D.C. United vs. Real Salt Lake: Preview, time, and how to watch
Updated.
D.C. United and Real Salt Lake meet for the first time since September 2022, when they played to a scoreless draw at Rio Tinto Stadium.
The Black-and-Red sit at 8th in the Eastern Conference, while Real Salt Lake is currently in the 11 spot of the Western Conference standings. It will be an interesting meeting as RSL has been putting in quite a strong performance as of late, especially on the road. The visitors come to the District off a draw with NYCFC (0-0) and have won or drawn 12 of their last 14 matches across all competitions. RSL will be lacking some depth as Rubio Rubin, Anderson Julio, Jefferson Savarino, and Braian Ojeda are all on international duty.
As for Rooney’s men, they’ve put in solid performances of their own, winning or drawing five of their last seven regular season matches. for the Black-and-Red, it’s all about finding consistency as the season has crossed the halfway mark and the pressure increases to remain above the playoff line. Their last road trip to Atlanta did not go as planned, with a fiery 5-Stripes offense dealing D.C. a 3-1 loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Wayne Rooney said, “We’re creating some really good chances, and it’s been the story of the season really because we should have a lot more goals. We should, really. I’ve talked to the players about having composure, more composure in the box, and maybe not snatching chances.”
The Black-and-Red will hopefully lean into this composure and patience to take away three points tonight.
Vamos United!
Key Player: Christian Benteke
Leading the league in aerial duels, we’ve got confidence that Benteke will always get the job done for D.C. United. A clinical goalscorer, Benteke’s experience and instinct make him one to watch.
Watch Out For: Zac MacMath
MacMath could be the man for D.C. to beat tonight. He held off NYCFC to a scoreless draw just last weekend. We’ll be interested to see how he and Christian Benteke square off at Audi Field.
Challenges: D.C. United will need to remain consistent and patient to claim points against an RSL team that has been notably strong on the road.
Previously: The last time D.C. United and Real Salt Lake met in 2022 they played to a scoreless draw.
D.C. United Availability:
Out: Martin Rodriguez (knee), Nigel Robertha (ankle), Mohanad Jeahze (ankle), Ted Ku-DiPietro (ankle), Taxi Fountas (international duty), Victor Pálsson (international duty)
Real Salt Lake Availability:
Out: Zack Farnsworth (thigh), Erik Holt (shoulder), Rubio Rubin (international duty), Anderson Julio (international duty), Jefferson Savarino (international duty), Braian Ojeda (international duty)
Questionable: Bryan Oviedo (calf)
Location: Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
Kickoff time: 7:30 pm ET
Referee: Malik Badawi
Available streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Fine preview, Sarah, but you missed your customary reference to Buzzard Point. Got to keep the faith!
Also, I’ve been constantly advising Washington Spirit in their “how’d we do” questionnaire following matches that they need to promote and link to The District Press for its excellent Spirit coverage. Any follow through yet?
You are a gem, David!
Has there been any contact from Washington Spirit management? Or any initiative by DP that Commentariat members can reinforce?
Is Taxi really available? Saw he played 20 minutes or so for Greece like two days ago.
All of my official club lists say he is available, also Calen Carr and David Gass mention in their game preview on Apple TV that DC won’t be losing players to international duty for tonight’s match. Linked below! I scoured every place I could think of because it didn’t seem right to me either. Will he be rested enough? That I can’t say. https://tv.apple.com/room/uts.room.umc.cst.34dq6dhwewl6nj1t522ln5n0u
Anyone know how well Taxi played? I missed it completely as I was basking in the afterglow of El Tri’s wreckage.
It seems like, even with Taxi possibly limited, we have more available players than RSL. They have just signed Chicho Arango who has been playing in Pachuca after leaving LAFC. But he won’t be available til July.
All I want from this game is a repeat of the 6-4 game at RFK a few years back!
It’ll be interesting tonight. OGDC and Rugby ATL academies play at 4:30 then the regular season finale is at 7:00. Sadly there’s no stream or television for the academy game. I’ll be watching both OGDC’s regular season finale and the DCU game at the same time on separate screens.
To me that’s not an obvious goal scoring opportunity but whatever I guess. DC seems to always get these far-from-goal reds.
I think it’s only DOGSO because of how far out Miller is. That being said, Miller most likely was going to get to that ball (from the angle I saw at least) so it’s a pretty daft play by Birnbaum.
Yea I’m not saying red is a terrible call but it was odd to go straight red and also not even look at the monitor. The decisiveness on the call is what surprised me I suppose.
A USL referee. Seriously. USL.
Ugh. Why was Birnbaum so deep on that play? Second week in a row he missed a good chance to step and catch his man offside.
And that’s the goal they give up. Back to back games where Miller looks silly.
I’ve gotta get another look at the goal. It’s gonna keep happening no matter who’s in goal if that’s what Rooney is telling them to do. It’s a huge risk already, and even more when you’re down a man.
