DC United vs New York City FC Prediction, Preview and Odds -4/17/21
DC United finished 13th in the Eastern Conference in 2020 at 5-12-6 on 21 points with a -16 goal difference. DC did not qualify for the MLS postseason. In 2021, DC United begins with a new manager for the first time in a decade. Argentine Hernan Losada is taking over the helm and becomes the youngest active manager in the MLS after joining the club from Belgium’s Beerschot. Losada enjoys up-tempo attacking from his club and that should bring new and much-needed excitement to DC United.
New York City FC completed its 2020 season fifth in the Eastern Conference at 12-3-8 on 39 points with a +12 goal difference. NYCFC was eliminated by Orlando City 1-1 in the first round of the postseason and was knocked out of the Concacaf Champions League in the quarterfinals by Tigres 5-0. NYCFC will have Ronny Deila as the manager for his second campaign in 2021 and the club has had several changes to the roster over the offseason. Ronald Matarrita and Alex Ring are no longer with NYCFC, but no significant big name has been added to replace them.
New manager and key acquisitions bring hope to DC United
During the offseason DC United not only added a new manager, but three significant additions to the roster. Nigel Robertha signed from the Top Flight league in Bulgaria where he scored 20 goals and added eight assists during 39 matches last season for PFC Levski Sofia. Jovanny Bolivar is another attacker who arrives on-loan from Deportivo La Guaira. The Venezuelan, who is just 19, will add speed and skill to the DC United attack. Brendan Hines-Ike is a center back from the US who spent the last five years in Europe, most recently in Belgium with KV Kortrijk and is very familiar to Losada who managed in Belgium.
No big names were lost by DC United during the off-season and the top returning players from last year include Edison Flores who last season between injuries and the covid-19 played very little but is expected to be a starting striker or play on the wing. Julian Gressel also had a below-par debut with the club in 2020 but the right wing-back was a big part of Atlanta while playing there before DC United last season. Steven Birhnaum will miss action for the first two months of the season but the centre-back will anchor DC United's backline when he is healthy.
New faces dot the NYCFC Roster
During the off-season New York City FC added Malte Amundsen. The youth International from Denmark was the first edition for New York City FC during the offseason. Amundsen, who plays left back, has played for Veljie and Rosenborg and will be a big addition to the club's defense. Chris Gloster, who is also a left-back, is a youth International from the US who was signed from PSV after playing a couple of seasons in Europe. Gloster attended the Red Bulls Academy prior to leaving in 2018 for Germany.
Maximiliano Moralez highlights the returning players for NYCFC. The veteran, who is 34, is one of the most important players for the club but last season was limited to just eight starts due to injuries but is expected to make contributions early and often. Anton Tinnerholm is one of the best full-backs in the MLS and his remarkable and consistent presence will make the NYCFC defense one of the toughest in the MLS. Andres Jasson is an exciting new young player for NYCFC and the US midfielder is expected to see action early on a club that has very few senior additions.
Full game pick
DC United +300
Pick Analysis:
With the addition of new Argentine manager Hernan Losada and acquisitions Robertha, Bolivar and Hines-Ike, DC United will begin a new era and return excitement to the nation's capital. The new attacking up-tempo style of Losada will make Edison Flores’s presence in midfield even more important for DC United and will pressure the NYCFC backline early and often. DC United has suffered three losses with two draws over the last five matches against NYCFC, but that changes in the nation's capital on Saturday, as DC United picks up a victory and gives new manager Losada his first win with the club.
Full game total prediction: Your Over/Under prediction
Under 2.5 +110
Full game total prediction analysis:
The back line for both DC United and New York City FC have been strengthened during the off-season and NYCFC did not make any new additions to its attack therefore goal-scoring will be below par in this first outing of the season for both
