In the wake of a three-game road swing that improved at every step (defeat, draw, victory), United sees an opportunity to gain traction with three consecutive home dates, starting Saturday against the Montreal Impact.

Asked early in the week about his team’s 26 percent grasp of possession during a 3-1 victory at Atlanta last Sunday — the lowest for a winning MLS team in seven years — Olsen used an expletive to describe his thoughts on such stats.

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He then added, “What concerns me is whether we pick up points.”

Many other numbers, though, continue to work against this team. United (3-3-2) has been blanked four times and recorded superior possession once in eight tries. It has claimed a better pass percentage once and placed a greater number of shots on target once. It entered the weekend tied for last in assists and 19th out of 22 teams in corner kicks.

D.C. has not scored in the first 15 minutes of any match (when the tone is set) or the last 15 (when points are secured).

And yet, with inferior stats and without several injured regulars, United is getting results.

Why?

“Pretty simple: goals,” Olsen said. “Not much else has changed, except our ability to finish plays off. Everything we looked at in the early days, we could’ve won those games. We weren’t efficient with the final pass or the shot. It just wasn’t there.”

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Two weeks ago at New England, United fell behind early but scored twice in the first half and hit the post or crossbar three times. Last weekend’s victory featured a dreadful start — Atlanta could’ve scored three times instead of once in the first 10 minutes — but a two-goal response before halftime altered the direction of a seemingly hopeless afternoon.

This is the virtually the same group that, for a few months late last season, was the most dangerous attacking team in the league.

“I don’t know if we have found that same form yet, but it’s nice that goals are going in,” midfielder Lloyd Sam said. “These next three home games we could find that form back.”

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Still, United is not keeping the ball with regularity and turning to goalkeeper Bill Hamid to bail it out.

“Last game, possession-wise, they killed us,” Sam added. “Last year, we were probably playing more flowing stuff.”

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While possession and rhythm have been deficient, United has grown more efficient on the counterattack and taken greater advantage of opportunities. Argentine playmaker Luciano Acosta, sidelined early in the season with an ankle injury, scored in consecutive matches last month and figured in the final two goals in Atlanta: on an assertive rush and clean finish in the first half, then an accurate through ball to Sebastien Le Toux shortly after intermission.

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In relief of injured striker Patrick Mullins, Le Toux has scored in each of his two starts. Mullins is back, but given his form, Le Toux seems certain to retain the starting job.

With production rising, United seems to have turned the corner.

Or not.

“I don’t think you ever turn the corner in this league,” Olsen said. “It’s week to week. You just keep chugging along and take each week to size up your opponent and give your team the best game plan to succeed. That’s the MLS.”

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United dodged a scare this week when the results of an MRI exam on Hamid’s groin showed no muscular damage. He is slated to start against Montreal. Defender Steve Birnbaum (concussion), defender-midfielder Nick DeLeon (hernia) and midfielder Patrick Nyarko (hamstring) remain out.

Montreal (1-3-4) has never won a regular season match at RFK Stadium (0-3-3), but in a first-round playoff last fall, the Impact roared to a four-goal lead and coasted to a 4-2 decision. A key figure this year and last, Italian forward Matteo Mancosu, suffered a thigh injury last week and will miss up to two months.

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Aside from Mancosu’s void in the lone-striker slot, Montreal must address defensive issues: five goals conceded in the past two matches, 14 overall and no shutouts.

“I’m concerned, I’m very concerned,” Impact Coach Mauro Biello said after last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat to Vancouver. “It’s my job to be concerned. It’s my job to find solutions.”

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In Argentine midfielder Ignacio Piatti, Montreal employs someone who could implement solutions. He posted 21 goals and eight assists in the regular season and playoffs last year. Olsen called him one of the best five players in MLS. Piatti and Mancosu combined for three goals and two assists in the playoff wipeout at RFK.

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“Montreal has been hot and cold, we’ve been cold and hot,” Olsen said. “As far as I’m concerned, they are always hot against us.”

United notes: Chris Korb, a veteran outside back who has recovered from recurring knee problems that sidelined him since August 2015, signed with the team this week. The first year is guaranteed, the second is a club-held option.

United had not exercised the option on his contract over the winter but allowed him to continue training. Korb, 29, started 96 regular season matches between 2011 and 2015. He has been assigned to the second-division Richmond Kickers for Saturday’s USL home match against FC Cincinnati. Alhaji Kamara is the other D.C. player with the Kickers this weekend. …

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Olsen turned 40 on Wednesday. He’s in his 20th season with the organization as a player or coach. “Man, half my life,” he said. … Referee: Robert Sibiga. … Game-time weather: 59 degrees, overcast, 13-mph wind.

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D.C. United vs. Montreal Impact

Where: RFK Stadium.

When: Saturday at 6 p.m.

TV: NewsChannel 8.

Records: United 3-3-2, 11 points; Impact 1-3-4, seven points.

D.C. probable starters: GK Bill Hamid; Ds Sean Franklin, Kofi Opare, Bobby Boswell, Taylor Kemp; MFs Lloyd Sam, Jared Jeffrey, Ian Harkes, Luciano Acosta, Lamar Neagle; F Sebastien Le Toux.