In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue spoke with Ted Meyer of RFK Refugees to learn more about DC United, New York City FC's opponent for the second time this season. Here is your NYCFC vs DC United preview.
• League Form (All Comps): W-W-L-L-W
• Record: 8W, 8D, 12L | 32 points, 9th place
• Scoring Leader: Christian Benteke, 18 goals
• Assist Leader: Jared Stroud, 7 assists
1. DC United is finding their form at the right time
Hudson River Blue: DC United, coming off their League Cup Round of 32 exit, won two of their last three MLS matches. In that three-game stretch, DC scored eight goals and conceded six. How do you assess DC’s current form heading into the season's final stretch?
Ted Meyer: The recent form has been a return to form of sorts for DC United. They started the season very bright and seemed to have immediate buy-in with Troy Lesesnse's system. While the results weren't always there, performances were promising. That form quickly turned into a horror show as the team piled up injuries and absences and appeared to run out of steam. Thankfully the transfer window came and the team was able to re-stock some talent and actually have more than two subs on the bench. That has helped the team return to the early season form that saw them look competitive.
No one is under any illusion that this is a team that can compete for a trophy but the small run in Leagues Cup and the two wins before the break combined with the two wins now have pushed them back in the playoff fight. Obviously, in this run, Christian Benteke remains the focal point, but the team has finally shown other ways to score other than relying on Benteke. Ted Ku-Dipietro, Martin Rodriguez, Gabriel Pirani, and Dominique Badji have stepped up to contribute goals, and that has helped the team do enough in recent games to compensate for a struggling defense. They still have Benteke as the main show, but they now have other ways to create chances. Defensively the team has been better. The game last week in Chicago was surprising as DC United looked comfortable holding a lead, which is something that hasn't been a thing all year.
2. Christian Benteke is the forefront of DC's offense
HRB: Christian Benteke has been on a tear all season, leading MLS with 18 goals in 24 games. With DC in ninth place, could Benteke lead the club to their first playoff appearance since 2019?
TM: Considering the new front office, new coach, and hellish cap situation, playoffs were the highest this team could hope for. Benteke chasing the Golden Boot was probably the only scenario that would have fans thinking about playoffs. Benteke's strike rate has been excellent and it has been incredible how Troy has managed to get more out of him.
It is notable how much he wants to be here, so much so that the team signed him to a brand new contract for next year. He can certainly help power this team to the playoffs, but it is pretty clear he can't do this alone. For the longest time, he was the only player with multiple goals. That has thankfully changed, still, DC United's second-highest goalscorer right now is Gabriel Pirani who is only there because he has two goals in two games. The team needs to continue to find alternative ways to score and rack up multi-goal leads to give their leaky defense space to have their moments.
3. DC's defensive depth has negatively affected them
HRB: DC’s biggest struggle this season has been the defense, which conceded 56 goals, the second-most in the Eastern Conference. What is the cause of this? And how could Troy Lesesne fix this problem?
TM: Defensively, this team was half-baked heading into 2024. The team has surrendered 20-plus points from leading positions. Much of that has been due to a lack of depth defensively, but it has also been some of their own making. They have journeymen center defenders Christopher McVey and Lucas Bartlett, and they have done an ok job considering their back-up roles for previous teams. However, they are nowhere near elite. Beyond them are Garrison Tubbs and Matai Ackinmboni, who are young talents but still a few years away from being complete. Outside back has also been a mess. Aaron Herrera has been excellent, but if he is hurt, there is no real natural right back behind him. The team went without a natural left-back for months, and their summer signing David Schnegg picked up an injury that has him out probably until the end of September.
They did get some help in the defensive midfield position. Borris Enow has shown promise (despite a silly second yellow a couple of weeks ago), and the team just got back long-time midfielder Russell Canouse is also back after dealing with ulcerative colitis. Combine injuries to Conner Antley and Steve Birnbaum (who recently retired) and it is tough to compete with the lack of depth. The team doesn't have a Next Pro side, so they can't pull players from that like other clubs to fill out depth. They are stuck with the roster they have and also have to manage a bad cap situation that didn't allow them to re-make their lineup this year. Look for the fix to come in the winter as contracts expire and a wealth of cap space opens up. With the possibility of an open DP slot, perhaps we see the club look at a lockdown center back to give the team a boost next year.
4 The X-Factor: How DC responds without Klich
HRB: What’s the X-factor that could decide this game?
TM: The biggest blow to DC United's chances this week will be the silly yellow card Mateusz Klich picked up last week for time-wasting. He appeared to be asking for distance on the corner, but the referee showed the card to him anyway. That card means he is suspended, and that leaves a massive hole in the midfield. His pressing abilities and long-range passing help the team open up opportunities. This year when he isn't there, DC United suffers.
That probably means the team will need their other creative midfielder Martin Rodriguez to step up. He has looked insanely promising recently despite being in the last year of his contract. His calmness on the ball and ability to commit to the press helped DC tremendously against Chicago, really shutting down any real opportunities for them. After a rough start, he has looked committed and even has some fans wanting him back next year. If he steps up into the Klich role and delivers it could be a good night for DC United. If he doesn't then DC doesn't really have much else in the midfield as far as creative force.
5. Predicted score, Starting XI
HRB: Prediction time: Starting XI? Final score?
TM: The loss of Klich is significant in this game, and I think it will impact DC United. However, DC has found a way to beat NYCFC when they play at home even when it doesn't look like it. I am going 2-1 DC United.
