Rene Weiler’s transformation of D.C. United’s defense from slipshod to steely has been one of the top storylines in the opening weeks of the MLS season.
D.C. United’s suddenly formidable 11 will be tested Saturday in Washington when they take on offensive-minded FC Dallas.
After surrendering more goals (66) than any team in the Eastern Conference last season, D.C. (2-2-1, 7 points) has allowed just four tallies this year.
Weiler, who took over as manager in August of last season, arrived in D.C. with a reputation as a defensive-oriented tactician. After an offseason to install his program, his players have embraced his structured approach.
One key addition in the offseason was veteran keeper Sean Johnson, who has 16 saves.
“I think just the commitment and the mentality of the guys is what creates a good defensive group,” Johnson said.
The focus now for Weiler is improvement at the other end. D.C. has put up just four goals, including three by Tai Baribo.
“It’s easier to become more solid defensively than to carry out decisive attacking moves,” Weiler said. “We need more players that are able to score goals. It’s the most complicated sector, the third zone.”
FC Dallas (2-1-2, 8 points) bring a potent attack led by Petar Musa, who is second in the league in goals with six, with half coming in a 3-3 draw with San Diego FC.
In its last match before the international break, Dallas captured the Texas Derby, topping the Houston Dynamo 4-3 as Logan Farrington scored a brace in the first 14 minutes and Musa notched the game-winner in the 86th minute.
“They’re a highly organized team. They don’t give you much. They’re very stingy,” Dallas coach Eric Quill said of D.C. United. “We have to be smart in how we break them down and not give them transition moments.”
It will be the first match at Audi Field for D.C. since it opened the season with a 1-0 home win over the Philadelphia Union.
“I think we will get our chance to score goals,” Weiler said. “They play very direct. They play in the half of the opponent. I like it because you don’t create danger in front of your own goal.”
–Field Level Media
