With their 2022 MLS playoff hopes officially over, DC United have a chance to put a dent in the postseason aspirations of Inter Miami, who they host on Sunday at Audi Field.
The Herons came up with a massive 2-1 victory at home to the Columbus Crew earlier this week, while DC have one win in their previous 10 domestic encounters, falling 3-0 at Sporting Kansas City on Tuesday.
Match preview
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After being a point away from claiming a postseason berth a year ago, DC have taken a giant step backwards in 2022, already assured of missing the playoffs for a third successive campaign.
Earlier this week, the Black and Red failed to tally for a third straight fixture as they continue to struggle in front of goal, having been shut out on 15 occasions this season.
It would be an understatement to say that the return of Wayne Rooney to the US capital has been a disappointment, as the record goalscorer with England and Manchester United has only picked up two wins in his 11 matches in charge.
Traditionally, he has employed a 3-5-2 formation or variations of that system, with the goal being to create some overloads to one side of the field.
Unfortunately, his players have rarely been able to execute that approach effectively, as DC seem to be missing a solid number 10 who has the kind of imagination that can give their quality Designated Players some great scoring opportunities.
They have allowed more goals than any MLS side this year (62), and only three consecutive shutouts will prevent them from equalling a club record for the most tallies conceded in a single regular season campaign (63 in 2000).
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The phrase it is not how you start but how you finish could be applied to Inter Miami, who seemingly out of nowhere are knocking on the playoff door in the Eastern Conference.
Phil Neville's men failed to win their opening five matches of 2022 and were pretty inconsistent through the first half of the campaign, but with just one victory this week, a top seven spot in the Eastern Conference is suddenly there for the taking.
Their triumph on Tuesday ended a three-match losing run for the Herons, who will play their third game in eight days this weekend.
Sunday will be the first of two consecutive matches for them on the road, with Miami winless in four successive away games, losing their last three.
The Herons have one win in their previous four matches in which they have scored the opener, though two of their last three victories occurred when conceding first.
In four previous encounters versus the Black and Red, Miami have yet to claim a victory, squandering a 2-0 lead against them earlier this year in a 2-2 draw.
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Team News
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After collecting consecutive clean sheets to start this month, DC goalkeeper David Ochoa conceded three times versus SKC this week, while Ola Kamara has four goals in his career against the Herons.
Nigel Robertha currently find himself in a tie for first on the team regarding assists, as he and Christopher Durkin both have three this year.
Matai Akinmboni was not on the team sheet versus Kansas City, though last weekend he became the third-youngest player to feature in an MLS encounter (15 years, 329) when DC drew 0-0 with Real Salt Lake.
That feat has only been bested by two former MLS players, Alphonso Davies (15 years, 257 days) and Freddy Adu (14 years, 306 days).
Taxiarchis Fountas (head), Brendan Hines-Ike (foot), Brad Smith (knee) and Adrien Perez are all expected to miss this encounter because of injuries.
Christian Benteke continues to search for his first MLS goal, and Ravel Morrison was recently called up for international duty with the Jamaican national team.
Gonzalo Higuain has carried Miami on his shoulders in recent outings, scoring three goals in his last two games, including a brace on Tuesday, while Ariel Lassiter collected his third assist of the year and Alejandro Pozuelo set up the winning goal.
Three Herons players received call-ups for their respective national teams this week, including DeAndre Yedlin (USA), Robert Taylor (Finland) and Damion Lowe (Jamaica).
Leonardo Campana is listed as questionable with a quad strain, Brek Shea and Robbie Robinson are out because of hamstring tightness, while Ian Fray is not expected to feature due to a knee injury.
DC United possible starting lineup:
Ochoa; Najar, Birnbaum, Pines, Odoi-Atsem; Hopkins, Canouse, Djeffal, Morrison; Kamara, Benteke
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Callender; Yedlin, Mabika, Sailor, Gibbs; Gregore, Mota; Taylor, Pozuelo, Lassiter; Higuain
We say: DC United 0-1 Inter Miami
DC look like a broken team, and it is hard to blame them, seeing as they have suffered six defeats by three goals or more this season, as all year they have struggled to keep the ball out of their own goal.
Inter Miami do not have much more overall quality than the Black and Red, but they have two individuals in Higuain and Pozuelo who have shown that they are capable of leading this team to victory on numerous occasions, and we expect them to do exactly that on Sunday.
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