D.C. United and Minnesota United square off in the nation’s capital in the only MLS game scheduled for Wednesday.

This is an important games for both teams as they are making a late postseason push. A win by D.C. United (8-11-7, 31 points) puts them closer to the 6th place Montreal Impact with a full match still to be played. On the other hand, the Minnesota United (9-15-2 with 29 points) will need a near perfect finish to overcome a 12 point deficit from the playoff line. However small the chance, Minnesota will take it though.

A Revitalized D.C. United

The arrival of Wayne Rooney and the opening of their brand new Audi Stadium has revitalized the D.C. United team. The team from the U.S. capital struggled early on as they played most of their matches on hostile ground until their riverfront stadium was opened last July. Since the move to their new stadium, D.C. United is 6-2-0 at home and they have earned 20 points in 12 matches overall after the switch.

In July, D.C. United also completed a blockbuster transfer that saw former Manchester United and England star Wayne Rooney going to Washington. Since his arrival, Rooney has lived up to his billing with four goals and six assists in 12 games played for the red-and-black.

Aside from Rooney, the Loons must be wary about midfielder Luciano Acosta, who leads D.C. United with 10 assists. DCU is also boosted by the return of midfielder Paul Arriola who returned early after taking part in the US men’s national team camp. With forward Darren Mattocks also returning after fulfilling his international duties, D.C. United looks to keep their hot streak at their new home.

Quintero Healthy Again

While the red-and-black have a good one going at home, the bad news for the Loons is that they are winless in their last five outings and they have only gotten four out of a possible 39 points outside their home stadium. The good news for Minnesota is that forward Darwin Quintero should be healthy again after missing two games with a leg injury.

After a long 18 day break since they last took the field, Minnesota head coach Adrian Heath expects that Quintero will be fully healthy on Wednesday. Similarly, Heath thinks that their long rest has given new signees Fernando Bob and Angelo Rodriguez to full jell with the team.

But with defenders Francisco Calvo and Michael Boxall unable to play due to suspension and Eric Miller still recuperating from injury, Minnesota United’s backline could feature three new faces and will surely be put to the test against Rooney and company who have scored 17 goals in 8 games since moving to their new home.

Who Wins?

These side have met once before on July 30, 2017 and it was Minnesota United who came out victorious to the tune of 4-0. D.C. That win is tied for the largest margin of victory in Minnesota’s franchise history. D.C. is the second most successful franchise with 4 MLS titles, just one behind the L.A. Galaxy’s 5. However, they have not appeared in the Finals since 2004.

United has gone 4-2-1 in their last seven games with two wins and a draw in their last five outings while Minnesota is just 2-4-1 over the same period but winless in their last five games. D.C.United is 7-1-2 at home while the Minnesota United is just 1-1-11 on the road.

What Else To Bet on This Game?

Without their leading scorer, Minnesota United has been blanked in their last two games. And while Darwin Quintero may be ready to go here, we don’t know his exact condition. Likewise, Minnesota’s backfield may be compromised with the suspensions/injury and against an offensive machine led by Wayne Rooney, it could get ugly. The spread for this match has been set at 1:

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