D.C. United v New York City: Lesesne determined to keep hosts above the line

Troy Lesesne says everyone at D.C. United is focused on maintaining their position on the right side of the Eastern Conference playoff cut-off as they prepare to host New York City.

D.C. sit ninth in the East, occupying the final play-in spot with six games remaining of the regular season, one point clear of Atlanta United, who have a game in hand.

Lesesne's men have boosted their postseason hopes by putting together a strong run at an ideal time, winning four of their last five league games either side of the Leagues Cup break.

They beat the Chicago Fire 2-1 last time out with goals from Christian Benteke and Gabriel Pirani, leaving Lesesne to hail their resilience.

"You could just see everyone so committed to the three points and not letting that result slip away," Lesesne said. 

"That's the mentality we're going to need in the final six matches to stay in the position that we earned, which is to get above the playoff line. 

"That's a position that's good to be in, but it's a position we want to be in at the end of the season, not just with six games left."

New York, meanwhile, were beaten 4-2 by the Columbus Crew before the international break but remain in a strong position, sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference with a six-point cushion to the wild-card places.

Head coach Nick Cushing took plenty of positives from their most recent outing, saying: "We went to the most difficult place in MLS and dominated the majority of the game until the last five minutes.

"It's really frustrating because we created a lot of chances although we didn't take them, we dominated the ball, we dominated for long periods. 

"For me, coming here to the champions and the Leagues Cup holders, it was a top performance."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

D.C. United – Christian Benteke 

Benteke scored his 32nd regular-season goal since the start of last year in D.C.'s win at Chicago last time out. 

Only Raul Diaz Arce (38 in 1996-97) and Roy Lassiter (36 in 1998-99) have ever scored more in a two-season span for D.C. United.

New York City – Alonso Martinez 

Martinez has been involved in six of New York's 10 regular-season goals since the beginning of July (five goals, one assist). 

Dating back to May 31, Martinez has been involved in 11 of the club's 19 regular-season goals (eight goals, three assists).

MATCH PREDICTION – NEW YORK CITY WIN

D.C. and New York have alternated victories in each of their last five meetings, with NYCFC winning their last clash 2-0 on home soil on April 20. None of the last nine games between the sides have finished level.

D.C. have won four of their last five regular-season matches (one defeat) after only winning three of their previous 22 in league action (eight draws, 11 losses).

However, they could come unstuck here against an NYCFC team with just two defeats in their last eight road games (excluding penalty shoot-outs, one win, five draws).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

D.C. United – 32.4% 

New York City – 42.1%

Draw – 25.5%