Needing every point possible in its playoff push, D.C. United may be facing an ideal opponent when it visits the Chicago Fire on Friday night.D.C. is undefeated in its last eight matches against the Fire (five wins, three draws), and only three weeks ago demolished a 10-man Chicago side 6-2 at RFK Stadium.United (7-9-12, 33 points) enters the weekend in eighth place, but only one point out of the sixth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Ninth-place Chicago (6-13-8, 26 points) is eight out.I would assume there is a narrative going around Chicago of getting back at us, D.C. coach Ben Olsen told The Washington Post. They are a desperate team, but we better be a desperate team at this point in the season.D.C. is 2-1-5 in its last eight matches, pulling off a dramatic 2-2 draw at the New York Red Bulls Sunday on very late goals from Steve Birnbaum and Lamar Neagle.Former Chicago winger Patrick Nyarko has scored against his former club in each of D.C.s two previous matches against the Fire this season. He joined D.C. last winter.While an away draw would help D.C.s postseason aims, Chicago needs wins with only seven matches remaining, especially at their home Toyota Park.The Fire could be boosted by David Accams return to the starting lineup. After the Ghanaian missed a match on international duty, his insertion in the second half of a 2-1 home loss to Toronto FC nearly sparked a two-goal comeback against the Eastern Conference leaders.Chicago has won twice in its last five matches after securing just four victories in its first 22.Still a lot of optimism because I think we did great today, Chicago coach Veljko Paunovic told mlssoccer.com after the loss to Toronto. When we look back where we were at the start of the season and where we are now we can see that the team has improved way, way better. Jordan Bernstine Jersey Retro . After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p. Curtis DeLoatch Jersey Retro . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. https://www.cheapjerseyslines.com/alfonso-boone-jersey-retro/ . Most important, perhaps, it went off without a hitch. Organizers poked a little fun at the now-infamous opening ceremony gaffe that saw only four out of five snowflakes open up into rings, leaving the Olympics logo one ring short. Shawne Merriman Jersey Retro . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. Randy Coffield Jersey Retro . -- There were a lot of firsts for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night.Niki Lauda has told Sky Sports News HQ he wants Nico Rosbergs Mercedes future sorted in the next three weeks. Rosberg has been with the world champions since 2010 but his current deal expires at the end of this season, with reports in Italy linking him with a high-profile switch to rivals Ferrari.Both driver and team have been insistent that they would like things to stay as they are, however, and Mercedes non-executive chairman Lauda wants the situation cleared up soon. Im sure we want to keep Nico, and Nico wants to stay, Lauda told Sky Sports News HQs Craig Slater at the Monaco GP. I dont see any issues at all and this will be fixed very soon.Monaco GP P2: Ricciardo faster than HamiltonWe have to decide it in the next three weeks. This is my point of view, to let him know that we all stick together for the next couple of years.This is my suggestion, but Im only the chairman. Toto [Wolff] will handle it and Ill watch it. Nico Rosberg refused to answer questions on whether he had spoken to Lewis Hamilton since their coming together in Spain Mercedes confirmed a new three-year deal for Hamilton at last years race in the principality, but team boss Toto Wolff told SSNHQ on Wednesday there would be no such announcement regarding Rosbergs future this weekend.But Wolff, who has been quoted in the foreign media talking up Fernando Alonso as a possible replacement, was eager to downplay the possibility of Rosberg, thhe current championship leader, leaving.ddddddddddddThe F1 Gossip ColumnWe are having talks and we are just finding out what we want, what each others objectives are, and this is a regular process, the teams principal said.I would not be surprised [if he was approached by Ferrari]. Hes a great driver, hes a good asset for everybody. I dont know if it happened, but if it happened thats pretty normal. Sky Italias Antonio Boselli discusses the rumours on the possible Nico Rosberg move to Ferrari But would the long-running feud between himself and Hamilton affect the decision, especially after their crash at the Spanish GP?Absolutely not, Wolff added. Hes been part of the Mercedes family since the journey began in 2010, hes the current championship leader, has won seven races in a row, nobody ever doubts in his capabilities.Rosberg has four wins to his name this season but was off the pace on the first day of running in Monaco, trailing Lewis Hamilton in both sessions.Watch the Monaco GP live on Sky Sports F1. The race starts at 1pm on Sunday, with build-up underway at 11.30am. Or watch the race without a contract for £6.99 on NOW TV. Also See: Ricciardo faster than Hamilton Hamilton & Rosberg hold talks Whens the Monaco GP on Sky? Nico: Lewis relations unchanged ' ' '