DC United will play the Montreal Impact in MLS play for the first time ever tonight when the Impact visit RFK Stadium. DC United, coming off their win against New England on Saturday, will be looking at another chance to earn back-to-back wins for the first time since 2009 (it pains me every time I write that…). Both clubs are in the Eastern Conference this year which means there will be a rematch later down the line in Canada. This is probably the best chance all year for DC United to grab a win. Montreal is 0-5 on the road this season, and is experiencing the typical expansion year of trying to get everyone together and learning.
A promising factor for DC United has been Chris Pontius. At the beginning of the season, he wasn’t completely ready to be back but has since recovered. His improvement has been noticeable, especially that goal last week which won DC the game. As his progression continues, look for the United attack to get even better. The current starting wingers, Nick DeLeon and Danny Cruz, haven’t made it easy for Pontius and Andy Najar to get back in the starting XI which is probably a good thing. I look forward to watching these guys fight it out this season.
One question for DC coming into tonight’s match is the backline. Right now, there are injuries to Emiliano Dudar and Dejan Jakovic, two of our centerbacks. That’s a big deal since Ethan White is still recovering from surgery which leaves only one centerback at 100% (Brandon McDonald). From some of the reports I’ve been reading, Dudar has been practicing a little bit but Jakovic hasn’t. If neither of them can go tonight, Robbie Russell might be seeing time in the centerback role, a position he played a little on Saturday against New England. Hopefully among all these switches and injuries, the defense can hold their line against Montreal.
Overall, I hate to sound cocky but this should be a blue milk run for DC (yep, that was a Star Wars reference). Montreal is a new team still trying to find its rhythm in MLS play, winless on the road, and whose only overall win has come against Toronto FC. So yes, anything short of three points will be a major disappointment in my book.
**Tonight during the 12th minute, there will be a moment of silence from the fans in honor of Javier ‘Chico’ Solares who was a passionate fan and elder of the Barra Brava.**
(image courtesy of Tony Quinn/Icon SMI)
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