Games vs. Union, Crew could shift standings in the East Easy wouldn’t be nearly as much fun.
D.C. United got a much-needed injection of confidence with its quick and precise 4-1 demolition of Real Salt Lake last weekend. But the three points gained from the victory insured only that United remains in a tightly knit group of Eastern Conference contenders in a playoff hunt that doesn’t appear anywhere close to being decided with six games remaining for United.
| Up next | ||||||||
| D.C. United at Philadelphia Union | ||||||||
| When » | Thursday, 8 p.m. | |||||||
| Where » | PPL Park, Chester, Pa. | |||||||
| TV » | ESPN2 | |||||||
| Eastern Conference | ||||||||
| W | L | T | Pts | |||||
| Houston | 10 | 9 | 12 | 42 | ||||
| Columbus | 11 | 11 | 8 | 41 | ||||
| Kansas City | 10 | 9 | 11 | 41 | ||||
| Philadelphia | 9 | 7 | 13 | 40 | ||||
| New York | 8 | 7 | 15 | 39 | ||||
| D.C. United | 9 | 8 | 11 | 38 | ||||
“I’m really happy we’re in the spot we’re in,” United coach Ben Olsen said. “It’s crucial for these young guys to feel this and go through this, a little bit of pressure. This is part of the process I’d hoped we be a part of.”
Entering Wednesday, only four points separated the East’s top six teams in the East. United (9-8-11, 38 points) remains the furthest back, but it has played three fewer games than first-place Houston (10-9-12, 42 points) and two fewer than Columbus (11-11-8, 41 points), Kansas City (10-9-11, 41 points) and New York (8-7-15, 39 points).
With one game in hand on Philadelphia, a playoff atmosphere is expected for United’s first visit to PPL Park, where the Union (9-7-13, 40 points), in search of their first postseason appearance in their second MLS season, have lost only once (6-1-8) this year. D.C. United has more wins on the road (five) than it does at home (four).
“I don’t know if it’s any more special than a Portland or Seattle, places that these guys have all played in,” Olsen said. “I’m not so concerned about that. I’m concerned about how our approach is and making sure we again put on a defensive effort as a group … because it always translates into us being a better offensive team.”
Much of D.C. United’s preparation will center on stopping Philadelphia forward Sebastien Le Toux (eight goals, eight assists), who has scored five times in his last five games, while a far bigger amount of the attention will focus on Freddy Adu’s first game against his former club. Adu missed Philadelphia’s previous game with a right ankle sprain but was not listed on Wednesday’s injury report.
Besides the second hat trick this season for Dwayne De Rosario (13 goals, 11 assists), other new additions to United’s lineup last weekend — defender Marc Burch and midfielders Austin da Luz and Stephen King — have given Olsen confidence that his team is better prepared to handle a quick turnaround that will see United face another crucial conference clash Sunday at the Crew.
“To be honest, I like when the games are fast and furious,” the 33-year-old De Rosario said. “When you are out here training for the whole week, sometimes it’s long days. I like it when the games, you’re in and out, sharp training sessions, and before you know it, you’re preparing for the next match.”
