The Major League Soccer season continues this week with some great fixtures between teams from across the United States.
The conference restrictions have been lifted and we have games between teams from both the Western and Eastern Conference to enjoy.
One such fixture is the meeting between FC Cincinnati and DC United on Friday 19th July at the Nippert Stadium. This is a hugely important match for both teams but for different reasons. FC Cincinnati are hoping to move off the bottom of the Western Conference while DC United are challenging at the top of the Eastern Conference.
FC Cincinnati come into this game having won each of their last two games in the MLS. They picked up a 3-2 home win over Houston Dynamo before beating Chicago Fire 2-1 on the road. That took their total win count for the season to five in twenty league matches but they are still bottom of the Western Conference.
However, trends show FC Cincinnati have won only three of their last sixteen MLS games and lost nine of their last twelve, hence their position in the Western Conference. They have suffered six defeats by 2 or more goals in their eight league matches and home form shows two wins from their last seven.
FC Cincinnati have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last seven home MLS games and have conceded 2 or more goals in five of those matches.
DC United will be hoping this is the game which sees them return to winning ways having failed to win their last three in Major League Soccer. In fact, trends show they have won just one of their last nine MLS matches and their form has taken a turn for the worse in recent weeks.
The only victory of DC United’s last nine MLS games came at home against Orlando City and they have failed to win any of their last five on the road. There have been defeats at Minnesota United, Houston Dynamo and Dallas plus draws at Toronto and New England.
Trends show DC United do not enjoy playing away from home and they have won just four of their last twenty-six away MLS matches. DC United have kept just one clean sheet in their last five away league games.
Team news and FC Cincinnati are without the injured Jimmy McLaughlin who is out for the season. Frankie Amaya is being assessed and their doubts over Fatai Alashe, Roland Lamah, Kenneth Hassan Saief and Greg Garza.
DC United travel with doubts over the fitness of Chris Odoi-Atsem and Oniel Fisher but could be close to full strength for this match.
FC Cincinnati are actually in better form than DC United at present but there is no doubt which of the two is the better team. This could be game which sees DC United return to winning ways, scoring a couple of goals in the process.