D.C. United vs. Sporting Kansas City staff and reader predictions

Happy Mother’s Day! Shout out to all the moms out there doing their mom thing.

On this Mother’s Day, we’re all getting treated to a D.C. United game. The venue: Audi Field. The opponent: Sporting Kansas City. The result: TBD!

But that’s why we’re here to make some predictions.

Donald Wine II

Sporting looked really bad last weekend at home against Atlanta. Meanwhile, controversy aside, the Black-and-Red looked good at home. I think that trend continues on Sunday night. There will probably be some rain, but that won’t slow down the attack. Sporting gets one, but Wayne Rooney and Paul Arriola both get one as well, and it’s a 2-1 DCU victory.

Adam Taylor

I expect we’ll see a couple new (or “new”) faces from both teams Sunday as Marquinhos Pedroso should make his D.C. United debut at left back and Benny Feilhaber makes his return to the Sporks after his Great Short-Lived Colorado Adventure. Pedroso allows Ben Olsen to go back to the selective-pressing 4231 we saw dismantle Atlanta and RSL early in the year, and we see some glimpses of that earlier form. The Black-and-Red make it pay off late in the first half as Paul Arriola forces an attacking-third turnover and finds Wayne Rooney, who lays it off for Lucho Acosta’s second goal in as many games. After the break, Sporting find the equalizer, but los Capitalinos answer quickly off yet another set piece, Rooney finding Steven Birnbaum at the back post to set up a Lucas Rodriguez winner. 2-1 good guys.

Ryan Keefer

There’s the very real chance (not real) that assistant coach Kerry Zavagnin suits up the for the Sporks. You want to talk about roster things? Sporting Kansas City have nine players on the roster listed as defenders, five of them are listed on their injury report, three of them are out. Matt Besler and Graham Zusi are questionable and if I’m D.C. I’m sharpening my teeth for this; Rooney goal in the 32nd minute, Lucas Rodriguez firms it up in the 56th, and D.C. starts their seven games in 21 day stretch off nicely with a 2-1 win, despite Johnny Russell’s best efforts.

Jason Anderson

KC hasn’t held an opponent to less than two goals in over a month, and have given up 11 goals in their last three games. Injuries and mental fatigue are the main issue, and United seems like a good bet to take full advantage. Luciano Acosta gets two assists in this one: first, setting up a Wayne Rooney strike inside of 15 minutes, and a second for Paul Arriola just before halftime. The Sporks will still pull one back via Johnny Russell early in the second half, but United will get right back in charge as Rooney strikes again, this time with Lucas Rodriguez orchestrating. From there, United will see the game out and even find time to spurn some chances for a fourth. 3-1 DCU.

BlasianSays

I’m a little concerned about this match because it seems like it should be a win on paper. Kansas City is struggling, and D.C. United is tied atop the Eastern Conference on 20 points. How bad is Kansas City right now? They’re one point behind the Red Bulls. I do think United win, but it won’t be a stroll. A Krisztian Nemeth goal is bracketed by a pair of Wayne Rooney strikes, and DCU holds on for a 2-1 win.

Leanne Elston

I’ll shake things up here and say that DCU will keep SKC from scoring in this one. I think the visitors’ winless streak continues too, of course, because the good guys will score two. Arriola strikes in the first half, while Rodriguez tidies things up in the second and we get a nice 2-0 in the rain.

What do you think will happen in tonight’s game? Share in the comments!