D.C. United’s primary focus is getting sharp for the postseason, but it can secure the league’s best regular-season record and thus a spot in next year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup with a victory Saturday in Houston.
“We just gotta make sure we take care of business,” said United midfielder Josh Gros. “We’ve been trying to clinch it for a while.”
After two recent red cards, Gros has seen increased competition for his regular starting spot in the midfield from rookie Jeff Carroll, Stephen deRoux and newcomer Matias Donnet.
“The pressure’s always been there. Especially when you get yourself thrown out of a couple games, it doesn’t help your cause for keeping your spot,” said Gros.
Goalkeeper Nick Rimando (foot contusion) and forward Alecko Eskandarian (hamstring tendonitis) did not practice Friday. Neither traveled with the team to Houston.
“My point with this is we’re going to take the players who want to play … We’re not going to go through their bodies. They’re supposed to know whether they want to push themselves or they just want to have the time off for rest of the end of season,” said United coach Peter Nowak. “For Nick and Esky, it’s just a question of what they are going to do in the next couple of weeks, whether they will be with this team and want to achieve something and play in this team, or they are not ready with their minds to push them through.”
MLS announced Friday that United defender Facundo Erpen received an additional game suspension and fine for the actions that led to his red card last weekend against New York.
D.C. United (15-4-10) at Houston Dynamo (10-8-11)
» When: Saturday, 8:30 p.m.
» Where: Robertson Stadium, Houston
» TV: Comcast SportsNet
» Radio: WMET-1160 AM, WACA-1540 AM
