DC United vs. Philadelphia Union | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

D.C. United vs. Philadelphia Union
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 27
Audi Field — Washington DC
August 29 - 8 pm ET
WATCH: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN (Canada)

It's the definition of a six-pointer in the Eastern Conference as D.C. United will try to inch closer to the playoff line, while the Philadelphia Union will attempt to further solidify their spot above the line when the sides clash Wednesday night at Audi Field.

D.C. United had a three-match winning streak snapped Sunday night, losing 1-0 to the rival New York Red Bulls, while the Union defeated the New England Revolution by the same scoreline at Talen Energy Stadium.

This is the second meeting this year with the Union holding serve at home, 3-2, on April 28. Both teams exchanged goals with Zoltan Stieber putting the visitors in front on seven minutes before Ilsinho leveled in the 37th minute. CJ Sapong gave the Union a 2-1 lead on the hour mark, but Darren Mattocks equalized in the 70th minute. Borek Dockal, though, scored the decisive goal two minutes later.

D.C. United

D.C. United (7-10-6) came to Red Bull Arena full of confidence Sunday night having won their last three games as part of a five-match unbeaten run. But they left Harrison with a second 1-0 loss to their longtime rivals, who clinched the Atlantic Cup.

Kaku broke a tense stalemate in the 56th minute, latching onto a headed clearance outside the box, taking a touch into space before firing low inside the far post. Bottled up for most of a frustrating night, Wayne Rooney had a chance to equalize following a scramble in the box, but his shot from the edge of the six-yard box glanced off the crossbar and into the stands.

“It was still a game where we had a few chances to get something out of it,” Ben Olsen said. “They made the play that mattered but it was back-and-forth. I’m proud of the effort and we’ll get back to it quickly against Philadelphia midweek.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: M - Chris Durkin, M - Paul Arriola
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: D - Taylor Kemp (labrum surgery), D - Nick DeLeon (knee injury), GK - David Ousted (shoulder injury), F - Dane Kelly (ankle injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Bill Hamid — Oniel Fisher, Kofi Opare, Steve Birnbaum, Joseph Mora — Russell Canouse, Junior Moreno — Paul Arriola, Luciano Acosta, Zoltan Stieber — Wayne Rooney

Philadelphia Union

It was a little unorthodox, but Philadelphia (11-11-3) defeated the New England Revolution, 1-0, Saturday night for a third straight victory.

The decisive moment came in the 53rd minute when Cory Burke finished a chance that at first appeared destined to be called back because the offside flag was raised. In fact, everyone halted with the exception of Burke. Andre Blake made sure the result held up with a few spectacular saves.

“We didn’t do a good job with our other players maybe just advancing the ball and connecting passes which kind of forced things and rushed things,” Jim Curtin said. “Little better in the second half I thought. Very good to win 1-0 games at this stage of the year.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None
Injury Report: None

Projected Starting XI
(4-3-3, right to left)
GK: Andre Blake — Keegan Rosenberry, Jack Elliott, Auston Trusty, Raymon Gaddis — Haris Medunjanin, Borek Dockal, Alejandro Bedoya — CJ Sapong, Cory Burke, Fafa Picault

All-Time Series

Overall: D.C. United 8 wins, 27 goals … Philadelphia Union 10 wins, 34 goals … 4 draws
At D.C.: D.C. United 5 wins, 18 goals … Union 2 wins, 17 goals … 4 draws
Last meeting at D.C.: D.C. United 0, Philadelphia Union 4 (May 13, 2017)