Atlanta United faces D.C. United in battle of desperate sides

Two scuffling Eastern Conference rivals each will try to end a three-match losing streak when Atlanta United visits D.C. United on Saturday night.

A single point separates D.C. (4-10-6, 18 points) and Atlanta (4-10-5, 17 points) in the standings, and both clubs are well below the playoff line. The two teams are each among the league leaders in goals allowed (D.C. 39, Atlanta 37), while D.C. United's 17 goals is tied for the second-lowest total in MLS.

With over half of the schedule complete, time is running out for these clubs to turn things around.

"Every game is a must win," Atlanta defender Efrain Morales said. "D.C ... are struggling a little bit now, but that doesn't mean much in MLS in the sense that any team can beat any team. You just need to take it with a full head of steam."

Emmanuel Latte Lath leads Atlanta with five goals, though the striker is mired in a 12-match scoring drought.

Atlanta United are 6-1-1 in their last eight regular-season meetings with D.C. United, which includes an unbeaten 3-0-1 mark in away matches. The Five Stripes will need to call on that history to overcome their recent road woes, as Atlanta is the only Eastern Conference club that has yet to record an away win this season (0-7-2).

Beyond the home-field advantage, D.C. United may be aided by several players returning from international duty and the injured list. The key name is star forward Christian Benteke, who missed six matches with an ankle injury before playing 28 substitute minutes in D.C. United's 1-0 loss to Nashville SC last Saturday.

"(Benteke is) our leading goal scorer still with six goals, and he's played in (13 of 20 regular-season) matches this year," D.C. coach Troy Lesesne said. "So I think that says everything. And also just his demeanor in the locker room: He gives confidence to other guys."

Joao Peglow (groin) and Jackson Hopkins (hip) also returned to action in the Nashville match and should be available again Saturday. D.C. midfielder Gabriel Pirani will miss the match due to a one-game suspension for violent conduct during the game against Nashville.

--Field Level Media