All hope lies in a New York Red Bulls player.
Although those may be words that no D.C. United supporter may want to say it is the position that they find themselves in. After a midweek trade to acquire the services of Lloyd Sam United are hoping that their former foil can become a friend in their 2016 Major League Soccer campaign. Their first test will come on Saturday night as Sam and United head to Talen Energy Stadium to take on the Philadelphia Union (7pm The Comcast Network, News Channel 8, MLS Live).
United almost escaped with a point in their first match-up this season, defending for large portions of the match. But Philadelphia pulled off the victory late thanks to a goal by midfielder Richie Marquez in stoppage time.
Given all of the injuries to both sides both sides may welcome a 1-0 result. The Union will be without midfielder Sebastian Le Toux and forward Fabian Herbers while D.C. is still missing midfielders Patrick Nyarko and Chris Rolfe (concussion).
Although the loss of Le Toux has hindered the Union, the good news for Jim Curtin’s side is that forward C.J. Sapong is returning to form. Sapong was Philadelphia’s leading goal-scorer prior to injuring his ankle in the club’s 3-2 victory over Columbus Crew SC. Sapong did play 27 minutes last week against. However the question remains whether he can play a full 90 minutes.
If Sapong is limited to just a reserve role expect Curtin to use Roland Alberg in a 4-5-1. Alberg has scored five goals in the past three matches for the Union including a hat trick against the Chicago Fire on June the 22nd. As opposed to Sapong, who likes to take on defenders directly, Alberg is a bit more crafty hitting shots from distance and working between the gaps. With Steve Birnbaum back at center-back for United for the first time in nearly two months look and readjusting to his teammates Philadelphia will have chances against a stout D.C. defense (just eleven goals allowed).
The big key for D.C. in this match is getting some of the pressure off of goalkeeper Bill Hamid. Hamid has bailed out his United teammates on multiple occasions since making his return from knee surgery. Well that has certainly worked thus far, D.C. cannot rely just on Hamid’s theatrics to keep them in matches. Union midfielder Chris Pontius (5 goals in 2016) knows all too well what makes United tick having played with the side for over six years and will know how to get past the difficult D.C. defense.
The addition of Sam should help a lagging D.C. attack (17 goals scored, second lowest in MLS) the question is where does he fit on this squad. In last week’s 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake D.C. used a very, very conservative 4-5-1 which produced just two shots on target. With Sam as an option either as a starter or off of the bench United coach Ben Olsen can go back to a 4-4-2 with presumably Sam and Lamar Neagle on the win and Fabian Espindola and Luciano Acosta up top.
During his time with the New York Red Bulls Sam was at his best when leading his team on the counter-attack. Even though he is 31 he still possesses the speed and the ability to make the cross from the periphery of either the left or right flank. That should pose problems for a Union defense that has struggled to maintain their shape on the counter-attack.
As with many of these matches in recent years this test will likely come down to one or two mistakes from either side. If D.C. can produce something on the attack and keep the pressure off of Hamid they may pull out a result in this match.
DC United
Philadelphia Union
