Second place at stake for United

D.C. United will try to extend its three-game MLS winning streak tonight when it plays the New York Red Bulls for second place in the Eastern Conference at RFK Stadium.

The Red Bulls (10-7-3, 33 points) led by former United coach Bruce Arena are coming off a stunning 5-4 win Saturday over David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy before nearly 67,000 at Giants Stadium.

United (10-6-3, 33 points) will face New York’s attacking duo of veteran Juan Pablo Angel and rising star Jozy Altidore, who combined to score four goals against the Galaxy.

When you give those guys space like L.A. did, they are going to hurt you, United coach Tom Soehn said. I don’t think we will give them that freedom.

Angel, who played for Aston Villa in the English Premier League before signing with the Red Bulls for $1.5 million, has scored 12 goals in 14 games this season. Altidore played well alongside Freddy Adu at the recent FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Canada. After his two goals against the Galaxy, the 17-year-old was named the MLS Player of the Week. He has seven goals this season.

They have a couple of pieces that need to be taken care of, and in their case, it’s no surprise it’s their two forwards Angel and Altidore, United midfielder Ben Olsen said. If given the right time and space, they are great players, and we’ve got to make sure we don’t give them the space and time like L.A. gave them. We have to play a smarter game than L.A. did and play more compact.

To combat New York’s defense, United has its own powerful weapon in Luciano Emilio, who leads the league with 14 goals and seems to have formed a productive striking partnership with fellow Brazilian Fred.

The Red Bulls also have veteran midfielder Clint Mathis, who has revived his career since rejoining New York and now has six goals on the year his most since 2003.

Our midfield is going to shut [Mathis] down early and not let him get many touches on the ball in the midfield. Otherwise he will expose us in the back, United defender Bryan Namoff said.

Meanwhile, United striker Jaime Moreno has another chance to make history. The Bolivian’s next goal his 109th will make him the league’s all-time scorer.

United will have to play without midfielder Josh Gros, who suffered a concussion in the game against Columbus after getting hit in the head with a ball early in the game. Gros, a four-year starter, also suffered a concussion in April.

With a head injury, you have to take your time and make sure we are not setting him up to come back too early, Soehn said. Josh will predict that.

After tonight’s match, United begins a three-game road stretch.

Getting the win at home is vital to put us in a comfort zone before heading out on the road, Namoff said.