The well-rested Colorado Rapids are hoping to take advantage of a D.C. United team that is in the midst of a busy stretch.
The Rapids play for the first time in 10 days when they visit United in the lone 2012 matchup between these teams Wednesday night.
Colorado (5-5-0) has been off since ending a four-game road skid with a 2-0 victory over FC Dallas on May 6. That completed a stretch of three games in nine days for the Rapids.
Now it's D.C. (5-4-3) that is playing the middle contest of three in eight days after falling 1-0 at Houston on Saturday. Colorado is counting on making fatigue a factor Wednesday.
"We know they played in a big emotional game on Saturday against Houston in the new stadium and had to travel back," defender Drew Moor told the Rapids' official website. "We're definitely going to look to take advantage of that, and we've had a little time off now."
D.C. was outplayed thoroughly Wednesday, getting outshot 20-4 overall and 10-1 in shots on goal.
"We just have to put this behind us and move forward," forward Dwayne De Rosario said.
United will have to make a change after defensive midfielder Perry Kitchen was lost to a knee injury in the 28th minute. It appears Kitchen will miss both matches this week.
D.C. is also unsure when Dejan Jakovic will be available again. The defender continues to nurse an ankle sprain that has kept him out of the last six games.
De Rosario, the reigning league MVP, has failed to register a goal or assist in the last two games after amassing two goals and four assists over his previous three.
The Rapids have recorded a win and a draw in their last two visits to RFK Stadium, where they went 0-7-4 in their previous 11. They lost the MLS Cup to United there in 1997.
"Obviously D.C.'s always a tough place to go and get points," said Moor, who scored Colorado's goal in last year's 1-all draw at United. "They have a very good history and tradition there at RFK."
Omar Cummings, Jamie Castrillon and Kamani Hill each have three goals in 2012 to lead Colorado.
The biggest surprise among that trio is the journeyman Hill, who could earn a starting role after playing sparingly in recent years in Germany and Portugal.
"Not having played so much throughout his career, Kamani has that special drive that makes him want to play," coach Oscar Pareja said. "I love that as a coach. He's working really hard and we're really happy with him."
Hill faces competition for a starting slot from Conor Casey, the Rapids' all-time leading goal scorer whose last two games have marked his first action since he suffered a ruptured Achilles' in July.
The Rapids remain without captain Pablo Mastroeni, out with concussion-like symptoms.
