DC United vs Philadelphia Union Game Preview

The Managers

DC United - Troy Lesesne 

The New DC United Head Coach has been doing a good job in creating an identity for the Black & Red. Lesesne’s hallmark is a strategically applied high-pressing game. People will point to his time with Red Bull, but his tactics draw more inspiration from the Union’s philosophy. Like Jim Curtin, Lesesne encourages his players to apply pressure on opponents at opportune times. DC United currently leads MLS in challenge intensity and passes allowed per defensive action (PPDA). Their pressing actions are concentrated in a narrow 4-1-3-2 shape, aiming to overload the midfield or force wide passes from the center-backs to the full-backs.

The big thing Lesesne needs to do now is create better depth and stamina in the Black & Red, so they don’t surrender late points.

Philadelphia Union  - Jim Curtin

The Philadelphia Union Head Coach is one of the best American coaches in MLS. With Philadelphia, Curtin began his coaching career by establishing the Union’s academy system. This has established him as a coach quite skilled at developing young players.  

Since being named Head Coach, Curtin has built Philadelphia into an Eastern Conference powerhouse. Each year they are in contention for Supporter’s Shield and a threat in the MLS Cup. At the same time they have become synonymous with developing young talented players and being a springboard for going to Europe and making USMNT rosters. 

The Union utilize a zonal press system, quite similar to the one United’s new Head Coach has installed. They use the press to disrupt their opponents, and transition into quick attacks. Curtin has made the Union consistently one of the most successful defensive teams in MLS. With Blake in goal, and his defensive back line, the Union are always difficult to score against.

While not as dominant as in the past, Jim Curtin again has the Union in the conversation as one of the best teams in the East.

Summary: 

The Black & Red host their closest neighbors, and the team that the MLS Front Office would like to be United’s rivalry. It’s not that there isn’t a rivalry, but MLS should let it grow naturally, instead of trying to force it. 

Recently the Union have owned DC. For this to become a true rivalry, United needs to start picking up some results against Philly. Once this game becomes a more 

As for tonight’s game, DC has 

The Union are coming off a midweek makeup game against the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday night. The Sounders, who DC was able to hold off last week, were able to put three goals past the Philadelphia defense.

Keys to the Match: 

Can DC get past Philadelphia? 

DC United have played Philadelphia to 0-0 draws twice last season at Subaru Park. They were then hammered pretty hard in their line matchup at Audi Field. When you add that DC lost in the penalty shootout in the League’s Cup’s match, it’s pretty easy to see that the Union still have United’s number. Of course these results were better than the humiliation DC received from the Union in 2022, when Philadelphia out scored DC 13 to zero.

The Union are again good this season, they were the last team in MLS without a loss, but they are not great, yet. DC and the Union are tied on points in the standings, with Philadelphia ahead on goal differential and having played one less match. Otherwise the two teams look very similar in the standings.

This would be a good chance for United to help break the hold that the Union have had on them. If the Black & Red can avoid the mistakes that have cost them in the past, and take advantage of the opportunities they do create, they have a chance.

How much does Ted KDP play? Ted Ku-DiPietro has been out for the Black & Red the last few weeks. His absence has been noticeable. The 21-year-old false nine has played well when healthy, and has been the most dangerous player for United not named Benteke. He has been a workhorse in the midfield and is a great linkup between Benteke and Klich, while showing a special creative prowess in the final third. His absence in the last couple of games has been noticeable. In KDP’s absence, Jacob Murrell picked up his first start last week, and looked really good. It will be interesting if Coach Lesesne tries a formation with both Murrell and KDP, as it would give United’s most goal scoring options.

Head Coach Lesesne mentioned in his presser said that Ted is back in practice, but it sounded like he would come off the bench. If Ted KDP is healthy, and can integrate himself back into the lineup, his natural partnership with Benteke will give United a fighting chance.

Can DC handle the Union’s Press? The Black & Red have shown a vulnerability to being countered. Against NYCFC, United wasn’t able to get any rhythm because of the pressure New York was able to apply. Because of this United were unable to create many scoring opportunities.

Against the Union there’s a better than average chance that the Union will press. If DC is to get the win they must handle the pressure, and create shot opportunities. Seattle handled Philadelphia’s press by going more direct, which DC can do, especially with Benteke at the top. However, United don’t always look the best when they are just kicking long. Against Seattle, United were not able to retain any control of the ball when going long.

