5-1-3 in last nine matches
D.C. United is 5-1-3 in its last nine matches, dropping only one contest, a shootout against the first place San Jose Earthquakes. The surging Black-and-Red has picked up 18 points during the stretch and puts them alone in second place in the Eastern Conference.
Last match v Houston recap
D.C. United takes on Houston Dynamo on 5/12 for the second of three matches in the 2012 campaign. The two clubs last played on 4/28, with the Black-and-Red besting the Dynamo, 3-2. United’s Maicon Santos and Houston’s Will Bruin each scored braces, while defending MLS MVP Dwayne De Rosario scored his first goal of the season, continuing to haunt his former teams.
Historically: D.C. United v Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo plays its first home match of the 2012 MLS season when the team welcomes D.C. United on 5/12, inaugurating the new BBVA Compass Stadium. The Orange hold a 7-4-2 series lead over the Black-and-Red, but D.C. United comes into the match having won the last match up, 3-2, on 4/28 at RFK Stadium.
De Rosario leading MLS in assists
Dwayne De Rosario is enjoying his role as playmaker and it shows on the stat sheets. With two more assists against San Jose in Wednesday’s 5-3 loss, De Rosario is now ranked number one in the league in assists (7), one ahead of Graham Zusi of Sporting KC. Through 10 matches in 2010 with Toronto and New York, DeRo had two goals and three assists. This year, he has two goals and seven assists.
Potent attack
Between the scoring machines of Maicon Santos (6 goals; fourth in the League) and Chris Pontius (5 goals; fifth in the League), and the distribution of Dwayne De Rosario (7 assists; first in the League), D.C. United’s attack has been potent as of late. The Black-and-Red lead the Eastern Conference in goals scored with 20 through 11 games, which doesn’t come as a surprise seeing that the team leads the League in shots with 160 through its first 11 games.
Salihi strikes: 2 goals in 40 minutes
Hamdi Salihi is on a hot streak, having scored two goals in each of United’s last two games. Salihi scored his first MLS goal in the 88th minute of the Black-and-Red’s 5-3 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes on 5/2. He notched his second goal three days and close to 3,000 miles later in United’s 2-0 win over Toronto FC. The Albania native played 40 minutes in those games combined, coming in as a substitute in both matches.
Offensive output: 2010, 2011, and 2012
D.C. United comes into Saturday’s game having scored 20 goals through 11 games. With one more tally, the club will match its 2010 goal total, when the team scored 21 goals in 30 games. At the moment, the Black-and-Red are on pace to beat the 2011 mark of 49 goals in 34 games. Forwards Maicon Santos and Chris Pontius lead United with a combined 11 goals and Dwayne De Rosario is leading the club and the League with seven assists.
Primed for the limelight
D.C. United has no problem playing on national television, winning big in their first two nationally televised contests this year. The Blackand-Red took it to FC Dallas 4-1 in a game on 3/30, presented by NBC Sports Network. Just over twenty days later, D.C. United routed the New York Red Bulls 4-1 as well on 4/22, in a game on ESPN2. The Black-and-Red are now 2-0 when on national television, scoring eight goals and only letting in two.
Pontius closing out teams
Chris Pontius is fast adjusting to his new position at forward, ranking fifth in the League in goals (5) second in the League with gamewinning goals (3). His game winners include: a 2-1 win over the New England Revolution on 4/14, a 4-1 win over the New York Red Bulls on 4/22 and a 2-0 win over Toronto FC on 5/5.
De Rosario’s two MLS Cups with Houston
Dwayne De Rosario played a significant role for the Dynamo during his stay in the Lone Star State (2006-2008). DeRo led the expansion team to the MLS Cup in 2006, and scored the fourth and decisive penalty kick in the final versus the New England Revolution to win the title. The midfielder continued his postseason success in 2007, leading Houston to its second consecutive MLS Cup. De Rosario scored the game-winning goal in the final and was named the MLS Cup MVP for the second time in his career.
Cruz led 2011 Dynamo playoff run
D.C. United midfielder Danny Cruz began his MLS career with the Houston Dynamo in 2009 and played there until he was signed by the Black-and-Red in January. He scored his first career MLS goal against D.C. United on May 22, 2010 and now has five goals and seven assists to his name through his short career. The 22-year-old started all four matches of the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs, including 90 minutes in the final against eventual-champion L.A. Galaxy.
Familiar faces
D.C. United midfielders Dwayne De Rosario and Danny Cruz, and assistant coach Pat Onstad had successful careers with Houston Dynamo. De Ro and Onstad led the club to two consecutive MLS Cups in 2006 and 2007 and will be prominently featured in the new BBVA Compass Stadium for their achievements and involvement with the club. Cruz began his MLS career with Houston, helping the team to the 2011 MLS Cup Finals.
Road warriors
D.C. United hopes to spoil the grand opening of BBVA Compass Stadium by continuing to do what they do best, score goals on the road. The Black-and-Red is currently ranked second in the League with eight goals on the road, with a 2-2-1 away record (trailing only San Jose with nine). In United’s last two road games, the team has buried an impressive five goals.
Hamid’s return to the lineup
Goalkeeper Bill Hamid returned to D.C. United’s starting XI on 5/5 for the first time since the home opener on 3/10 versus Sporting KC. Hamid left the team for Olympic duty with the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team prior to the Black-and-Red’s matchup with the LA Galaxy on 3/18. The 21-year-old Annandale, VA native recorded a shutout in United’s last game, a 2-0 victory over Toronto FC.