Sunday marks D.C. United’s fifth trip to the Bronx, across the Harlem River and to Yankee Stadium to play New York City FC. The newer version of “The House That Ruth Built” has been home to so many horrors for the Black-and-Red since NYC joined the league in 2015, as D.C. is still looking for their first win in the Bronx. Four previous trips have resulted in just one point, as United have been outscored 11-4 in those games.

In three of those games, the Black-and-Red actually scored first. The only time they didn’t score was in 2017, when they were soundly beat 4-0 in the second game of the season. In September last year, United finally picked up their first point at Yankee Stadium, but had to settle for the draw after a late free-kick equalizer from David Villa.

Villa, who scored in all four of the games at Yankee Stadium previously, is no longer with the team. He wasn’t really replaced during the offseason, as NYC don’t currently have a natural striker on their roster. However, they did bring in Alexandru Mitriță in a transfer worth $9 million during the offseason, and the Romanian playmaker assisted on Alexander Ring’s goal last week in the 2-2 draw against Orlando City. 

Yankee Stadium, home to the New York Yankees, is notorious for the size of the field when the stadium is converted to host a soccer game. By far the smallest playing surface in the league, playing in the Bronx presents an unique challenge to any visiting side.

“Things happen very quickly on that field because of the size. You are just closer to everyone,” United head coach Ben Olsen told reporters earlier this week. “That becomes less time on the ball, becomes more 50/50s, you have to make decisions quick, you have to be an option quicker. You have to tweak a few things.”

What United have seemed to figure out, is how to get on the board first at Yankee Stadium. They did that in the first half through Alvaro Saborio back in 2015, before conceding three times in the second half in a 3-1 loss. The next year, it was Lloyd Sam who gave the Black-and-Red the first-half advantage. A bad turnover let David Villa equalize in the 79th minute, and Frank Lampard gave the hosts the lead several minutes later.

Lamar Neagle’s header in stoppage time seemed to earn the Black-and-Red a point, but there was still time for City to race down to the other end, with Lampard netting a dramatic winner to condemn United to their second loss at Yankee Stadium.

In 2017, it was not a contest between the Eastern Conference foes, as NYC led 3-0 on their way to a 4-0 romp. But in 2018, United once again took the lead at Yankee Stadium, with a free kick from Wayne Rooney headed home by Steven Birnbaum early in the second half. That was D.C.’s second and final shot of the game, but gave the depleted side, dealing with injuries and international absences, a lead they would almost hold onto. NYC’s attempts to equalize were almost all in vain, but Villa’s free kick in the 88th minute split the spoils.

“New York City is a tough place to play. I’ve never been there, but everyone talks about how good they are at home,” Paul Arriola told reporters on Tuesday, ahead of United’s visit to Yankee Stadium.

Arriola was one of the players absent from last year’s trip to the Bronx, having been away with the U.S. national team. Sunday will be his first taste of what Yankee Stadium has to offer, as United look to build upon last weekend’s 2-0 win over Atlanta United. 

“If we can get a win there, we’ll be off to a good start, and have a lot of confidence rolling forward,” added Arriola.