DC have had a propensity to start on the front foot. They need to do this against the Union, and be ready for counters by Quinn Sullivan, Daniel Gazdag and Markus Anderson.

Can DC cut down on giving up set pieces? The Union have a propensity for scoring off set piece plays. They are well drilled, have an abundance of height, and a lot of skill on the ball. It’s important for DC to stay focused on defense, and stop presenting the opposing teams dangerous plays by giving them set pieces in the final third. Seattle had numerous scoring opportunities that they were unlucky not to finish. DC cannot count on the Union to miss the same chances. Philadelphia has shown in the past that they will pounce on any mistakes made by DC.

Can DC’s defense better clear the ball? The Black & Red have given up scoring opportunities because they have lacked the ability to clear the ball from their third, in a way that doesn’t just invite another wave of attacks. If the team could do a better job cleanly clearing the ball, they would greatly reduce the scoring chances of the opposing team. When the defense makes a stop, they need to be more confident in their control, and make better passes to outlets. Part of this is being more If the team can pass the ball to outlets better, whether their wingers or their midfielders, United will be less stressed, and quite possibly be able to take advantage of teams that are playing high, pushing for a goal.

Things to Watch: 

Offense - Christian Benteke again showed again that the DC United attack will go through him by scoring a brace against Seattle. If DC Midfielders  and Wingers get him the ball in dangerous positions, Benteke will put them on goal. Benteke’s ability to time his jumps, position himself well, and generate power in his headers is remarkable, and always gives him the chance to score. 

Unfortunately the Union are uniquely capable of defending against Benteke with their Center Back pairing. Jack Elliot’s height allows him to challenge Benteke in the air like few others in MLS. If the Union can take away United’s aerial attack, it will be important for United to put solid shots on goal. A return of Ted KDP will help with this. He has one of the best shots on the team, and is the most aggressive player United has. Another player that could help is Jacob Murrel. The 19-year old got the surprise start against the Sounders, and showed why. While he didn’t score, Murrel was quite impressive in his performance. He showed a willingness to shoot, and if not for some quick reflex saves, would have scored his first goal.

Jacob Murrel arguably has the best pure shot on the team. The ball comes off his foot cleanly, and he is very accurate in his shots. His first goal is coming, and without Blake in goal, it could be tonight.

With Benteke up top, Stroud on the right, Murrel will play on the left. This will allow him to use his speed and tuck inside when he gets the ball. With Ted KDP returning from injury, expect Pirani to start in the Ten spot. This will work well with Jacob Murrel, as Pirani has shown the ability to drift outside to the left during games. With Murrel cutting inside, Pirani will slide left, giving United another threat, as Pirani has now shown the ability to score.

Defense - Last week’s win over the Sounders showed that DC United’s defense can and will play with dogged determination to see out games. For United to get the win, Alex Bono will need to have another Man of the Match performance like he did against Seattle. The Union are going to create chances, for United to pick up 3 points they will have to keep those chances from becoming reality. 

Christopher McVey and Lucas Bartlett have continued to be a solid Center Back pairing. Both have shown a bit of stick, and willing to get physical with opposing players. They can get caught playing too high, and vulnerable to the counter attack. Both will need to be on their game, as the Union will look to exploit this.

Both have also shown the ability to play the ball from the back. It was McVey’s perfect deep pass to Stroud that caused the red card and the penalty shot. Those types of passes would prove very useful against Philadelphia. The sounders in the midweek game were able to exploit the unions defense utilizing accurate long passes up to speedy targets. McVay and Aaron Herrera especially effective in this.

With the return of Steven Birnbaum, it will be interesting to see if Head Coach Lesesne utilizes a back three at some point so he can get Birnbaum on the field without having to take off either McVey or Bartlett.

United’s biggest weakness at the moment is the Left Back. The Mohanad Jeahze experiment has been a bust. Pedro Santos is too old and slow to play the position for an entire game, and is better coming off the bench for the final 15 minutes. This leaves Cristian Dajome, who has been at least serviceable. He doesn’t bring anything to the offense, but he does provide speed, and determination.

Because of the style that the Union play, Head Coach Troy Lesesne may not utilize his pressing defense as much as he has in the past. United might be better off bunkering a bit and playing off the counter to take away Philadelphia’s strengths. 

The United defense have a good opportunity in this match but need to play disciplined soccer.