MLS: D.C. United vs. Inter Miami preview

Major League Soccer is back in session for its 25th season, and a full slate of matches this weekend is led by original 96er D.C. United hosting Inter Miami CF, which is in its first MLS season, on Saturday.

Both teams are coming off close losses in their opening weekend and will look to get their first win of the season. Will D.C. United establish its dominance in front of a home crowd, or will Inter Miami get to record its first victory in club history?

D.C. United has been plagued by injuries

D.C. United entered with expectations to compete for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. However, the club has had early season injury issues, with the loss off Paul Arriola for the season with a knee injury, and Yamil Asad is not yet ready to go 90 minutes (though he appeared as a substitute last week).

Still, United should have a lot of firepower up front, with Julian Gressel serving balls to Ola Kamara, and Edison Flores slicing up defenses on the flank and in the middle. Bill Hamid is one of the league’s best goalkeepers, but the defense needs to be there to help out.

United was a bit shaky last week, but head coach Ben Olsen will want to make sure it controls possession in the middle and quickly snuffs out any challenges from Miami’s attackers. If the attacking midfielders and forwards can connect and provide some dangerous scoring opportunities, they should be successful against Miami.

Inter Miami's defense was shaky in its debut

Inter Miami got a baptism by fire last week against last year’s Supporters’ Shield winners, LAFC. However, Miami played confident in a 1-0 loss and overcame the fact it was severely outmatched to play a pretty good game.

Rodolfo Pizarro and Matías Pellegrini are the two designated players Miami hopes can lead the attack in the middle, and its first SuperDraft pick in club history, Robbie Robinson, is the lone striker up top.

Victor Ulloa and Wil Trapp are both seasoned MLS veterans, but where they ran into issues was how the defense handled a 4-3-3 attack, which D.C. United will also deploy. Miami’s key to success will be to be better against attacks from the flanks and to get its midfielders out running. Pizarro will need to be the leader up front, to create chances and show his world-class skills, for Miami to have a chance.

Prediction: D.C. United wins 2-1 (+825)

D.C. United will likely have better connections up front, with a week underneath them. Miami will put up a good fight and try to speed the game up to put D.C. on its toes. D.C.’s front three will combine for the two goals that will give the club the edge. United will win, 2-1, on a goal in the 80th minute.

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