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DC United vs Philadelphia Union: Preview and How To Watch

By Eric Harris

Apr 15, 2017; Harrison, NJ, USA; D.C. United midfielder Luciano Acosta (10) controls the ball against New York Red Bulls midfielder Tyler Adams (4) during the first half at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Harrison, NJ, USA; D.C. United midfielder Luciano Acosta (10) controls the ball against New York Red Bulls midfielder Tyler Adams (4) during the first half at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Two Eastern Conference Teams Badly In Need Of Points Faceoff In the Nation’s Capitol

Philadelphia is coming off their first win of the season. DC United is currently following one of their worst losses in a season filled with ups and downs.

If you want to get really positive about Philadelphia, they’re unbeaten in their last three. That doesn’t change the fact they’re in dead last of the east. Despite the upward trajectory, it’s going to take more wins to get out of the cellar, that starts with the rivalry match against DC.

For United, it’s all a matter of which team shows up. Will it be the team that controlled Atlanta for a 3-1 win? Or the lifeless team that lost 1-0 to Montreal? This match should be one of the most unpredictable in a league full of twists, so naturally we’re going to try and predict it now.

DC United

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  • Record: 3-4-2, 11 points (8th in the Eastern Conference)
  • Last Week: 0-1 Loss vs Montreal Impact
  • Player to Watch: Luciano Acosta. When he is on, DC United is rolling. The problem is, he’s not always on. DC’s last three wins have included a goal from Acosta. Their last three losses had no production from him.
  • Why They Win: Acosta gets a goal. It seems over simplified but that’s the way it’s gone for DC this year.
  • Why They Won’t: They come out looking lifeless like they have in their previous losses and let Philly’s midfield run the show. If that happens it’s game over.
  • Projected Starting XI:

Philadelphia Union

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  • Record: 1-4-4, 7 pts (11th in Eastern Conference)
  • Last Week: 3-0 Win vs New York Red Bulls
  • Player to Watch: Alejandro Bedoya. He’s logged 810 minutes so far this year. In that time, you the reader, have the same number of goals and assists that he does. That’s not the end all be all though, he’s moved into a more defensive role and has been more effective, but that’s still not what Philadelphia is paying him for.
  • Why They Win: Not only does Bedoya get more involved, but so does Roland Alberg, and Haris Medunjanin. They control the game from the middle and CJ Sapong will be able keep up his fiery goal scoring pace.
  • Why They Won’t: They revert to playing like they did at the beginning of the year and the defense gets caught napping a couple of times.
  • Projected Starting XI:

Projection

How To Watch

Where: RFK Stadium – Washington, D.C.

When: Saturday, May 13 – 7 p.m. ET

How To Watch: MLS Live

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