Atlanta's protection of the next receiver is the central issue against Chicago's linked attack. In Washington, the return meeting puts D.C.'s direct entries against Cincinnati's already-used central defence. Both matches require a distinction between sustained territory and the quality of the chances it produces.
Chicago can use Lewandowski's first contact to bring Haile-Selassie and the wide attackers into the next action. Atlanta recently allowed connected forward chances against Miami, while Chicago's replacement centre-back pairing restricted New England to five shots. Elliott and the other reported Chicago absentees also missed that previous squad, so this is an observed defensive arrangement. With Saletros and D'Avilla supplying and collecting the next ball, I'm siding with Chicago, with a level finish covered by the attached selection.
D.C.'s recent meeting with Cincinnati produced a useful contrast: Peglow found Nono behind the line, but six attempts were blocked and the second-half chase generated little chance quality. Smith, Hagglund and Hadebe were already playing together without the absent centre-backs. Malacia is a fresh loss after starting that meeting, removing a demonstrated passing and crossing option; Ramirez already played its second half.
D.C. should continue seeking duels and direct entries, with Cincinnati using Evander and its forwards after recoveries. The evidence points toward individual breakthroughs rather than an uninterrupted exchange of clear chances. I'm siding with a more contained goal count in D.C. United versus Cincinnati.
