D.C. United are set to play their sixth match of the MLS Regular Season against Orlando City SC on Sunday, May 16 at 8 p.m. EST. United will look to continue their early season success at home as they take on a tough Orlando City squad that has yet to lose a match during the 2021 season.
In their last match on Thursday, D.C. United won 1-0 against Chicago Fire FC on their return from a 3-game road trip. United capitalized on an early goal scored by Edison Flores and kept a clean sheet thanks to a strong effort in goal by debutant Jon Kempin. Flores found the back of the net in 7th minute after some impressive buildup play. Moses Nyeman played a perfectly weighted pass into Adrien Perez's path and his cross found an unmarked Edison Flores inside the six-yard box. Flores' headed effort went past the Chicago goalkeeper for the breakthrough goal. The goal was Flores’ first for the Black-and-Red and was also the first career MLS assist for Adrien Perez in his second consecutive start; the first time he has started two consecutive games in his MLS career. Nyeman also earned an assist on the goal, the first of the season for the young Homegrown midfielder.
The second half was led by the center back trio of Alfaro, Brillant, and Hines-Ike who kept Chicago’s attack at bay for the remainder of the match. Jon Kempin, in his D.C. United debut, made three crucial saves, including his most notable save late in the second half when he lunged to his right to stop a shot from short range and keep the score at 1-0. Neither team were able to find the back of the net in the second half and the match ended 1-0 in favor of D.C. United; their first clean sheet of 2021.
Paul Arriola came on as a substitute in the 75th minute to make his first appearance of the season after recovering from an injury he suffered while on loan at Swansea City AFC. His energy and experience were crucial in helping United maintain their lead in the closing minutes of the match and secure their second win at Audi Field in 2021.
Sunday night’s matchup will be the 12th time these two sides face off. United have an all-time record of 6-4-1 against Orlando City SC since their inaugural MLS season in 2015. United have yet to lose to Orlando at Audi Field, boasting a 2-0-0 record against them at home. Their most recent match was on June 26, 2019 when United won 1-0 at Audi Field thanks to Wayne Rooney’s goal in the 10th minute when he scored from his own half of the field.
D.C. United against Orlando City SC on Sunday night at 8 p.m. EST at Audi Field will be broadcast on NBC Sports Washington and TeleXitos and can be streamed on www.dcunited.com.
