Orlando City (10-8-9, 39 pts) heads into their most consequential game of the season so far this Saturday night, battling D.C. United (12-11-4, 40 pts) in a six-pointer at Exploria Stadium. The match, presented by Walt Disney World, is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. and will be televised locally with coverage beginning at 7 p.m. on FOX35 PLUS and LionNation TV. Radio coverage will be available from 7:30 p.m. on Real Radio 104.1 FM in English and Acción 97.9 FM and 810 AM in Spanish.
Here’s everything you need to know about D.C. United:
Key Transactions and Player News
Key Additions - Head Coach Hernán Losada (Beerschot), CF Nigel Robertha (Levski Sofia), CB Brendan Hines-Ike (Kortrijk, loan), RB Andy Najar (LAFC), CF Kimarni Smith (Clemson), CB Michael DeShields (Wake Forest), CB Tony Alfaro (Reno 1868), CM Drew Skundrich (Loudoun United), CF Ramón “Wanchope” Ávila (Boca Juniors, loan)
Key Departures - F/M Ulises Segura (Austin FC), RB Oniel Fisher (LA Galaxy), GK Earl Edwards Jr. (New England)
Player News - Center forward Ola Kamara scored his 17th goal of the season in D.C.’s 3-1 win on Wednesday night against Minnesota, giving him a two-goal lead on Sporting Kansas City’s Daniel Salloí for the Audi MLS Golden Boot. Eight of Kamara’s 17 goals, nearly half of his total, have come via penalty kick, including his tally against the Loons on Wednesday night.
Take a look at D.C. United’s full roster here.
Team Form
After Orlando City defeated D.C. on May 16, the Black-and-Red were 1-4-0 and looked destined for another finish below the playoff line. First-year head coach Hernán Losada has since worked his magic, though, and the Black and Red have played to a 1.64 point-per-game pace since their defeat against Orlando. With their victory on Wednesday, D.C. are perched perilously in third place in the East on 40 points, with Orlando and three other teams breathing down their necks at 39.
Head-to-Head
Orlando City’s win on May 16 was their fifth in all competitions against D.C. United and their first in the MLS regular season since September 2017. Mauricio Pereyra, playing against D.C. United for the first time in his career, scored an early goal and the Lions held on for a 1-0 away win. Orlando is 5-6-2 against D.C. in all competitions.
Rasmussen University Fact
Orlando City’s last home win against D.C. United came all the way back on May 31, 2017. Cyle Larin and Giles Barnes were the goalscorers for the Lions. Of course, Orlando has only played D.C. United at home twice in the past four and a half years, earning a 1-1 draw in 2018 and falling 2-1 in 2019.
