DC United will be looking to consolidate their place in the MLS playoffs when they host Nashville SC at Audi Field on Saturday evening.
The hosts are eighth in the Eastern Conference after a solid but unspectacular start, while the visitors are up in third place, and they will be hoping to close the gap on top-of-the-table New England Revolution.
Match preview
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DC United finished bottom of the Eastern Conference last season, so it is fair to say they have displayed signs of improvement at the start of this campaign, having acquired 14 points from 11 games.
That said, the Black & Red have played one extra game than most of the teams around them, so it is likely they will need to win on Saturday to keep their place inside the top 10.
Wayne Rooney's side got off to a rocky start at Audi Field, winning just one of their opening four home games, but they now look far more solid, winning their last two games on their own patch without conceding a goal.
After picking up impressive wins away from home against Orlando City and CF Montreal, however, DC United's form on their travels has started to tail off in recent weeks, losing their last two on the spin.
Last time out, the Black & Red were knocked out of the US Open Cup after a 1-0 defeat against New York Red Bulls, failing to register a shot on target in the entire match, which will be a big worry for Rooney heading into a game against a fantastic defensive side.
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Indeed, Nashville have been very impressive at the back so far this season, conceding just six goals in the MLS, the fewest of any side in either the Eastern or Western Conference.
In fact, the Music have kept clean sheets in three of their last four matches in all competitions, most recently defeating Dallas 2-0 in the US Open Cup, limiting their opponents to just one shot on target in the whole match.
Fafa Picault and Alex Muyl scored to secure progression for Gary Smith's side in the cup, but they have been equally impressive in the league as of late, winning their last four matches in all competitions.
As a result, Nashville are now just six points behind league-leaders New England Revolution, and they will be hoping to close the gap by winning their fifth game on the spin, against opponents they have a fantastic record against.
The Music have won three and drawn one of their last four matches against Saturday's opponents, most recently winning 3-1 in a trip to Audi Field last June, with Daniel Lovitz opening the scoring and Hany Mukhtar netting a brace.
Team News
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After both managers rotated considerably for the US Open Cup during the week, they are likely to bring a number of first-team players back into the fold, with Taxiarchis Fountas set to return for DC United.
The Greek striker has scored in his last three games, and he is likely to partner Christian Benteke in attack for the Black & Red, with Rooney set to implement a 3-5-2 system.
Nick DePuy is a long-term absentee for Nashville, with the centre-back still yet to start since arriving at the club in the off-season, so Josh Bauer should partner Lukas Macnaughton in defence.
Mukhtar was rested against Dallas last time out, but the attacking midfielder should return for the Music, considering he scored a hat-trick in his last match, with Randall Leal dropping to the bench.
DC United possible starting lineup:
Miller; Palsson, Pines, Williams; Ruan, Klich, Canouse, O'Brien, Greene; Fountas, Benteke
Nashville SC possible starting lineup:
Willis; Moore, McNaughton, Maher, Lovitz; McCarty, Godoy, Muyi, Mukhtar; Shaffelburg, Bunbury
We say: DC United 0-2 Nashville SC
DC United are definitely a much-improved side this season, but recent form has been disappointing, losing their last two matches, the most recent of which against a NY Red Bulls side that are bottom of the Eastern Conference.
As such, we expect Nashville SC to continue their impressive form and chalk up another victory, while they are also likely to keep a clean sheet in the process given their fantastic defensive record.
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