Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Unibet
Two sides who find themselves seeking some recent stability, DC United will welcome the New York Red Bulls to Audi Field in the early hours of Monday morning.
DC United
Starting with the hosts, mounting what was a remarkable comeback on the road earlier in the week, there is no doubt that DC United will be desperate to build off of that rally. While they might have only managed to leave the Chicago Fire with a single point to show for their troubles, the Black-and-Red did bag two last-gasp goals to pick up a 2-2 draw. However, despite showing their resolve on the road in midweek, Head Coach Hernán Losada has seen his side largely fail to build off of their stunning 7-1 romp against Toronto on home soil when opening July. Still sat outside the Final Series spots and tipped as an outsider in the Eastern Conference, DC United have recorded just a single victory in their last five MLS matchups. Knowing that their return to Audi Field does offer a golden chance to leapfrog Monday’s guests, Losada should at least be boosted by his side’s recent success on home soil. Including that 7-1 win earlier in the month, DC have landed back-to-back wins in Washington.
Team News
Still away with the USA at this year’s Gold Cup, the duo of Paul Arriola and Donovan Pines will once again be missing on Monday.
With both Edison Flores and Brendan Hines-Ike also still dealing with injury issues, neither will feature at Audi Field.
New York Red Bulls
As for the visitors, while the New York Red Bulls might have received plenty of praise when bringing in Head Coach Gerhard Struber last year, they are enduring an extended sluggish patch. Despite dominating large spells of their trip to Toronto earlier in the week, the one-time Barnsley boss saw his side throw away the lead and eventually have to settle for another point on the road. Missing another chance to break their way into the Final Series spots, the Eastern Conference outfit have gained a recent reputation for being a stalemate specialist. With it appearing that their impressive 2-1 victory against Orlando earlier in the month might have just been a minor boost, the Red Bulls have now had to settle for a single point in three of their last four MLS matchups. In fact, Monday’s guests have managed to win just one of their previous five contests, a run that stems back to June 19th.
Team News
Both Andres Reyes and Youba Diarra are still dealing with injury issues and will not make the trip to Audi Field on Monday.
Likewise, long-term absentee and defender Aaron Long is still out with an Achilles Tendon injury.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Monday’s opponents last faced off back in April, they played out a 1-1 draw.
- Both sides have managed to win just one of their previous five MLS matchups.
- New York Red Bulls have drawn three of their last four MLS fixtures.
- Each of DC United’s last four contests have finished with both teams finding the net.
- Likewise, four of New York’s last five matchups on the road have finished in an identical outcome.
Conclusion
Managing to come from two goals down in the dying moments away at Chicago earlier in the week, DC United will be desperate to build off of the comeback. Eventually leaving with a 2-2 draw to show for their troubles, Monday’s hosts have gained a reputation for their lively outcomes at both ends of the pitch. Trying to find a similar level that saw them land that 7-1 romp against Toronto on July 3rd, don’t be surprised to see what could be another action-packed meeting at Audi Field. With the New York Red Bulls seeing four of their last five MLS matchups on the road finish with both teams finding the net, we’re backing a similar outcome in Washington.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Unibet
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