Ahead of Wednesday’s MLS game against his former team, Lamar Neagle had been hoping his new teammate would return a favor. In April, Neagle took a short corner kick that generated Patrick Nyarko’s equalizer in D.C. United’s 1-1 draw against Chicago. The goal was especially sweet for Nyarko, who was facing his old team for the first time since spending eight seasons with the Fire.  United returns home after a two-match road stretch Wednesday night to take on the Seattle Sounders, where Neagle plied his trade for the better part of five seasons. But if the trusty winger is to find the score sheet against his old club, he’ll need to do it without Nyarko, who will miss his second straight game due to a concussion suffered in United’s 1-0 loss to Philadelphia.  “I was giving him a hard time because I [helped him out] against his team and he’s out for mine,” Neagle said. “But it’s always something special when you get to play against one of your old teams, so I’m glad he got the goal, and hopefully I do the same.”  Neagle, 29, spent three stints with his hometown Sounders. The Tacoma, Wash., native enjoyed a productive 2014 season that featured nine goals in 27 starts, but he notched only four goals in a rocky 2015 campaign during which his playing time slipped as Seattle advanced to the Western Conference semifinals.  United Coach Ben Olsen has helped revitalize Neagle’s career in D.C. The versatile midfielder has started all 13 games so far this season, tallying two goals and three assists while showcasing the speed that makes him a consistent threat on the flanks.  [For D.C. United’s Lamar Neagle, the time has come]  “I could see that our plans were kind of different for me in Seattle, so coming to D.C. where I’m in the plans and playing a lot, it’s great,” Neagle said. “It’s kind of a time to reinvent yourself and create something new so I can redefine myself. I’m kind of an older guy here, so I can try to show the younger guys the way.”  Neagle can only muster so much nostalgia for a slumping Seattle team that currently sits second-to-last in the Western Conference standings. Losers of three straight, the Sounders (4-7-1) have scored just 11 goals in 12 outings, and they have yet to win away from home.  United (4-5-4), meanwhile, rides into Wednesday’s game on a wave of momentum created by its newest signing. Alhaji Kamara lifted the wayworn visitors to their first road win of the season last Friday at Kansas City, smashing his first MLS touch into the net 33 seconds after replacing Neagle in the 86th minute. It was the fastest goal ever scored in an MLS debut.  “Here’s a guy who was questioning whether or not he would ever play the game that he loves again,” Olsen said. “So I think it was a big moment just for him to get back out there. To cap it off with a goal, I think it’s just a great night, a night I won’t forget for a long time.”  Kamara’s timely contribution won’t alter United’s plan to ease him onto the field. Olsen confirmed Monday that the 22-year-old forward, whose career was put on hold this winter by a heart condition, isn’t ready to go a full 45 minutes and will remain an option as a late substitute on Wednesday.  [European doctors wouldn’t let him play soccer anymore. U.S. specialists had a different opinion.]  “One minute, 90 minutes, it doesn’t matter. I’m here to contribute for the team,” Kamara said. “I think any minute I get from the coach I will appreciate it.”  “I’m working up slowly. I think it will come,” Kamara said. “Especially for me, I work really hard, and I just think it’s about the confidence because if you have the confidence I don’t think the fitness matters.”  United will play its second game without center back Steve Birnbaum and forward Alvaro Saborio, who are preparing for this weekend’s Copa America Centenario openers with the U.S. and Costa Rican national teams, respectively. Bill Hamid, on the other hand, will get his second start of the season in goal after recording his 39th career shutout last week.  Seattle will miss Clint Dempsey (USA) and Nelson Valdez (Paraguay) to Copa duties but bring Jordan Morris, a surprise omission from U.S. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s Copa roster. The rookie forward has gone three straight games without scoring after four straight games with a goal.  United hasn’t defeated Seattle since 2011, but the opportunity to end that streak looks ripe ahead of a two-week Copa America layoff.  “It’s important to step on teams, frankly, when they’re in this situation,” Olsen said. “We can’t let them smell anything early. We’ve got to have the right mentality. We’re at home. There’s no excuses.”  [Everything you need to know about Copa America Centenario]  D.C. United vs. Seattle Sounders  When: Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.  Records: United 4-5-4, 16 points; Sounders 4-7-1, 13.  D.C. probable starters: GK Bill Hamid; Ds Sean Franklin, Bobby Boswell, Kofi Opare, Taylor Kemp; Lamar Neagle, Marcelo Sarvas, Nick DeLeon, Rob Vincent; Luciano Acosta, Fabian Espindola.  Seattle probable starters: GK Stefan Frei; Ds Dylan Remick, Brad Evans, Zach Scott, Oniel Fisher; Cristian Roldan, Osvaldo Alonso, Joevin Jones, Aaron Kovar; Darwin Jones, Jordan Morris.
The winger is hoping for a goal in his first game against his hometown team, which he played on for three seasons.