Troy Lesesne was delighted to see DC United rewarded for their fight and togetherness in the US Open Cup but now wants to see them deliver again against the New York Red Bulls.
This has been a difficult MLS season so far for DC, who are without a goal in their past three league games, yet a midweek penalty shoot-out win over Charlotte FC provided a highlight.
DC twice came from behind to draw 3-3, before substitute goalkeeper Jordan Farr sensationally saved four penalties to send his side through in the shoot-out.
Lesesne felt the display epitomised his team’s character and hopes similar performances in the league can deliver further results, starting against the Red Bulls.
“We’ve had some times where we’ve been in good form and we’ve felt some confidence off that, then we’ve had times where we’ve lost four matches in a row and we’ve been down,” he said.
“But the group never stops fighting and never stops staying together. I think that’s because we have so many good individual characters in the locker room. It’s a pleasure to work with these guys every day.
“They deserve more results like [Charlotte], so we have to keep performing in that way to achieve results like that. I want to enjoy [Charlotte] and then quickly turn to Red Bull at home this weekend.”
The Red Bulls come into this match in similarly high spirits after a similar cup triumph.
They also fell behind twice against FC Dallas, with Emil Forsberg’s stoppage-time equaliser forcing penalties, where the Red Bulls likewise prevailed.
Midfielder Daniel Edelman said: “Super excited that we were able to come out with the win. [The late equaliser] is just cup magic right there
“Emil doing what he does and then the whole group just staying together. It shows a lot about our character.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
DC United – Luis Barraza
DC started the Charlotte game with Kim Jun-hong in goal, replacing him with Farr, and yet Barraza has been their first choice keeper in the league, showing their depth between the posts.
And while DC’s attack is struggling in MLS, a defence marshalled by Barraza has thrived in recent matches. They have kept consecutive clean sheets in the MLS regular season for the first time since 2023.
New York Red Bulls – Raheem Edwards
Lesesne lauded DC’s fight in midweek, but the Red Bulls have some tenacity of their own in the form of Edwards. He won 14 duels against New York City FC last time out.
It is more than a year since a Red Bulls player won more duels in a match, and Edwards will need to be at his busy best again against DC.
MATCH PREDICTION: RED BULLS WIN
These two teams have played one another already this season, with DC winning 2-1 at the Red Bulls last month.
However, prior to that match, DC had been winless in eight games against the Red Bulls in all competitions, losing six of those.
And while they were able to celebrate a road win, their home form in MLS is miserable.
DC have won only three of their past 19 regular season home games, providing some encouragement for a Red Bulls team with only one win in nine away from home.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
DC United – 32.4%
Draw – 25.5%
New York Red Bulls – 42.1%
