Both these teams head into Saturday’s clash at RFK Stadium on top form, with D.C. United unbeaten in five matches across all competitions and buoyant after reaching the U.S. Open Cup semifinal midweek.
While Vancouver are on a nice little run themselves, after two consecutive come-from-behind victories that has lifted them up the Western conference standings into the playoffs.
In United’s last four games Dwayne De Rosario and Christ Ponitus have scored seven goals between them and DeRo has been rested ahead of a tough stretch of games. The attacking duo have certainly shown that United’s season can be salvaged as they aim to move off the bottom of the Eastern conference with a win against Vancouver.
Ben Olsen’s men seem to have developed a better defensive shape and the acquisition of central defender Alain Rochat, who ironically arrived from Vancouver in a trade earlier this month, has proved pivotal to an upturn in D.C.'s fortunes.
One area United can target is Vancouver’s poor starts to the second half of games. The ‘Caps have let in eight goals during the 15 minute period after the interval, the highest number in Major League Soccer.
As for Vancouver they face the long journey to the US capital having only previously won four games away from home, since joining MLS in 2011. The ‘Caps have a shocking 4-27-10 all-time record on the road across three MLS seasons and Martin Rennie’s side will be looking to capitalize on United’s struggles and grab all three points.
Russell Teibert and Camilo Sanvezzo have been the stars of the show for Vancouver, with Camilo scooping the MLS Player of the Week award after scoring twice against Chivas USA last time out.
Defender Brad Rusin and midfielder Gershon Koffie will return to action for Vancouver, as only long-term absentees Jay DeMerit and Omar Salgado are out. However Andy O’Brien looks set to sit out this one but is making a good recovery from a hamstring strain.
There is nothing to choose between the two sides historically, as a 1-1-1 record is present for both. However Vancouver did lose to D.C. United 4-0 in their inaugural MLS season, with Chris Pontius scoring twice for Black and Red.
This game should be a real cracker with Olsen’s United side finally firing on all cylinders and coming off the back of some good results. However Vancouver have now got the chemistry correct and they won’t go down without a fight. Expect a feisty and entertaining game in D.C.