A familiar foe stands in the way of NYCFC’s third MLS win of 2017…
Only four weeks will have passed since our last meeting with Ben Olsen’s men in our Home Opener at Yankee Stadium.
It was there Patrick Vieira’s men accumulated their first three points of the campaign, but what have our Washington rivals been up to since our last clash?
Key Stats
- D.C. United had lost four of their previous six matches against NYCFC in MLS play, including a 4-0 defeat in the Bronx earlier this year.
- D.C.’s 2-0 win against Philadelphia last weekend snapped a three-game scoreless streak to open the season. They had closed the 2016 regular season with goals in 17 consecutive matches (2.2 goals per game average).
- Following their 2-1 win over San Jose last weekend, NYCFC have won seven of their last 14 regular season matches (3D-4L) and have averaged 2.1 goals per game along that run.
- D.C. United has conceded six goals to David Villa since the start of the 2015 regular season. There are seven instances of an MLS player scoring six or more goals against the same MLS team since the start of the 2015 season, and two have come against D.C. United (Sebastian Giovinco also has six goals against United).
- Tommy McNamara scored the winner against San Jose last weekend, snapping a six-game scoreless streak. He now has 11 goals in 54 MLS appearances.
- NYCFC has scored five goals in the first half, tied for the third-most by any MLS team. D.C. United has allowed four first half goals, tied for the second-most in MLS.
- D.C. United scored twice last week after being shut out in their first three games this season. Dating back to 2016, D.C. has scored multiple goals in 11 of their last 14 games (including playoffs).
- NYCFC forward David Villa has scored six goals in six appearances against D.C., tied for his most goals scored against any MLS opponent.
- D.C. midfielder Marcelo Sarvas enters this weekend with 14 interceptions, tied for the third-most in MLS.
- Eleven players have won at least 11 tackles in MLS play this season. Two of them (Alexander Ring - 14, Ronald Matarrita - 11) play for NYCFC.
The Last Time
NYCFC 4-0 DC United
It was a Home Opener to remember for NYCFC when DC visited Yankee Stadium last month as David Villa scored twice in a 4-0 victory.
Maxi Moralez also got on the scoreboard, as well as Rodney Wallace as Vieira’s men swept DC away with a thrilling show of attacking strength.
Last Game
DC United picked up their first three points of the season at RFK Stadium last time out with a 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Union.
Goals from Jose Ortiz and Luciano Acosta secured the win.
Recent Form
That was DC’s first win of the season… previous to that, DC had lost to NYCFC and Columbus Crew and tied with Sporting KC.
