Frank Klopas and the Chicago Hearth might not have to fret about demotion from MLS, however he desires them to undertake a “relegation battle” mentality forward of Saturday’s go to to D.C. United.
The Hearth sit 14th within the Jap Convention standings after shedding 4 straight video games, with three of these defeats coming at dwelling together with final week’s 3-1 reverse towards the Columbus Crew.
Their present shedding run is their fifth streak or 4 or extra regular-season defeats for the reason that begin of 2021, although they haven’t misplaced 5 in a row in league play since 2018.
“The factor is attempting to simplify issues in follow, I feel that’s an important factor with groups going by way of a troublesome second,” Klopas stated.
“The psychological state of the crew is clearly down. I feel that’s anticipated while you don’t get outcomes, when performances usually are not going your method.
“Although there’s no relegation battle on this league, we now have to method each recreation proper now prefer it’s a relegation battle till we will get out of this case we’re in.”
D.C. are additionally seeking to reply after back-to-back losses to the New York Purple Bulls (1-4) and Inter Miami (0-1), with these outcomes leaving them ninth within the East.
Troy Lesesne’s crew have received reward for his or her counter-pressing method this 12 months, however he says they nonetheless have loads of room for enchancment when enjoying on the break.
“Regardless of who the opponent is, we need to be troublesome to play towards and to interrupt down, however we’re additionally doing that so we will create,” Lesesne stated.
“We’re prime within the league for anticipated targets on the counterattack, however we now have to finalise these conditions.
“We’re going to maintain engaged on that, hold gaining these moments and hold bettering.”
Prepping for Saturday pic.twitter.com/8dBKx7VGP9
— D.C. United (@dcunited) Might 23, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
D.C. United – Christian Benteke
Benteke has scored 11 of D.C.’s 20 targets this season, with no different team-mate netting greater than as soon as in MLS play.
D.C. United are one in all two MLS groups (additionally the Houston Dynamo) to solely have one participant with a number of targets this season.
Chicago Hearth – Carlos Teran
Teran scored the Hearth’s solely purpose towards the Crew final week and has now netted as soon as for them in every of the final 4 seasons, making him the one participant to attain in every of the final 4 campaigns for Chicago.
The Colombian defender is hardly a purpose machine, however Chicago will hope he can have an effect at each ends right here.
MATCH PREDICTION – D.C. UNITED WIN
Chicago’s tally of 10 factors by way of 14 matches in 2024 is their worst complete at this stage of a season in membership historical past.
Issues might not get any higher for them on Saturday towards a crew identified for using an lively method.
D.C. United recorded a 4-0 dwelling win over Chicago within the groups’ final assembly final September, and so they want to publish back-to-back victories over the Hearth for the primary time since a four-game successful run towards them between 2014 and 2016.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
D.C. United – 47.7%
Chicago Hearth – 26.6%
Draw – 25.7%
