D.C. United- Orlando City SC Preview

Temperatures and tempers may be at a boiling point on Sunday night when D.C. United (8-4-4, 28 points) travel to the Sunshine state to take on Orlando City SC (4-5-5, 17 points). With pitch conditions expected to be close to 103 degrees neither team will need to pack a long sleeve shirt for the weekend’s marquee game. The game will be start at 7pm EST at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando and be shown live on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Deportes.

Despite D.C. United having the advantage in the season-series over their new Eastern Conference rivals (2-0-0) Orlando City should come into this match knowing that they can play against the Eastern Conference leaders. In their first match, Orlando had the majority of shots on target in the match and only dropped three points late when United midfielder Luis Silva nailed his free kick in stoppage time to give D.C. the win in Orlando. In the second match, Orlando had the early lead when Cyle Larin buried home his chance against United goalkeeper Bill Hamid. But a pair of late goals by Chris Rolfe and Chris Pontius gave D.C. the 2-1 win.

If there is one particular theme from both of these matches that Orlando can learn from for this match it is that they cannot surrender goals late. Although they have only conceded 19 goals this season, 11 of them have come in the second half of matches and 5 of them have come in the last 15 minutes of the match. D.C. United have shown that they are able to score late in matches with 13 of their 20 goals coming in the second half, 6 of which have come in the final 45 minutes.

How can Orlando keep United from getting points late? Avoiding rash challenges late would be a good start. In general both clubs suffer from the foul bug with United and Orlando both currently ranking in the top ten in fouls committed (fifth and seventh respectively). But Orlando has shown a penchant for the late challenge that puts their defense in a compromising position. Orlando center-backs Aurelien Colling and Amobi Okugo must not let their tempers get the best of them, especially against a forwards like Fabian Espindola (1 goal, 4 assists) and Jairo Arrieta (5 goals) who will look for the quick foul late.

While both teams will be affected by the FIFA international window, it will be Orlando that will be hit the worst. Left-back Brek Shea will be back for the match, but the team will be without Cyle Larin as well as midfielder Darwin Ceren. Larin’s absence, coupled with the injury of Pedro Ribeiro, likely means that forward Danny Mwanga will start up front. Orlando coach Adrian Heath could go with Shea up front but since he has not played in the position all season Mwanga would seem to be the safer option.

D.C. United might not have the international absences that Orlando does (only defensive midfielder Markus Halsti is out) but they certainly best them in the injury department. Starting right-back Sean Franklin and midfielder-forward Chris Pontius will both be out of this match, as will super-sub midfielder Miguel Aguilar. Starting left-back Taylor Kemp may be available as a substitute, but with a thin defense expect Chris Korb to slot in at the left-back position and Kofi Opare to be the right-back. Homegrown player Jalen Robinson may also be used late.

Despite the injuries, United defense has been spectacular this season surrendering only fifteen goals (third lowest in Major League Soccer). Defensive midfielder Perry Kitchen and center-backs Bobby Boswell and goalkeeper Bill Hamid have given the club a level of consistency while the rest of the team struggled to stay healthy. What will be interesting to see in this match is how Orlando City talisman Kaka work against Steve Birnbaum. In their prior two matches, Kaka made short work of Opare by dragging him out of position. But Birnbaum has shown a bit more patience this season and seems to be willing to stay back. Orlando might be without their top forward but they will still be dangerous.

Despite the warm weather this will not be a match where the teams will struggle in the heat. Both sides like to break down their opponents on the flanks and will look to do the same in this match. United’s injuries along the back four are a bit troublesome and given that Orlando is undefeated in their last 5 matches they might just have enough to get their first win ever against D.C.