In five road games in his first MLS season, Wayne Rooney and D.C. United failed to pick up a win, drawing three of the games, and losing the other two. Rooney has said on multiple occasions that the team's form away from home had to improve, as the side made the playoffs last year despite winning just one game away from Washington D.C. United take to the road in week two of the 2019 season, hoping to improve their fortunes in Yankee Stadium against New York City FC on Sunday afternoon at 3 PM ET.

Four previous away games against NYCFC have resulted in just one point taken and an aggregate score of 11-4. The tight dimensions of Yankee Stadium are what defender Steve Birnbaum called a “defender’s nightmare”. Players are forced to make decisions much more quickly and dangerous situations can arise in a flash through lost 50/50 battles.

However, in three of the four games between the two clubs at Yankee Stadium, the Black-and-Red have scored first. Each time though, they have failed to hold onto their advantage, conceding late winners and an equalizer.

The Black-and-Red are fresh off an impressive 2-0 victory against the reigning MLS Cup champions Atlanta United, and will be looking to carry that momentum to produce another result against an Eastern Conference opponent. Meanwhile; NYCFC are on the back of an opening day 2-2 draw on the road against Orlando City and will be hoping to get off on the right foot in their home opener. 

The first season following the departure of world-class striker David Villa has everyone wondering where the goals are going to come from. City bring back most of the other contributors from last year, but Romanian international Alexandru Mitrita was the big offseason acquisition, brought in for on a rumored $9 million transfer fee. The two goals last week against Orlando both came from midfield, through a long-range Ebenezer Ofori strike, and a tidy Alexander Ring finish that was assisted by Mitrita.

With Villa and Jo Inge Berget gone and no suitable replacements brought in at striker, against Orlando, NYC head coach Dome Torrent used the diminutive Maxi Moralez as his number nine. Standing at 5-foot-3', the usual midfielder is an unlikely candidate for the striker position, but will present a different challenge to United's defenders if he lines up there once again.

Overall, it’s been a tight series between D.C. and New York City at four wins apiece and one stalemate. Last season’s two matches between the clubs resulted in a 1-1 draw in the Big Apple and a 3-1 win for the Black-and-Red in October at Audi Field.

Paul Arriola spoke to the importance of Sunday’s trip to the Bronx and the chance to make another statement early on in the season.

"When we play the Eastern Conference teams, those are our important matches," Arriola said during the week. "If we can go game by game, and have the mentality of each game we have to go out and win, I think we are in good shape.

Here is our expected D.C. United lineup for the second game of the season.

4-2-3-1: Bill Hamid, Joseph Mora, Steven Birnbaum, Frederic Brillant, Leonardo Jara, Junior Moreno, Russell Canouse, Lucas Rodríguez, Luciano Acosta, Paul Arriola, Wayne Rooney

Sunday’s kickoff is set for 3 PM ET and it is the first match streamed locally on FloFC.