D.C. United next up for Union in tight race for Supporters' Shield

The Philadelphia Union will try to maintain their increasingly fragile Supporters' Shield lead when they visit a D.C. United side that is showing improvement under its new manager.

The Union (18-7-6, 60 points) enter the weekend with a two-point lead on East rival Cincinnati and a three-point edge over West leader San Diego. But the biggest threat to their Shield aspirations may be Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, which is five points back in third in the East, and has two matches in hand on that trio.

Under first-year coach Bradley Carnell, Philadelphia has achieved its success via a risk-taking, high-press philosophy that usually results in a high volume of chances at both ends.

But recent matches might suggest a Union side that is playing tight, having scored only three goals in their last four games across all competitions. Team leading goal-scorer Tai Baribo hasn't added to his MLS total of 16 goals since that run began.

Despite that, Carnell insisted the attitude within the dressing room remains proactive.

"The mood is, for sure playing for something to win and not trying to play to protect something to lose, you know what I mean? Which then creates a bit of freedom," Carnell said. "For us, it's about keeping true to who we are, as a team, as a squad, regardless of how many games are left, regardless of who's behind us."

D.C. United (5-16-10, 25 points) have long been eliminated from playoff contention. But last Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Inter Miami was their first in five matches since Swiss manager Rene Weiler took over as head coach.

This week, the club also announced Erkut Sogut as its new sporting director after serving as an outside consultant during Weiler's hiring process.

Even in the loss at Miami, D.C. gave a promising and resilient performance. Christian Benteke scored his team-leading ninth goal -- and first under Weiler -- to tie it at 1-1 early in the second half. Jacob Murrell's tally in second-half stoppage time gave Miami some final nervy moments.

"Giving up is no alternative," Weiler said. "So you have to try always to do the best after a bad situation as well. So when you are down, don't give up. Go forward. Think positive. And yeah, in general, they've made a big step forward in that case."

Philadelphia won the earlier meeting, 3-0, in Chester, Pa. on April 26.

--Field Level Media