D.C United has not lost since René Weiler took control of the team going 1-0-2 against two playoff teams and a fellow wooden spoon competitor. Tonight another team sitting in a playoff position in the East, Orlando. Historically, D.C. United is 9-9-2 against Orlando in MLS play. Can United keep its good form going and send fans home on United Night Out?
D.C. United’s Starting Lineup
Orlando’s Starting Lineup
D.C. United Player to Watch: Gabriel Pirani
Pirani has been on a heater of late and has provided goal scoring from a source other than Christian Benteke. Pirani continuing his form may alleviate some pressure off of Benteke.
Location: Audi Field
Kickoff time: 7:30 EDT
Referee: Chris Penso
Available TV: Apple TV (Streaming) and 1190 iHeart Sports DC (Radio)
I put my earlier comments on the Friday freedom kicks. Hopkins goal is under Video review for offside on Antley.
Goal confirmed.
Barraza has kept DCU in this game. I’ve been really pleased with how the team has responded to Weiler this far. I’m hoping its more a reflection of their true capability rather than just the new coach bump.
Is it me or is Audi a little more energized than normal for a DCU game?
Definitely seems more energized at least since the goal.
That goal has changed the game. DCU isn’t sitting back as much and is possessing thr ball more….and then Bartlett picks up a yellow.
2 mins of 1st half stoppage.
And DCU goes into the half up 1-0.
I’m splitting my attention between DC and an absolute wild nascar race tonight, but glad to see Hopkins really coming into his own under Weiler. Dude has been amazing over the last 4-5 games
I’ve been really happy with his showings of late.
Freeman ties it putting back a rebound.
MacNaughton might be lucky to not get a red there
Ref goes to VAR….and….the yellow becomes a red…the route is on now probably…
Way to jinx it.
Looking at a potential got a red card on McNaughton for the high boot that looked to catch Freeman on the head. McNaughton gets just a yellow.
Peltola has slid back into the CB slot vacated bt McNaughton’s red.
Pirani comes off and Rowles is on. Have to make that change.
Atuesta goes into the book.
Barraza keeps us in this match against. For DCU, Man of the Match has to go to Barraza.
For me he is one of the guys who has upped his performances under Weiler.
That red card has taken the air out of Buzzard Point.
Regardless of how this game ends, this team looks much better under Weiler. Props to the FO for finding him and convincing him to come here.
Yeah. I feel like a few weeks ago they would have collapsed after the red.
We would have collapsed before the red card
Maguire have 2 handballs rules out an Orlando goal
Phew… that handball saved DCU there.
Orlando’s 2nd is called for handball. McGuire’s handball was in a natural position, but it went off his arm directly into his path and he then shot it into the net. So under the new handball rules its a handball and no goal.
Line change time as Hopkins, Schnegg, and Servania come off for Enow, Zouhir, and Stroud.
Dang there’s a 5-3 shootout in Atlanta tonight with Columbus in the lead.
8 mins of stoppage.
Peltola picks up a yellow for time wasting while waiting for DCU players to get forward. He’s now suspended for the next game for yellow card accumulation.
Peltola with a yellow for time wasting. Soft IMHO. He’ miss the next game.
Penzo is more sensitive to DCU wasting any time because we are down a man.
That’s better than my theory, which was Orlando is close to Miami.
Not that you were wrong.
How is that a foul on Stroud?
10 man DC United steals 2 points with a 1-1 draw.
If we can’t be in the playoffs, at least we’re ruining everyone else’s days as well
I didn’t see the game, but I’m floored that we haven’t lost under Weiler.
Weiler on coaching in MLS with a subpar team:
Agreed and well played with the reference.
MOTM for me: Barraza.
Columbus leap frogged Orlando due to this result. Three of DCU’s final four are against playoff teams. Two of the three teams are the Eastern Conference’s tight grouping. DCU has a chance to impact playoff seating. They’re not world beaters right now but in this form Miami and Charlotte need to take DCU seriously.
My wife has gradually started to become a Charlotte fan this year, so we had that game on tonight as well. Barazza would absolutely deserve to be goalie in the team of the match day this week, but probably won’t get it because Kahlina also had a ridiculous game including making a save on a Messi penalty
Servania mentioned in his pregame presser how Weiler has asked them to communicate more and to take more risks. It’s unfortunate that we’re so late in the season because it’s obvious how much that’s changed the team. Guys are telling each other when something wasn’t done right, rather than just yelling and being frustrated. They’re obviously a long ways from being a strong team – still too much fear in passing from the back, still too many miscues, still a talent gap. There does seem to be a solid foundation being set though.
Philly got routed by Vancouver its 7-0 in 2nd half stoppage time.
Was just about to come here to post this. Now DC doesn’t have the worst defeat of the season anymore!
With this result and others across the league tonight, DCU could impact the Supporters Shield race as well, if the team maintains current form. San Diego, Cincy, and Minnesota are all within 3 points or less. Charlotte is within 4 points.
Regardless of result, these fixtures should also give Weiler a lot of good data for roster decisions.
Notwithstanding the improvements in form and results under Weiler, we’re still very much in the running for the Wooden Spoon and the first pick. LA Galaxy have 2 good chances at 3 points, with home matches against SKC and FC Dallas. St. Louis has one good shot at 3 points, at home against RSL.
Hard to see any 3-pointers ahead for DCU — maybe on the road at Atlanta on Decision Day? I’d be happy with a run of 4 more draws, keeping Weiler perfect, but opening up chances for the #1 or #2 pick. Beyond that, the draft will probably be useless.
The real trick is whether there’s a chance for Montreal to pass DCU. No obvious wins out there for Montreal, but maybe we get lucky. They do host NYRB next week. Maybe they pull off a minor upset.
If we lose one — and games against Charlotte, Miami and Philly are looming — then it really opens up possibilities for Montreal and LA Galaxy to pull even. In tiebreakers, the 3 other teams are going to pull ahead of DCU in the standings.