Agreed up to a point. I’d say its a risk, but not hugely risky. Your trading the some 40 more succesful defensive actions from Miller (80 vs 40 for next closest keeper in MLS, according to the broadcast tonight) against a higher likelihood of these types of goals.
We are more than halfway through the season and DC have only gotten beat once from that kind of position. Miller is not the best keeper in terms of reaction saves. Thus from my position it is really hard to say the risk hasn’t paid off at least a little.
That kind of goal is bound to happen given the tactics/style of play asked from Miller. Even against a sweeper-keeper holding a high line that’s a 1/100 type chance. IMO, Miller is more deserving of criticism for the goal last week, where he got caught cheating to the far post, than the goal tonight. Big picture, this team has to find a way to turn Audi into a bit more of a fortress. Too many dropped points at home.
For me it’s the situation. You give up that goal every other game and it hurts but at least DC isn’t down a man. Giving up that goal down a man just sucks the energy out of everyone. Maybe I shouldn’t be as hard on Miller but maybe sit back a few more yards given the circumstances.
I get that, sensible given the red card to change up those tactics. Maybe important to clarify here one thing – that is not Miller though. If that kind of tactical change is warrented/needed than that has to be conveyed by the coaching staff to the players. Clearly wasn’t.
Make no mistake. Miller was directed to play as such.
DC has a mountain to climb in the second half. A lot of the schedule is turning into “must wins” for this team if they want to make the playoffs and this doesn’t help. Not to mention almost every team above and below them has at least one, if not two, games in hand on them.
It’s boggling to me that we’re playing this weekend when so many teams are off and we’ve played more than them already. Nobody should have to play this week because of the international games. There were plenty of weeks earlier in the season that could have had mid-week games to avoid having to play during an international break.
I was hoping we could capitalize on RSL’s missing talent. Still hoping!
Hard enough for DC to comeback without the ref calling these tiny non-fouls. RSL is displaying a master class in diving. Hilarious given the circumstances.
Somehow a yellow to Durkin on that play. This ref has decided that up a man and a goal isn’t enough for RSL
Again, USL ref. MLS should do better.
If it wasn’t already, this one is likely over now. Sloppy turnover leads to an easy goal.
DC gives up a goal on a poor giveaway then immediately scores to make things interesting. 2-1.
I honestly don’t mind if it turns in to a bit of track meet. Seems that would be the last thing RSL would want tough. Would be fun to watch.
Rooney’s tactics seem to reflect that. DC has a real devil may care attitude this half.
This game just doesn’t have a cogent bone in its body.
Really glad I was focusing more on OGDC beating Rugby ATL for the first time in 4 attempts. They close out the regular season with a franchise best 7th win 36-28 over ATL.
Hey remember Moses Nyeman?
Dajome has had a couple moments, but overall I’m not sold on him at all. His pressing decisions don’t match the rest of the team and his on the ball work is nothing to write home about.
Based on every call this ref has made today that is 100% a penalty. He’s called those softer fouls all damn day.
If that is not a penalty then there should have been no red card for Birnbaum. Better go to VAR.
The red has called lighter contact than that at least three times tonight. Has to be a penalty.
Yeah but Birnbaum is also last man, so its a DOGSO red.
Sorry. Typo. Was meant to say ref instead of red. I fully agree Birnbaums should have been a red but Fletcher should have gotten a pk there.
100%
Good thing Fletcher didn’t bring his wallet on the field. For crying out loud…
This ref is a complete clown.
USL ref. Look it up. MLS should do better.
Ruan has to let that go with his left.
Watching at home. I had trouble keeping my brain open for that. What a weird game.
Here’s a crazy take: if the ref gives a yellow for times wasting shouldn’t there be more added time than what was given?? Again, this ref was an idiot. DC showed character today. They had more chances than they should’ve in this one.
All that being said, DC needs to pick up wins starting against Cincy next week. Everything today aside, O’Brien hasn’t been himself lately. He’s had some poor giveaways recently including the one that led to RSL’s second goal. DC has started to play too directly and teams are taking advantage of that direct play by throwing wingers behind the high wingbacks.
This team is past the point where they’ve put in a good effort but things didn’t go their way. They need to be more clinical.
I think the uncertainty coming with his loan being up in a month maybe starting to get to him. His place at Forest is still uncertain.
Yes — time should be added in those situations, but the whole thing was a joke. 7 minutes of added time? McMath’s so-called injury ate up more than 5 minutes. Miller was down for almost 3 minutes. There were how many sub windows? All 6? Plus 2 goals. Anything less than 10 minutes was absurd.
I think this is one, as the captain, Birnbaum is gonna have to own. Really need a more composed decision in that moment. Yes he got beat, but can’t foul in that position. Overall, been a pretty good first half of the season for Birnbaum. Especially, bouncing back after how rough everything was defensively last year.
On the refereeing, that didn’t decide this game, but there has to be more consistency at this level. For the tug on Fletcher not to even get a look on VAR was borderline absurd.