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D.C. United and the Philadelphia Union enter Saturday’s match at Talen Energy Stadium in similar situations. Both teams only have one win this season and share identical records (1-3-2, 5 points). United spent the last few weeks battling to maintain momentum in an on-again-off-again schedule.
“It depends on how you look at a rivalry,” coach Ben Olsen said. “If you are looking at intensity and physicality and one team wanting to beat the other team because we are always in that mix of teams trying to get into the playoffs [it could me a rivalry].”
United secured its first win two weeks ago against the Columbus Crew at Navy-Marine Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. In an attempt to maintain form, United scrimagged the University of Maryland men’s soccer team and the Richmond Kickers in the off week.
The Union started its season with a win but, after an early bye week, were unable to build on the victory. The Union is winless in its last five matches and only scored one goal during the stretch.
“There is a lot of respect between the two clubs. There are a lot of similarities in the makeup of the clubs,” Pennsylvania-native Olsen said. “It’s a special place to me because I am from in and around there.”
Where: Talen Energy Stadium – Chester, Pennsylvania
When: Saturday, April 28 at 3:30 pm ET
Watch: Unimas, Twitter
Predicted Starting XI: Steve Clark; Joseph Mora, Steven Birnbaum, Frédéric Brillant, Nick DeLeon; Yamil Asad, Chris Durkin, Zoltán Stieber, Ulises Segura, Luciano Acosta; Darren Mattocks
Finding momentum
Once again, D.C. United is coming off an extra week of rest. After securing its first win, United had to get creative with how they kept game-ready. The team traveled the short 10 miles to College Park, Maryland last week to play two friendly matches against local teams.
The first match was against forward Patrick Mullins’ alma mater, the University of Maryland men’s soccer team. United also played a full match against USL affiliate Richmond Kickers, featuring United goalkeeper Travis Worra.
“It’s nice to not be kicking yourself and your teammates for a little bit,” Mullins said. “The break gives you a time to ask yourself questions of ‘where do I need to improve’ and ‘where do we need to improve as a team?’”
The games allowed United to maintain a regular schedule in a month of momentum-killing weekends off.
“You have two weeks and you try to mimic that rhythm of a game as much as possible,” Olsen said. “There are a lot of guys that need 90 minutes for their lungs and legs.”
Off week work versus our friends at @MarylandMSoccer. #DCU pic.twitter.com/38L7svCk2C
— D.C. United (@dcunited) April 21, 2018
United is still working to bring back injured players. Midfielders Russell Canouse and Junior Moreno faced slower returns than expected. Moreno recently encountered a setback in his hamstring recovery, injuring his other leg in the process.
“We have a bye week every other week, so that helps with the healing,” Olsen said.
Midfielder Paul Arriola will go three weeks without a game due to a combination of bye weeks and disciplinary action after a red card in the game against Columbus.
Question mark in net
While the midfield thins, the competition between the posts heats up.
Goalkeeper Steve Clark got his first start of the season against his former club in United’s win over Columbus. On his birthday, Clark recorded five saves in 90 minutes, including 39 minutes with a 10-man team.
“It was my birthday. We beat my former team,” Clark said. “We were down. It was a really special weekend.”
Clark earned the spot last match after typical starter David Ousted injured his foot in training. Clark seized the opportunity. Part of Clark’s disadvantage was his familiarity to the club. Clark started the last five games of United’s 2017 season when Bill Hamid began exploring options overseas.
In the offseason, United acquired Ousted after his option was declined in Vancouver.
“I believe in what I am doing. I have won a lot of games in this league. I am a leader in the locker room, and I am a match-winning goalkeeper,” Clark said. “The coach picks the team. I just continue to do my best.”
The tough competition between two experienced goalkeepers gave Olsen a challenge he hasn’t had in recent seasons.
“It’s a hard thing to evaluate because they are both starting goalkeepers in the league. We always knew we were going to face this, and we always knew it was going to be a pretty good problem to have.“
When prompted to elaborate on which goalkeeper has the edge, Olsen joked, “I will flip a coin.”