DC United vs Minnesota United FC | 2018 MLS Match Preview

D.C. United vs. Minnesota United FC 2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 29 Audi Field — Washington D.C. Sept. 12 — 7:30 pm ET WATCH: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN (Canada)

Fresh off claiming four points against Eastern Conference powerhouses in consecutive games, shorthanded D.C. United take on Minnesota United FC on short rest Wednesday night in the first of seven straight games at Audi Field.

After beating Atlanta United at home, United earned a 1-1 draw against New York City FC Saturday at Yankee Stadium to move within five points of the playoff line in the East, while the Loons return from a weekend off trying to snap a five-match winless streak.

This is just the second all-time meeting, with Minnesota United prevailing, 4-0, at TCF Bank Stadium last July. Christian Ramirez, Abu Danladi and Miguel Ibarra scored for the Loons, to go along with a Jared Jeffrey own goal.

D.C. United

Only able to field 15 players due to international duty and injuries, D.C. United (8-11-7) were able to grind out a 1-1 draw against NYCFC on a rainy Saturday afternoon in the Bronx and were unlucky not to come away with their second road win of the year.

Steve Birnbaum beat Sean Johnson to a looping Wayne Rooney free kick and put the visitors in front on 58 minutes. Its a lead that held up until the 86th minute, when David Villa leveled on a well-struck free kick.

“The soccer part wasn't great, so on these days, can you find something out of it through grit and work gradient that's the stuff that's missing,” Ben Olsen said. “Thats what I asked and that's what they gave me, so I'm very proud of the group.”

Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left) GK: Bill Hamid — Kevin Ellis, Kofi Opare, Steve Birnbaum, Joseph Mora — Russell Canouse, Ulises Segura — Paul Arriola, Luciano Acosta, Darren Mattocks — Wayne Rooney

Minnesota United

Minnesota United (9-15-2) used a 17-day break between games as a chance to get players healthy and better acclimate newcomers on the training ground.

“It is a really good time for maybe five or six of the guys,” Adrian Heath said. “People have got little knocks and they cant quite get rid of them. This gives us an opportunity so we can get them into better physical condition for the D.C. game coming.”

Making his return from a three-month absence in a 2-0 loss at Sporting Kansas City on August 25 was Jerome Thiesson, who came off the bench for a 57-minute shift after Eric Miller was forced off injured.

“I have to gain game fitness,” Thiesson said. “That is definitely a part I have to work on. I am going to do everything in practice and they are going to work with me on extra stuff as well so I will be in full shape for a full 90 minutes.”

Projected Starting XI (3-4-1-2, right to left) GK: Bobby Shuttleworth — Wyatt Omsberg, Brent Kallman, Jerome Thiesson — Eric Miller, Fernando Bob, Collen Warner, Collin Martin— Ibson — Angelo Rodriguez, Darwin Quintero

Officials

Referee: Silviu Petrescu Assistant Referees: Kathryn Nesbitt, Gjovalin Bori 4th Official: Sorin Stoica VAR: Edvin Jurisevic