiMania appeared in South Beach. The team was truly dreadful and the hiring was controversial for Portland considering his lack of success and criticism of his management for Inter Miami and the England Women’s National Team. That being said, things have gotten off to a good start after they essentially ran Colorado off the field with a 4-1 victory.
Unlike DC United’s victory this weekend, Portland’s win this appears to be much more beneficiary of the Colorado Rapids playing poorly than Portland imposing their will. They registered 4 goals (1 own goal) from a measly .3 xG according to MLS. That is not something I would expect them to replicate on a regular basis. However, on the flip side, I wouldn’t expect DC United to generate 5 xG on a regular basis either. Portland’s goals came mostly on the counter and like DC United they will look to play narrow with wing backs providing them with width in crossing chances for their attackers. While I expect both teams to line similarly, I think we could see a difference in regard to possession. Portland looked comfortable letting Colorado control the game and then press to hit Colorado on the counter. We saw against New England, DC United look to press to control the chances and the game. It’s early days and based on one game, but it will be something to watch.
Key Players
Eryk Williamson
Known to more long time DC United fans, as the player that got away. New fans to the team might be surprised to learn that Williamson was right in DC United’s backyard, playing for the team’s academy. There were some discussions of a contract, but for whatever reason, DC United didn’t seem too interested. His rights were shipped to Portland for a small amount of allocation money. He signed for Portland and instantly developed into one of the best #8’s (when healthy) in the league. If it weren’t for two ACL tears over the past two seasons, there is no question he would be in Europe somewhere. He is back and opened 2024 campaign with a goal. I think this goal shows off some of what makes him so effective, and why his picture should hang over Kasper’s new office as a mark of shame. In the goal you can see him pressure Colorado to win the ball and get it wide. He then attacks the ball and space in the box to score. Colorado were incredibly slow to react and left a lot of space. They were also pretty effectively passed through by Portland’s midfield. For DC United, this task will inevitably fall to Matti Peltola and the center backs to keep Portland in front of them as much as possible and avoid being caught so badly on the break. This was a particular issue for DC United against New England where they nearly found themselves down from a counter-attack after a misplayed pass from Santos.
Antony
The other stand out from the game last week for Portland was Antony who was signed in the Summer window last year from FC Arouca in Portugal. He certainly struggled, registering just a single goal in 9 appearances. In a way, his numbers very much remind me of Pirani’s. Decent dribbling and putting himself in good positions to score, but overall poor passing and vision to create chances for his attackers. However, he appears to have found new life under Neville. Early days, but both goals last week were excellent efforts. He beat a Colorado player for a header and tucked away a cool finish from outside the 18. Still worth mentioning that he didn’t really create any chances for his attackers. He was the benefit of two nicely placed goals, but he will need to show he can consistently perform to show he can play well in that U-22 initiative slot
What to Watch for DC United
The Jeahze Situation
DC Untied wasn’t entering 2024 with a lot of depth, and that depth is potentially looking like it will get much worse. During the preseason we had heard from Troy that a certain player or players maybe weren’t buying into the vision for 2024. On opening day, we got our answer as to who that might be. Mohaned Jeahze was a noticeable absence from the line-up. Troy stated he had communicated with him and where he stood with the team. Rumors started circling that Jeahze was going to make return to Sweden, however that has since ended after the director of soccer operations denied the rumor. For now Jeahze remains here in DC, and considering the considerable lack of depth options right now at the wing back position they can ill afford to have a high-priced player not in the lineup.
Can they do it against eleven?
DC United took advantage of the fortunate situation last weekend with an early red card and playing up a man for the most of the game. They had a great spell against a full New England to start the game, but New England quickly got back into it before Vironi made an early exit. Still the team looked good through large stretches and grasped the opportunity to generate chances. However, it still remains if they can keep it up for 90 minutes and show this a true step forward for the team. It will tough on the road obviously, but the opportunity does set up well with Portland appearing to want to sit back. DC could have moments to control the game and chances. They just need to execute them.
Who else can score other than Benteke?
Having Benteke score a hat-trick is certainly not a bad thing. For too long, DC United’s big time forwards have had mixed seasons in front of goal. If Benteke can stay consistent and score goals, DC can start to see playoffs as a realistic possibility. However, they will also need others to contribute. Each of their 3 other attackers, Jared Stroud, Ted Ku-Dipietro, and Gabriel Pirani, all had opportunities to nab a goal of their own, but each failed to do so. Gabriel Pirani will absolutely be under pressure to perform to show he can be the #10 going forward. Ted will certainly want to continue to elevate his game from last season and maybe make a run at the US Olympic team. Jared Stroud is fighting to stay in the lineup. He emerged the game on Saturday the better of the three. His calmness on the ball and work rate helped DC keep the pressure and control of the game. He also had the best chance after a wide open corner kick chance saw him put it into the crossbar. Teams will undoubtably key in on Benteke, so secondary scoring will be a must. There are other players as well on the bench waiting for their opportunity as well. Continued struggles could force a change by Lesesne.
Prediction
Early days in the season will make this tough. The West is undoubtably weaker, but I think DC falls 3-1 defeat. Despite a lot of positives, this is still a team that is very much a work in progress, and there are going to be missteps this year. On the road against a much more put together squad will be a tall task for Lesense’s team.