D.C. United returns to Audi Field tonight off a massively successful road trip to face Charlotte FC. The Black-and-Red won both road games to bag six points and claw their way up the Eastern Conference standings into a comfortable 8th place. D.C. also notched a mid-week Open Cup win against the Richmond Kickers, with Yamil Asad converting a penalty kick for the game-winner.
Charlotte FC hasn’t been putting in shabby performances by any means. All three designated players (DPs) for the club – Enzo Copetti, Kamil Jóźwiak, and Karol Świderski – scored mid-week to win their Open Cup match against South Georgia Tormenta FC 4-1. In addition, Charlotte’s DPs have scored in five of their last six games.
Tonight, the Black-and-Red will look to build on their successful road performances at home in front of their supporters. As head coach Wayne Rooney continues to lock in the team’s tactics, we’ll be watching how tonight’s lineup and formation align with the team’s growth.
Freshly resigned to a two-year contract, captain Steve Birnbaum told the media, “I think there’s confidence growing in the group. Obviously, racking up wins helps that, and we’re just playing better as a team and knowing each other’s tendencies.”
Looking to tonight, Birnbaum said, “I think right now we’re really honing in on the things that we’re doing well. I think that our box defending last game, as a group, was phenomenal. It’s got to be the same. I think that Wayne touched on that earlier on in the season that we have to finish our chances on the attacking side in the 18 there, and on the defensive side, we have to be buttoned up. So it’s about winning the game within the eight teams. And I think we’ve done that the last couple of games, and we just have to continue to do that.”
We’ll be watching tonight to see how the Black-and-Red approaches the match as they chase a third regular season win in a row.
Key Player: Christian Benteke
Benteke continues to be the true danger man for D.C. United. His three-touch stunner against Orlando still has us smiling. Benteke’s ability to consistently create opportunities in the box and his positive attitude has made him a league standout.
Watch Out For: Karol Swiderski
Swiderski leads Charlotte FC with 12 goals and eight assists. Last week saw the Polish international win Goal of the Matchday for his game-winner against Columbus Crew.
Challenges: Christian Lattanzio’s men have lost only one of their last six matches. It will be up to the Black-and-Red to ensure they don’t sneak in behind the back line to open up scoring opportunities. Both teams are sharp in wide play, so this will be something to watch as the match progresses.
Previously: In 2022, both D.C. and Charlotte won their home match 3-0. Can the Black-and-Red repeat last season’s win tonight?
Charlotte FC Availability:
Out: Guzman Corujo (right knee surgery), Joseph Mora (left knee)
Questionable: Ashley Westwood (right thigh), Bill Tuiloma (right thigh), Kamil Jóźwiak (right thigh)
D.C. United Availability:
Out: Brendan Hines-Ike (foot), Martin Rodriguez (knee), Nigel Robertha (ankle), Mohanad Jeahze (thigh, suspension)
Questionable: Ruan (thigh)
Location: Audi Field, Washington, DC
Kickoff time: 7:30 pm ET
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
Available streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
I’d like Benteke to break the floodgates for us tonight, show that he can get the opening goal- don’t believe I’ve seen him do that this season, though it’s possible I’ve forgotten. Want him to step into the role of someone who can do more than pile on the pain when we’re doing well. This is not a criticism of the past, he’s grown strongly every game, I just think he should be ready for that role now.
I’m going to need you to manifest this one. A home win is just what the doctor ordered for this team, and we’d love to see Benteke open up the scoring.
He could have taken the penalty, Taxi is probably the wiser choice.
Well…..
I can’t say I’m at all disappointed with that goal 🙂
I don’t think anyone can be
Charlotte maintaining possession early on with DC on the backfoot so far about 5 minutes in.
We don’t like it, Will!
Andy Najar shown an early yellow
Najar needs to be careful he’s already on a yellow.
Oof so far DCU only with 47% passing accuracy and no shots.
The positioning of Charlotte’s wingers high and wide has pinned DCU’s wingbacks, making it really difficult to build out.
Bit of a slopfest from us so far. Charlotte going down super easy taking advantage of a ref that’s been pretty friendly to them in calls.
Yes VAR that’s gotta be a penalty
TAXI!!! He buries the penalty despite the goalie getting a hand to it.
Def a penalty, deserved goal for Taxi.
DC’s had enough calls go against them to earn that pen. 1-0 good guys and Taxi is heating up!
VAR for once does its job, Taxi converts! Time to take Najar off now, and preserve the 11 men, I’ve been nervous about that for a long time
Fountas feeling it, very ambitious shot from outside
Najar’s ability to beat a player on the dribble is invaluable to this team’s attack. He makes it look so easy.
True, but I get the feeling that this ref believes in foul accumulation going toward a second yellow, he’s on very thin ice
I think Benteke is on thin ice in regards to his first yellow. Charlotte getting away with a lot and DCU isn’t. At least that’s how it feels.
Yup there’s the yellow
Yeah, you called it.
No coincidence that DCU’s most threatening moments have come when they’ve gotten Najar forward. Really liked that build-up in the 37th minute. Klich flared wide, attracting Bronico and opening space centrally for Najar. Forced Charlotte’s midfield to collapse inward, which allowed Najar to switch the field to Taxi.
Birnbaum’s hurt…not good
Ref only seems interested in protecting players wearing blue today. Copetti puts another elbow into Birnbaum and Charlotte is awarded with the free kick.
This seems a feature of home games for us. Are they not impressed by the stadium, or something?
Wow Ref blew the whistle during a corner kick….what the hell did we do to this ref?
Really weird stuff. About the only thing he got right was the penalty after VAR told him to look.
What the fucking hell, a whistle cuz it was a short corner? Put this ref in a dunk tank
What does a Charlotte player have to do to get a yellow from this ref?
Pick Taxi, apparently
What an awesome run from Najar too bad we weren’t able to finish the move with at least a shot on target.
Great move, but Taxi puts it wide.
Need more of that. Exactly how he scored the majority of his goals last year… ball wide right, smart movement in the box, cutback, goal.
If he’s between the posts situationally, that’s a goal every time, harder chance than it looked
KDP on for Taxi…interesting move
Think that’s a pure conditioning sub. Bet he’s moving into the red zone
Benteke gets on his bike and puts it in!
BENTEKE YOU BEAUTIFUL MAN! WITH THE BIKE!
God I love having some tall physical players again! But that was just class
To follow up last weeks goal with this? Unreal.
Benteke just barely offside on that.
Jacob Greene with the dagger putting Charlotte to bed.
Greene puts the cherry on top. DC was in control from the 20th minute on.
That was an “everything’s going my way” second half, but well deserved
Had it a bit rough in the first half, but Rooney’s got the defense settled down pretty well, even after losing Birnbaum to a series of cheap shots. Such a dramatic turnaround from last year. Really impressed with Miller’s passing, particularly his long passes. He wasn’t even just hoofing it up to Benteke since he was covered most of the night, he had a couple of beautiful ones out to the sidelines. Pines using his athleticism super well in defense and on set pieces.
Happy with the win, only just a bit worried what happens when our wing backs go down. Santos and Najar have such great technique and really help us beat heavy pressure.
It’s a dramatic turnaround from when we stopped playing the 4-4-2 idea. Well done all around