SoccerNews
Troy Lesesne admitted D.C. United’s trip to Philadelphia Union could have huge playoff implications, but played down the significance of a win.
D.C. are level on points with Philadelphia but sit one place below them in the Eastern Conference in 10th due to their inferior goal difference.
Lesesne’s team are currently unbeaten in three, having come from behind to draw 1-1 with New York City FC last time out after back-to-back wins.
A win on Sunday would move D.C. above their opponents, but Lesesne is not resting their end-of-season hopes on one match.
“This is a big match, there’s no way around that,” Lesesne said.
“Regardless of the outcome, there are still going to be four matches after this weekend that will be equally as important.
“Clearly, we can position ourselves in a great way if we can pick up three points, but it’s not in this mindset of a ‘must-win’ by putting the weight of the world on this result.
“We need to recognise the importance, but not go over the top by putting too much significance on it with five left to play.”
Eyes set on Sunday pic.twitter.com/gtKf9HWsPm
— D.C. United (@dcunited) September 20, 2024
Meanwhile, Philadelphia bounced back from defeat to Inter Miami by thrashing NYCFC 5-1 in midweek.
Head coach Jim Curtin was buoyed by that result and is keen to keep that momentum going at the weekend.
“I think we’ve had a playoff mindset and a playoff mentality because we’ve put ourselves in a situation where we’ve had to,” Curtin said.
“We have to find ways to take points in hard games. The win [against NYCFC] means nothing if we don’t go home and take care of business there in our next two big games.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Philadelphia Union – Tai Baribo
Tai Baribo had both a goal and an assist in Philadelphia’s win on Wednesday.
It was Baribo’s first assist as a member of the Union to go with his 15 career goals for the club in all competitions.
D.C. United – Christian Benteke
Christian Benteke scored in D.C. United’s last away match, a 2-1 win at Chicago Fire, his 10th road goal of the regular season.
The only D.C. player to score more goals on the road in a single regular season was Roy Lassiter (11) in 1999.
In my own lane, on my own frequency. pic.twitter.com/UY0yABiCyQ
— Christian Benteke (@chrisbenteke) September 16, 2024
MATCH PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN
The Union have won 12 of their last 16 regular season matches against D.C. United (D3 L1) dating back to May 2017. Philadelphia outscored D.C. 46-14 over those 16 matches.
However, Philadelphia have lost seven of their last 12 regular season home matches (W2 D3) after losing just six of their previous 78 such games at Subaru Park dating back to March 2019 (W53 D19).
Meanwhile, D.C. have collected 13 points from their last six regular season matches (W4 D1 L1) after earning just 11 points from their previous 17 league matches (W2 D5). This is the first time they have collected 13 points in a span of six regular season matches since August-September 2021.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Philadelphia Union – 57.1%
Draw – 22.2%
D.C. United – 20.7%