Normally, two teams at the bottom of an MLS conference by this time in September have a broadly similar pattern of results. Instead, D.C. United enters tonight’s game on a three-game winning streak and has shown signs of real progress. Orlando City, as a contrast, doesn’t even have three wins since the start of May. A win would get the Black-and-Red out of last place for the first time in months, and with a little help elsewhere, United could end the weekend within 5 points of a playoff spot.
Key player: Zoltan Stieber
A couple of weeks ago, United fans finally got a look at the Hungarian attacking midfielder who chose the Black-and-Red over mooted interest from the Netherlands, and Stieber made a great first impression.