Atlanta United will visit D.C. United on Wednesday in a matchup of teams trending in opposite directions.
The Five Stripes (6-6-3) have won two consecutive games, including 3-1 over Columbus last week, while D.C. United (4-8-3) has one win its past seven.
Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) of the Washington Post answered three questions ahead of Wednesday's game.
(Why just three questions, instead of the usual five? Two games this week, that’s why.)
1: Has anything changed for D.C.United since its 3-1 win over Atlanta United earlier this season?
A: United has not scored in the run of play since its visit to Bobby Dodd Stadium. That’s 765 minutes of league ineptitude. The only goal during the rut was an undeserved penalty kick in Vancouver in late May. D.C. does not score goals. Period. Maybe facing Atlanta United again will bring the attack back to life.
2. Looking back, Atlanta United said D.C. United won because of three specific mistakes. I’m curious to hear D.C. United’s take on its win.
A: D.C. felt fortunate to escape the early stages of the Atlanta visit with a one-goal deficit, thanks to Bill Hamid’s work in net. From there, the club was pleased with the way it managed the match and took advantage of its scoring opportunities. D.C. scored three times and could’ve notched one or two more. Ah, the good old days.
3: What is the matchup to watch?
A: D.C. will need to disrupt Miguel Almiron’s distribution and surges from central midfield. That task will fall on Ian Harkes and Jared Jeffrey, assuming they start again. With a heavy slate of matches, Ben Olsen might adjust the lineup and insert Marcelo Sarvas a hard man in the heart of the formation who could apply physical pressure on Atlanta’s conductor.
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