Below Troy Lesesne, D.C. United has gotten off to a very good begin to the season, however they’re up in opposition to their hardest check to this point in Inter Miami. Whereas Lionel Messi will not be obtainable for the Herons, this can nonetheless be a problem for an improved D.C. United aspect that hasn’t misplaced a recreation but this season. After successful their opening match, D.C. drew their subsequent two as aim scoring has been arduous to return by.
A part of the rationale for that’s that after scoring a hat trick for D.C. United on the opening day of the season, striker Christian Benteke has been absent as a result of a thigh damage. Again in coaching, he must be set to make his return to the squad this weekend which will probably be fairly a lift for a D.C. group that has lacked an id. Below Lesesne, the groundwork is being laid for achievement, however they want a goal man within the center to make it occur. Dealing with Miami with out Messi will probably be a lift to D.C.’s assault.
Since Messi’s debut on July 22, 2023, the Herons solely common 1.5 targets per recreation whereas conceding two targets per recreation when Messi does not begin. Solely Leonardo Campana and Messi himself have scored two or extra targets when the Argentine is not within the first XI. That is compared to Miami scoring 2.7 targets per recreation with Messi and solely conceding one aim per recreation in his 16 begins. Messi has 21 aim contributions in video games that he begins, and it is clear, and clearly unsurprising, that the Herons are a lot worse off with out him.
The hope is that Luis Suarez will assist fill a few of that inventive void. The Herons have been unstoppable when each Messi and Suarez began, however since that possible will not be the case in D.C., that is when this might develop into an fascinating conflict. Solely the Vancouver Whitecaps have conceded extra targets from set performs for the reason that begin of final season than Miami’s 17. Solely three of these set play targets have been conceded throughout the Messi period, however two of these three have been in opposition to CF Montreal the place the Herons suffered their first defeat of the season.
D.C. United have scored 11 targets from set performs for the reason that starting of final season, which is a high 10 determine within the league and Benteke himself has netted 4 of these. Including his aerial talents with the wonderful supply from Mateusz Klich will create hazard for the Herons, particularly on condition that they commit 13.25 fouls per 90 minutes within the Messi period, which is the seventh-highest determine within the league. D.C. are additionally up there, committing 13.64 fouls per 90 minutes, however with out Messi, Miami’s set play hazard decreases.
Ted Ku-Dipietro will miss the match lowering a few of Benteke’s provide, however with gamers like Jackson Hopkins and Pedro Santos greater than able to getting crosses in from the left aspect, D.C. may have no points getting the ball to the Belgian within the center. A distinct fashion of group, this will probably be fairly a problem for Tata Martino and Miami to navigate. Adjusting to challenges with out Messi are moments that present Miami’s endurance, and to this point within the Messi-era, it is not one thing that they have been capable of overcome.
The Herons may have their newest possibilities to show that issues are completely different Saturday within the District, however with a purpose to make that occur, confronting their Achilles heel from lifeless ball conditions will probably be important.