D.C. United V FC Dallas: Luccin hopes to use ‘new environment’ to overcome Leagues Cup disappointmen

Peter Luccin has likened training to a “new environment” as FC Dallas’ break from action has given a chance for injured players to return ahead of their clash with D.C. United.

Dallas fell to a disappointing group stage exit in the Leagues Cup but it could be a blessing in disguise for interim coach Luccin as it has allowed rest for an injury-hit squad.

Jesus Ferreira, Asier Illarramendi and Alan Vesco have all returned to action during the break.

Luccin feels those comebacks have sparked a change in attitude among his squad on the training ground.

“To have all of those players back is very important for us. That practice environment is good because everybody is pushing more, everybody wants to play,” he said. “All that new environment for us is beautiful. It’s very good.”

Dallas’ renewed impetus will also be aided by two new arrivals, right-back Ruan and midfielder Manuel Cafumana, who join Luccin’s roster.

Notice anything different? pic.twitter.com/IM3JotGLYA

— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) August 22, 2024

Both sides remain within reach of the play-off positions in their respective leagues but Dallas will have to overturn pre-season form to earn all three points.

United claimed victory in a friendly in February, but Luccin is unfazed by their past encounter.

“A preseason game is totally different. You know the intensity isn’t the same. Everyone is coming and playing with heavier legs and there are no fans in the stadium,” insisted Luccin.

“We didn’t even talk about that game. I’m more concerned about what they did in their last three or four games.”

The Black-and-Red fared little better than Dallas in the Leagues Cup, losing in the round of 32 to Mazatlan. Prior to that, they had just secured their first two wins after going winless for eleven games.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

DC United – Christian Benteke

The Belgian striker is United’s top scorer this season with 16 goals to his name, 13 more than any of his team-mates.

He has scored seven headed goals this season, tied with Cristian Arango for the most in MLS in 2024.

Dallas – Petar Musa

Petar Musa has scored in each of his last four MLS appearances. The only FC Dallas player to score in five straight league matches in a single regular season since 2010 was Paul Arriola in 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION: DC UNITED WIN

Dallas are winless in 12 regular-season away matches in 2024 (D4 L8), the longest run without a win on the road in the club’s history. Along with St. Louis City SC, they are one of two teams without an away win this regular season.

In contrast to Dallas’ poor form, D.C. United recorded their first set of consecutive wins in a single regular season since a three-match winning run in April 2023 with their two recent wins. D.C. had won only two of their previous 17 regular-season matches before that.

This will be United’s first home match against FC Dallas since October 2018. D.C. won the last meeting between the sides, 1-0, in Dallas in 2023 but have not won consecutive regular-season matches against Dallas since 1999—2000 (three straight).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

DC United – 38.7%

Draw – 26.5%

Dallas – 34.7%