Washington, D.C. – D.C. United is undefeated in four straight and welcomes the expansion Montreal Impact to RFK Stadium on Wednesday with an opportunity to post consecutive wins for the first time since 2009.
United's last back-to-back wins were against Red Bull New York and the Chicago Fire that season, but a road win over the New England Revolution last week has Ben Olsen's club in position to snap the long skid.
Forward Josh Wolff was not worried about the lack of consecutive wins, but did admit it would be nice to end the streak.
"I don't think we are going into (the match) saying we've got to break this streak, but it would be nice to get two in a row just so you guys would stop making a story out of it," Wolff said on United's website.
Since opening the season with a 1-0 defeat to Sporting Kansas City - which is perfect through six matches this season - and a 3-1 setback at the Los Angeles Galaxy, United has earned eight of a possible 12 points.
The unbeaten streak started with a 0-0 draw at Vancouver Whitecaps FC, a much- improved side in its second season, was followed by a 4-1 win over FC Dallas, and continued with another 0-0 draw, this one against Seattle Sounders FC.
Although New England tied Vancouver for the worst record in MLS last year, the road points were huge for United. D.C. has accumulated four road points so far this season, but has to also get results at home.
United (2-2-2) quietly sits behind Sporting and New York in third place in the Eastern Conference, and has shown it could just be a factor in the postseason race.
United used goals from Maicon Santos and Chris Pontius to rally from an early 1-0 deficit for a 2-1 win over New England. Pontius scored the winner in the 82nd minute.
Olsen, in his second full season in charge, admitted United probably would not have secured three points against the Revolution last year.
"Last year we probably find a way to lose that game and I'm seeing some signs of this team figuring out ways to be winners," Olsen said.
Second-year midfielder Perry Kitchen was pleased with the result as well, but acknowledged results need to follow at home for a side that has struggled in front of its home fans.
"We're not doing bad but we've got to keep it going," Kitchen said, "because last year we struggled with road wins and home wins too so we just have to stay sharp and move onto the next one."
Montreal (1-4-1) has secured four points through its first six matches, but it wasted a chance to secure its first road win - or point - over the weekend.
Bernardo Corradi converted a penalty kick to give Montreal a lead after half, but the Impact allowed two goals after the 75th minute in a 2-1 defeat against FC Dallas.
Still, with a home win against Toronto FC and a draw against the Chicago Fire, Jess Marsch has guided his club to a decent debut to date.
"It's a work in progress. We're a new team with different players. We have quality players. We just need to settle down and focus and get the job done," Marsch said. "I think we are improving every game and we just need to improve a few things and we'll be okay."