Well last week stunk. So let’s watch DC United bounce back without their starting right back, left back, defensive midfielder, and two substitute options. Oh boy, this could get rough.
Opposing Team Overview
Remember what life looked like under Hernan Losada for a year? Well this is basically what St. Louis play. They aren’t concerned with possession or control. The more their opponent has the ball, the better as it gives them opportunities to counter press and turn those into fast breaks and quick smash and grab goals. In their game against Los Angeles, they effectively took advantage of some sloppy passing in the back to gain the tying goal. The flip side will be on the defensive side of the ball. Like DC under Lesense they really struggle in transition. When their defensive players and wide fullbacks got too high last weekend, the Galaxy hit them fast and hard, and St. Louis struggled immensely to effectively cover. If it weren’t for two incredible saves from Roman Buiki, LA could have wrong away with this game quickly. DC should absolutely look to get running downhill and quickly against St. Louis. It would be a lot easier if both starting wingbacks were here, but they will have to figure out a way to make due.
Starting for them in center midfield is a familiar face in Chris Durkin who has essentially grabbed the starting job in that spot. His role is purely as a defensive midfielder, which is a deviation from his hybrid roaming role under Wayne Rooney. He appears a bit more reserved and focuses on providing effective defensive cover. I won’t say that his game has really evolved since his time in DC. He is basically the same player he was at DC, but at least this year he has a clearly defined role. Los Angeles basically had to go around him to get anything going in the attack.
This not a team that wows you skill wise. They are one of the few teams without a third designated player. Joao Kluass and Eduard Lowen remain their only two designated players and Lowen was out this week and remains questionable for the game against DC. If he is there, things will be much more difficult for DC. Last season he registered 6 goals and 9 assists for St. Louis. Fbref has him in the 99 percentile for shot creating actions and 86th in expected assists. Against Los Angeles, St. Louis struggled to create significant chances that didn’t come from quick turnover or on a set pieces. Klauss did play and shows off some impressive hold up play. He drifted into the midfield during several moments to try to start attacks. He almost had to as the lack of a true attacking midfielder to help create chances for him on the other end of the field. He generated a few decent chances and forced an impressive save out of McCarthy. However, it is clear without some sort of chance creator his play will suffer because of it.
The other star of the show is goalkeeper Roman Burki. He was in the running for MVP last year and powered St. Louis to the top of the West last year. The expectation is regression for St. Louis, and LA showed he is certainly not unstoppable. However, he remains an elite shot stopper, and considering DC’s relative struggles capitalizing on chances it could be a concern.
What to Watch for DC United
Wanted: Wingbacks
I can’t imagine Troy Lesesne was happy with Pedro Santos’ red card. The game was effectively lost, but it makes this week extra difficult. Aaron Herrera will be gone on international duty with Guatemala, so that leaves DC United without two of their starting wingbacks. Behind them is Connor Antley, who can play on both the left and right, but not at the same time. Lesesne could opt to play Christopher McVey out left where he has played before, but that would leave a gap in center back as Matai Akinboni is out with the US-19 team, and Garrison Tubbs has been in and out with injury. Also, playing McVey damages much about what makes DC United’s style effective. I think the option here is to play Christian Dajome. He brings his abilities out wide, and allows DC United to play their game. Yes, this will have drawbacks defensively, but I think it is the best of a bad set of options. Or we could also see Mohanad Jeahze make his return to the roster, but I think that ship has long sailed.
Who takes Peltola’s spot?
The obvious answer here would be Russell Canouse. However, Troy confirmed he is out for this weekend, leaving a giant hole in center defensive midfield. I genuinely have no idea how Troy solves this issue in the current lineup configuration, and there isn’t an obvious player to place in this role presently on the roster. Maybe we see Jackson Hopkins slot in centrally. He had a decent spell centrally for DC, and I think that could be a role for him in the future.
The Return of Ku
Ted Ku-Dipietro has had a rough start to the year. Largely absent in the team’s 3-1 victory over the Revolution, and it wasn’t really until the second half against Portland that he showed the skills that made him such a revelation last season. Then he picked up a knock in training, and has been absent the last two games. Troy has hinted he could return this week, and it would be a welcome sight back for DC.
Prediction
This would be a tough ask on the road at full strength. Considering the absences and everything else, I think it will be a rough evening for DC United. I am going with a 3-1 loss for DC