D.C. United vs. Orlando City SC staff and reader predictions

A fair bit has happened since last we met to discuss D.C. United’s next game. Bill Hamid is back, for one thing. And there’s a new face at left back in Vytautas Andriuškevičius (thankfully, you can shorten that to Vytas). And, somehow, the playoffs still aren’t completely off the table for the Black-and-Red. Oh, and it might rain and metro is in one hell of a sorry state.

Phew. Let’s predict what’s gonna happen tomorrow against Orlando City.

Donald Wine II

We’re back home at Audi Field, and I think the team realizes this is a must and should win if they want to get back into the playoff race. The team struggles on a night that starts with a lightning delay (because Jason hasn’t been in enough weather delays this season), but they punch through in the 35th minute with a Yamil Asad goal. Wayne Rooney makes it two in the second half and while one gets let in (own goal), it’s a 2-1 victory for the Black-and-Red.

Adam Taylor

D.C. United get things started early with Paul Arriola and Lucho Acosta forcing a mistake by Lions defenders in possession and setting up Wayne Rooney’s opener. Los Capitalinos double the advantage midway through the first half as Yamil Asad adds to his team-leading season tally. Orlando pulls one back just before the break, Dom Dwyer punishing an unforced error at the back, because that’s who United are this year. The Black-and-Red come out flying after halftime, finally regaining the insurance goal around the hour mark through another goal from Rooney. The game fizzles from there, and United finally get a W against Orlando this year, 3-1.

Ryan Keefer

I figure Asad gets a goal and Rooney gets two, one off a FK in this one. Frankly Orlando is just not a good team at this point and they’ll be missing Yoshi Yotun and possibly Sacha Kljestan. Maybe they start Josue Colman and Uri Rosell to help mitigate this, but the backline for them remains problematic. 3-2 D.C. because D.C.’s defense is also bad.

Ben Bromley

D.C. United are settling in for a long homestand, and Orlando City will be the first victim of that comfort. With a new coach trying to put his mark on things, the Lions won’t have enough to stop United and the good guys will take a 2-1 victory, even if Bill Hamid doesn’t start this one.

Jason Anderson

Two teams that can attack and can’t defend make for some fun times, right? Are we allowed to have fun?

This time, yes we are. Orlando will be without their two best midfielders, and that’s where United will seize control of this game. Expect a fast start to this one, with Wayne Rooney opening the scoring early on an assist from Lucho Acosta inside of 15 minutes. Orlando will threaten sporadically through Dom Dwyer, but most of the traffic will be at the other end, where Paul Arriola will give D.C. an important second goal just before halftime (Rooney gets the assist on this one). Orlando will get one back through Chris Mueller because of a defensive slip-up, but Yamil Asad will restore the two-goal lead very quickly on a similar Orlando defensive debacle. That goal will take the wind out of Orlando’s sails. 3-1 United.

(please no delay please no delay please no delay)

BlasianSays

The last seven Orlando games have featured 32 combined goals, which is more than four goals per game. The only times Orlando conceded fewer than three goals over that stretch were home matches: a 2-1 win over Toronto, and a 2-0 loss to NYCFC. Unfortunately for them, this game is at Audi Field. Asad, Rooney, and Stieber score for D.C., and Dom Dwyer makes it interesting with his second of two goals coming after the 85th minute, but United holds on for a 3-2 win.

Leanne Elston

Bring on the goals. We’re getting some for sure, and the good news is DCU will get more than Orlando. Rooney, Asad, and Acosta all get on the board for the home side, and although the visitors make things a bit nervy by bagging two of their own, it ends 3-2 for the good guys. It’ll be a fun one, folks.

What’s your prediction for tomorrow’s game? Share it in the comments, and take a stop by the silly poll first.