5 Reasons Why DC United Will Win the 2014 MLS Cup

To win the Cup, you have to get there and playing in the Eastern Conference gives you a bit of an advantage. The East has been inconsistent and will be wide open going into the playoffs. DCU has been the best team in the Eastern standings for most of the year. They just have to play as they have most of the year to make a deep run in the playoffs.

Chris Pontius has been a leader off the field as he rehabbed from serious injuries. Now he is back on the field to provide leadership and a calm that this team will need moving forward. His return came in the middle of their roughest travel schedule with other injuries hampering the team. He adds versatility to the attack and came back in time to regain full fitness by the playoffs.

Luis Silve scored two goals against Chicago and has popped up in just the right areas many times this season. He takes a back seat to Fabian Espindola and Eddie Johnson when people talk about the DCU attack, but has shown that he can shoulder the load when both of those players are unavailable. Silva has received his most minutes of play in his career this season and made it count with 10 goals.

DCU is seventh in goals scored in all of MLS this season. However, they are 17th in shots on target. They are meticulous in their attack at times, but when they do have a chance to go at goal, they make it count. When it seems like they may be down and out, all it takes is one chance.

Bill Hamid has been one of the best keepers in the league this season and still not many are talking about him. Of the regular starters in the league, he has the best save percentage at 74 percent. He is tied for second in the league in shutouts with eight. Some of the acrobatic, last-ditch saves Hamid has made this year have shown his great athleticism. DCU will be confident with Hamid in net.