United’s unbeaten streak
Defense the difference
The Black-and-Red is riding an unbeaten streak that is now at six games (3-0-3, 12pts.), the longest active streak in Major League Soccer, and the club hopes to extend it tonight with a win or tie. During the early season streak, the club’s longest since early 2009, D.C. United has scored 11 while only letting in four. A win or tie will put the Black-and-Red alone throughout the League with the longest active unbeaten streak, while tying Sporting KC’s early season 7-0 start.
The strides United has made on defense this year have perhaps flown under the radar, but the improvements over last year are drastic. Through eight games in 2011, United had given up 19 goals. This year, that number has been drastically cut to eight. The numbers are more impressive when one considers Ben Olsen has had to use numerous combinations across the back four in the team’s eight matches.
Shooting spree
D.C. United welcomes Houston Dynamo to the District for the teams’ first matchup of the 2012 campaign. The Dynamo hold a 3-7-2 advantage in the all-time series record, but the Black-and-Red hold a 3-2-1 home record at RFK Stadium. The clubs played each other twice in 2011: Houston won, 4-1, on April 29 at Robertson Stadium, and the teams tied, 2-2, on June 25 at RFK.
Part of the early offensive success for D.C. United is the fact that the squad’s 116 shots ranks second in the League, trailing only the first place and League best Sporting KC (129). The Black-and-Red is averaging nearly 15 shots per contest, and that means goals – United has 12 on the season, trailing only New York (17) and San Jose (13).
DeRo targets former teams
Dwayne De Rosario likes to make his former clubs hurt, having scored nine goals against former teams in his MLS career. DeRo has scored four goals against his first MLS club, the San Jose Earthquakes, notching two separate braces with both D.C. United (7/30/11) and Toronto FC (5/9/10). With the Reds, the midfielder scored a goal against the Houston Dynamo on 7/18/09. In his first season with D.C. United, De Rosario scored against each of his former teams in the second half of last year, en route to the 2011 MLS MVP award – he tallied the match-winning goal against the Red Bulls on 7/9/11, a brace against the Earthquakes on 7/30/11 and a hat trick against Toronto FC on 8/6/11.
Next four games against DeRo’s former teams
United striker Dwayne De Rosario has an impressive record when playing against former teams. Over the course of his career, the striker has netted nine against former teams in his MLS career. United’s next four games are against DeRo’s former teams.
DC to open Houston’s new stadium in two weeks
Following tonight’s matchup, the first of three with the well-traveled Dynamo club, attention will be turned to San Jose for the Black-andRed, but the two sides meet again in two weeks time, on May 12 for the inaugural match at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.
DeLeon closing in on club history
The club record for most League goals scored during a rookie season is five, achieved by Santino Quaranta (2001), Freddy Adu (2004) and Andy Najar (2010). D.C. United’s first-round pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, Nick DeLeon, is closing in on that record quickly – netting three through his first seven games played for the Black-and-Red.
Saragosa’s return
Two weeks ago while in New England, D.C. United midfielder Marcelo Saragosa left the team to join his family in Brazil to mourn his fathers death. Saragosa returned to Washington on Tuesday and trained with the team on Wednesday and will be available for selection tonight.
United vs Houston, historically
DeRo as maestro
Dwayne DeRosario’s teams have lost only 1 of the last 36 games where he recorded an assist (24–1–11). The streak has been running since May of 2005. DeRo is also sitting at third in the League with four assists, just one less than Henry and two less than Zusi.
De Rosario’s two MLS Cups with Houston
Dwayne De Rosario, a crucial member of all his MLS teams, played a significant role for the Dynamo in his time in Texas. 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.
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. Cruz began his MLS career with Houston, helping the team to the 2011 MLS Cup Finals.
Cruz played major role in 2011 Dynamo playoff run
D.C. United midfielder Danny Cruz began his MLS career with the Houston Dynamo in 2009 and played there until last season. He scored his first career MLS goal against D.C. United on May 22, 2010, but now the tables have turned as Cruz has played a crucial piece of Head Coach Ben Olsen’s puzzle. 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.
Pontius wins Player of the Week
Midfielder/forward Chris Pontius was unanimously selected by the North American Soccer Reporters as Major League Soccer Player of the Week. Pontius is the first player in five years of voting by the North American Soccer Reporters to be a two-time unanimous selection. Pontius earns the honor after his first career hat-trick against Eastern Conference rivals, the New York Red Bulls.