D.C. United, FC Cincinnati begin pivotal two-match set

For the last several weeks, playoff spots have been there for the taking for D.C. United and FC Cincinnati. Neither team has seized the opportunity.

Now, the two struggling sides have a chance to stake their claim as they face each other twice in a span of four days.

The first match comes Wednesday when D.C. United (7-10-12, 33 points) visit Cincinnati (9-11-9, 36 points) in the makeup of a game that was postponed because of pitch conditions created by severe weather on Sept. 5.

D.C. United and FC Cincinnati are in a logjam of six teams that occupy eighth through 13th place in the Eastern Conference table. All six are separated by just three points as they pursue the wild-card berths that go to the eighth- and ninth-place teams.

Amplifying the frustration of both teams has been their inability to emerge from the pack. D.C. United have just two wins in their last 12 matches, going 2-5-5 over that span. Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati have won just one of their last nine, going 1-5-3.

"We're just not good enough to get results," Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan said. "We just have to keep pushing and not feel sorry for ourselves and see if we can turn our fortunes around."

FC Cincinnati's exasperation may have peaked on Sunday when they fell to the Columbus Crew 2-0 despite outshooting the visitors 24-4. The Crew scored on both their shots on target, while Cincinnati failed to tally on eight shots on frame.

Cincinnati counts on Kevin Denkey (17 goals, five assists) and Evander (13 goals, team-high 13 assists) to fuel its offense, which has scored the fourth-most goals in the East with 60.

D.C. United look to rebound from a 4-1 loss Saturday at Orlando City. Tai Baribo scored his 16th goal, but the Lions overwhelmed D.C. United with their attacking style.

D.C. will get a similar challenge against Cincinnati on Wednesday and Saturday. It will welcome back standout defender Lucas Bartlett, whose absence because of a red-card suspension was apparent against Orlando.

"With the result after that first game, it could be special to play against them three days later," D.C. coach Rene Weiler said. "Now we have, first of all, to play the first game and have some insights. Then we'll see what we have to do with the return game."