Seeing DC United on the schedule is typically not something your every-day MLS fan will mourn over. However, things are a little bit different down here in Atlanta. “Oh, great. We have to play DC United again.” is something you’d be more likely to hear come out of the mouths of the Atlanta United faithful. After dropping the last two results against DC United, the Five Stripes are due for a win against the worst team in the MLS.
The Basics:
- When: August 23rd – 7:30 pm
- Where: RFK Stadium – Washington D.C.
- Watch: Fox Sports South
Atlanta United (10-7-5)
It’s been 17 days since the Five Stripes last laced ’em up, and both the players and the fans are eager to get back to action. The well rested and finally somewhat healthy squad that Atlanta United plays will hopefully be one that DC United has yet to see, as they have yet to face the Five Stripes at full strength. After being benched with a foot contusion, Josef Martinez should finally be ready to go tonight.
Atlanta United heads into RFK Stadium without a dropped result in their last six matches. However, there is a little bit of added pressure on the shoulders of Atlanta United players as they have yet to beat their neighbors from the north this season, losing both of the first two meetings.
The Five Stripes last three matches have been decided in the final five minutes. While it’s been fun to see the team’s resiliency in the closing minutes of the past few matches, I think we are all ready to watch the team take over in the first half.
DC United (6-15-4)
The 2017 season has been a tough one for DC United. With only six wins and fifteen losses, the black-and-red are sitting at the bottom of the table. They have allowed 44 goals (1st) and only scored 20 (3rd) so far this season, and are desperately looking to make the closing end of the season better than the beginning.
That being said, DC United was very active during the summer trade window. After trading away Veteran Center Back Bobby Boswell to the Five Stripes, the team acquired four new players, including U.S. International player Paul Arriola. Arriola brings some much-needed skill and experience to DC United’s attack, and will likely play all 90 minutes during his first meeting with Atlanta United.
https://twitter.com/PaulArriola/status/899021375939067905
With at least two games in hand against all of their Eastern Conference foes, a win would be very helpful in boosting Atlanta back up to the good half of the red line. Three points would put United at fifth on the table with games in hand, and a strong chance of overtaking the New York Red Bulls for fourth place.