D.C. United boss Troy Lesesne believes teen Jacob Murrell can propel his staff again into the playoffs after the frustration of lacking out final 12 months.
Murrell was the hero of their final MLS encounter, scoring a shocking overhead kick within the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time to earn a 2-2 draw with the Chicago Fireplace.
The 20-year-old has began the season with a aim and an help in his two MLS appearances, after beginning simply six video games within the league final marketing campaign.
And Lesesne believes that Murrell has all the proper substances to assist complement his facet’s assault, spearheaded by final 12 months’s high scorer, Christian Benteke.
“I attempt to be actually trustworthy with [the players] and don’t anticipate them to agree with it many occasions,” Lesesne stated.
“In Jacob’s case, you may say he most likely disagrees deep down. And that’s a superb factor, you realize? I imply, that’s the competitor in him.
“He’s the kind of individual that’s absolutely dedicated to serving to us change the momentum and get D.C. United stepping into the proper path.
“He made that actually clear to the staff. That’s a part of his intent for 2025. And when he places that intent on the market, now you’re seeing him again it up with motion.”
JACOB MURRELL. WHAT A FREAKING GOAL. pic.twitter.com/ReH2pi3flC
— D.C. United (@dcunited) March 2, 2025
Sporting Kansas Metropolis, in the meantime, are one in every of solely three sides within the Western Convention but to register a victory from their opening two video games of the brand new marketing campaign.
Following their 1-0 loss of their season-opener to Austin FC, Peter Vermes’ facet opened their house marketing campaign with a 2-1 defeat to a rejuvenated San Jose Earthquakes.
“After we needed to make our adjustments, I believe we misplaced somewhat little bit of rhythm,” Vermes, the longest-tenured coach in MLS, stated when requested in regards to the gruelling schedule.
“I wouldn’t say we didn’t have one other gear. I simply assume that it was arduous to interrupt them down, and we’re simply early within the season.”
Within the sport, Vermes was pressured into making three adjustments halfway by way of their defeat to San Jose, with Jake Davis approaching to impress at right-back.
Davis has performed at right-back for every of the membership’s first 4 video games this season, but it surely’s not the place Vermes prefers to play him, with midfield one other place he’s robust in.
In 12 video games as a midfielder, Davis recorded a aim and 4 assists. Within the 13 video games throughout all competitions in 2024 that Sporting received final season, the 23-year-old performed within the centre of the pitch in 5 of these victories.
“I believe should you simply play a conservative sport, you don’t get the reward for the chance. He’s a man that takes it upon himself to show a 40/60 ball right into a 100% sort out that he wins,” Vermes stated.
“These are the sorts of dangers that you really want and might absorb that a part of the sphere. I believe he feels much more comfy there.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
D.C. United – Jacob Murrell
Murrell’s equalising aim within the 96th minute final outing was the seventh result-changing aim D.C. United has scored within the fifth minute of stoppage time or later for the reason that begin of the 2020 season, greater than some other MLS staff in that point.
Regardless of solely approaching within the 61st minute, the American registered two pictures, a complete solely bettered by Benteke (eight), and he will probably be eager to make the same impression from the beginning.
Kansas Metropolis – Dejan Joveljic
Joveljic scored from the penalty spot in his first MLS begin for Kansas since his blockbuster transfer from the LA Galaxy through the offseason.
Relationship again to final marketing campaign’s playoffs with the Galaxy, he has scored seven targets in his final six MLS begins, together with scoring in every of the final 4 (common season & playoffs).
Not the end result we wished, however we’ll maintain preventing and dealing arduous.
Glad to attain my first aim for #SportingKC.
Thanks on your nice help! pic.twitter.com/oYSIR58jIU
— Dejan Joveljić (@JoveljicDejan) March 2, 2025
MATCH PREDICTION: D.C. UNITED WIN
D.C. are unbeaten in six straight house matches towards Kansas Metropolis (W2 D4), although this would be the first assembly between the perimeters in D.C. since Might 2019. Sporting’s final away win over United was a 1-0 victory in March 2012.
They’ve, nevertheless, received solely one in every of their final 13 regular-season house matches, courting again to the start of Might 2024 (D6 L6). Each different staff that performed in MLS final marketing campaign has not less than three house wins in regular-season play in that point.
Sporting, in the meantime, have misplaced 9 straight matches in all competitions, the longest outright shedding streak in membership historical past (excluding breakaway shoot-out losses). Solely 4 groups in MLS historical past have misplaced 10 consecutive video games in all competitions, most not too long ago Toronto FC in 2023.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
D.C. United – 47.3%
Draw – 26.2%
Kansas Metropolis – 26.5%