Game Day Hub: New York City vs DC United at Audi Field

It's Matchday 28, and New York City FC are in the nation's capital to take on a DC United that are looking pretty good.

New York City are coming off a brutal 4-2 away loss to Columbus Crew that saw the defense give up two stoppage-time goals — and that saw star goalkeeper Matt Freese leave early with what turned out to be an MCL sprain. United are coming off a well-worked 1-2 away win over Chicago Fire that saw them climb into 9th Place in the Eastern Conference as the underachieving club try to make the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

One thing for sure is that tonight won't be a replay of the April matchup between these two clubs, when New York City won 2-0 at Citi Field.

Back then NYCFC had yet to realize that they had one of the best strikers in MLS in Alonso Martínez, who spent that game on the bench. And they faced a United squad that was struggling under the new system imposed by new coach Troy Lesesne is now firing on all cylinders.

New York City vs DC United H2H

While the historic head-to-head favors New York City, recent matchups have been more even, with three wins for NYCFC and two wins for United.

In the most recent matchup between the two teams, New York City did a masterful job of containing Christian Benteke, limiting the league's leading goal-scorer to just two shots, neither of which were on target. But United's 2-0 win at Audi Field last year effectively kept New York City from making the playoffs for the first time since 2015, contributing to the disappointing season.

Episode 2: Christian Benteke is a scary man

This week there’s a lot to say about that new New York City FC crest, and a lot of questions around the starting goalkeeper spot and how Luis Barraza might handle it if Matt Freese is injured.

Hudson River BlueHudson River Blue Staff

New York City

• Player Availability: Forward Malachi Jones (leg) is unavailable. Forward Julián Fernández is serving a suspension after earning a red card vs Columbus. Santiago Rodríguez and Justin Haak are each one yellow card away from a suspension for accumulation.
• Goalkeeper Matt Freese (knee) is not on the official injury report but isn’t expected to play as he recovers from the MCL sprain suffered on August 31 in Columbus. Nick Cushing described it as a three-week recovery and, as of matchday at Audi Field, it's been two weeks since the knee injury occurred.
• If there's no Freese in the Starting XI, that means Luis Barraza will be in goal. We suspected as much last week, when Barraza made a surprise start for New York City FC II at their Icahn Stadium debut. Barraza didn't have the best game: He gave up an equalizing goal in stoppage time, failed to make any saves in the penalty shootout, and sent his penalty attempt over the bar.
• Andrés Perea, who was sidelined with an injury, was in full training with the team and is available for the first time since July 13.
• New York City's road record is a not-great 3W-4D-7L in league play, with 13 goals scored and 20 goals allowed. But that lines up nicely with DC's home record. (See below.)

New font, who dis? New York City FC’s updated badge

Some thoughts on New York City Football Club’s updated badge.

Hudson River BlueOliver Strand

DC United

• Player Availability: Defender Matai Akinmboni (ankle), defender Conner Antley (ankle), midfielder Jackson Hopkins (ankle), and defender David Schnegg (leg) aren't available. Midfielder Mateusz Klich is serving a suspension for yellow card accumulation.
• Benteke's 18 goals in league play make him the only goal-scorer with double digits on this squad — midfielder Gabriel Pirani has the second-most with four goals. But a total of 15 United players found the back of the net so far this season. (By comparison, 11 New York City players have scored including Talles Magno, who is now with Corinthians in Brazil's Serie A.)
• DC United's home record is a not-great 4W-3D-7L in league play, with 23 goals scored and 30 goals allowed.
• The fast, direct, aggressive style preferred by DC United coach Troy Lesesne has also meant that this team leads MLS in both yellow cards (81) and red cards (7).
• Looking to learn more about DC? Ted Meyer of RFK Refugees gives us some A+ intel in "Oppo Research: 5 Things about DC United."

Oppo Research: 5 Things about DC United

Ted Meyer of RFK Refugees tells us about DC United’s red-hot run of form, why Christian Benteke is no longer the only scoring threat, and how the buy-in to Troy Lesesnse’s system is paying off.

Hudson River BlueMatthew Mangam