Toronto FC aims to end D.C. United’s 20-game unbeaten streak at home on Saturday night when the two teams meet at RFK Stadium.
It will be a daunting task for the Reds to be sure, but Ben Olsen’s side is vulnerable. The Eastern Conference leaders have played six games in under three weeks, but they’re coming off a high.
Jairo Arrieta filled the void left by Chris Rolfe’s suspension, scoring twice in the second half to power United to a 3-1 win over the Chicago Fire on Wednesday. Fabian Espindola’s return from injury made a big difference. He’ll be one of the players TFC must contain if the Reds want to be streak breakers in the United States capital.
Here are three keys to Saturday night’s game:
Replacing Michael Bradley
With Michael Bradley away on international duty the Reds will have to replace their captain at the top of Greg Vanney’s midfield diamond. First-year professional Jay Chapman seems like the most likely player to start in Bradley’s absence. The Michigan State product played the full 90 minutes against Manchester City last week.
“Jay’s earned [the chance]. He’s come in from day one of preseason and worked, listened and put himself around the right guys to learn about professionalism,” said Vanney.
“For our young players to get through they have to be given a chance and you can’t just determine it from training sessions, you actually have to put them out there where the stadium lights are on and there is fans.”
Chapman singled out a pair of veterans that have helped mentor him this season.
“Michael has been awesome,” he said. “Whenever I need to improve he lets me know but also when I’m doing well he lets me know. Benoit Cheyrou has been very helpful. They’ve been through the process and know how difficult it is coming into a league as a young player.”
Other options in the attacking midfield role include Jackson and Jonathan Osorio, who would move over from the left.
Zavaleta Settling In
Eriq Zavaleta is settling in as a starting centre-back beside Damien Perquis.
The former Chivas USA defender has taken an interesting path, entering the league as a striker only to be converted to a defender. He played five games for Seattle in his rookie year.
“I was a young player, a naive player, and wasn’t, frankly, good enough in my first year,” said Zavaleta.
He played for Chivas USA last season, starting 15 games for the club. Though he was getting minutes, it was for a bad team that would soon be folded by the league.
This year he’s in Toronto and has started the past two games for the Reds. Asked to pinpoint why he’s found success, though it may still be early days, the Indiana alum was candid.
"At the end of the day I've been given a chance here. That's the biggest thing."
Zavaleta was named to the MLS team of the week after his performance against San Jose.
“Whether it’s being in the starting XI or making MLS team of the week or whatever it may be, I want to strive to get better,” he stated. “I want to become an all-star, and really, help this team win games.”
D.C.’s Veteran Presence
D.C. United is a squad chock-full of solid MLS players that know how to win games under adverse circumstances.
Yes the above sentence is as cliched as they come, but the results don’t lie. Ben Olsen’s side have overcome a slew of injuries to top the Eastern Conference. Their latest triumph came against the Chicago Fire after a poor first half left spectators at RFK Stadium searching for answers in the stadium’s concourse.
Fabian Espindola was immense after coming on as a substitute in the second half. The former New York Red Bulls winger was returning from a shoulder injury. 45 minutes and two assists later, D.C. United recorded a 3-1 win.
D.C. has been without a full squad for most of the season and still find themselves on top. That’s a testament to the depth assembled by Olsen and his staff.
