Our prediction for this MLS match:
Cincinnati continue where they left last term. The Orange and Blue suffered a massive 5-0 loss to Austin in the opening match of the season, with the team experiencing all sorts of problems at the back. Similar to last season, Cincinnati do not seem to be competitive at this level, but maybe it is still early for us to start drawing conclusions. John Nelson continues to miss out with injury, while Gustavo Vallecilla is a major doubt, and he will be assessed ahead of the kick-off.
The capital club, on the other hand, aim to build on a thrilling 3-0 win over newcomers Charlotte. DC United are more of a team than Cincinnati, and we predict that the visitors are going to prove their worth on the field. A man to watch in the away side will be Michael Estrada, who scored a brace in the season opener, while Nigel Robertha is sidelined with injury.
Highlighted Player (Haris Medunjanin):
After spending four seasons at AZ Alkmaar, Haris Medunjanin joined Spanish side Valladolid and he appeared in 42 league games for Pucela. The Bosnian midfielder played for the likes of Sparta Rotterdam, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Gaziantepspor in the past as well and in 2014 he returned to Spain, signing a contract with La Liga side Deportivo La Coruna.
Medunjanin scored two goals in 24 league appearances for the Galician outfit and in 2016 he joined his former club Maccabi Tel Aviv on a one-and-a-half-year deal. The left-footed footballer, who was born on March 8, 1985 won two European Championship titles with Netherlands U-21 team (2006, 2007), but he decided to represent Bosnian and Herzegovina on senior level.
He made his first start for the Balkan Dragons in a 1-0 loss to Portugal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup play-off match. Haris Medunjanin currently plays for Philadelphia Union and his contract with the MLS club expires on January 31, 2017.
Highlighted Team (DC United):
D.C. United have been participating in the Eastern Conference of the MLS since 1996. The capital club play their home games at RFK Stadium Washington and they are nicknamed the Black and Red. D.C. United won their fourth MLS Cup in 2004 and in 1998 the club clinched the Copa Interamericana trophy by beating Vasco da Gama of Brazil in the title game.
The Black and Red won the Eastern Conference on five occasions (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004) and, as a result, they are regarded as one of the most successful clubs in the history of MLS.
Andy Najar, Eddie Pope, Jaime Moreno, John Harkes, Ryan Nelsen, Christian Gomez, Nick Rimando, Richie Williams, Clyde Simms, Tony Sanneh, Marco Etcheverry and Santino Quaranta are some of the club’s most famous players. Speaking of D.C. United fans, the club has four big supporters groups: La Norte, La Barra Brava, the Screaming Eagles and La Norte and the club’s mascot is Talon, the bald eagle.