There is no doubt that D.C. United’s offense has grown in strength and confidence since they last faced the Montreal Impact at the beginning of August. Since the start of September, the Black-and-Red have scored nine goals across four matches, including three goals from Luciano Acosta and two goals from Wayne Rooney. Montreal have allowed at least one goal in four of their last five matches, and with D.C.’s offense putting up big numbers as of late, the attack could be the difference maker for the Black-and-Red.
The Acosta-Rooney partnership in particular has helped elevate United's overall level of play in the recent month, and their influence has been praised by the United coaching staff, their teammates, and the supporters alike.
“They have a real versatility about their game,” head coach Ben Olsen said of Rooney and Acosta. “Wayne, we all know he can score goals and maneuver in the box, but we also know he can spray a 40, 50, 60-yard ball in behind to unlock defenses. His range of passing is better than I thought, even better than I imagined. Wayne and [Acosta] continue to have a good feel for each other, whether it’s up high in the box or in the center of the park.”
But Rooney and Acosta aren’t the only ones finishing plays for United. The Black-and-Red have had six goal scorers over their last five matches, including Ulises Segura, Darren Mattocks, Steven Birnbaum, and Paul Arriola, in addition to Rooney and Acosta. With such versatility in their scoring, D.C. have a wide array of offensive tools to challenge Montreal’s defense.
The Black-and-Red will also be well-rested coming into Saturday’s match thanks to a two-week break after a busy streak of games. Following the 3-3 draw against the New York Red Bulls in their last match on September 16, Olsen emphasized the physical challenge that the three games in ten days posed for the team, and Rooney noted that the break would be beneficial to United.
“There is a task at hand and that’s to first rest a little bit,” Olsen said. “This has been a grind for these guys. They put a lot of games in over this stretch, and it took a lot out of them.”
“I think for the lads, we’ve had a lot of games recently, so I think the break will do us well,” Rooney added. “Get in a few days rest, get some good training and we’ll have a full week to prepare for the Montreal game.”
The D.C. United attack has showed they are able to perform under pressure, but an extra week of rest and a home crowd behind them is sure to add to their firepower during the weekend's big showdown. With a variety of goalscorers producing week after week, and the Rooney-Acosta partnership continuing to flourish, United’s attacking game will attempt to out-fire Montreal's lineup come Saturday night.
