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DC United
Major League Soccer
Jul 4, 2024 at 12.30am UK
Audi Field
FC Cincinnati

DC United
2 - 3
Cincinnati

Rodriguez (24'), Pirani (69')
Santos (14'), McVey (80')
FT(HT: 1-2)
Kelsy (10'), Bucha (39', 63')
Kelsy (50'), Kubo (82')

Preview: DC United vs. FC Cincinnati - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Major League Soccer clash between DC United and FC Cincinnati, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

DC United are set to host FC Cincinnati at Audi Field on Wednesday in an Eastern Conference MLS clash that could be pivotal for the away side's Supporters Shield ambitions.

The home side are 13th in their conference with 20 points, while the visitors are second with 42, just two from Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference and the overall Supporters Shield table.


Match preview

FC Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson (12) celebrates scoring on March 3, 2024© Reuters

The hosts will naturally be disappointed with their campaign so far considering that after 21 games they are third last in their conference and are on track to accumulate roughly 32 points.

Last season, DC United finished 12th with a points total of 40, and while this was not a good return, the fact they have regressed will be of serious concern to manager Troy Lesesne.

Having said that, Lesesne will at least be relieved that his side are just four points from ninth-placed Atlanta United, who occupy the conference's final MLS Cup playoff spot.

However, given that DC United have lost six of their last nine MLS matches and have failed to win any in that period, it would be a surprise to see them close this gap over their remaining 13 games.

The Eagles' home MLS form is also poor, and they have failed to win any of their last six matches at Audi Field, including a 4-1 loss last time out against Houston Dynamo on June 23.

DC United head coach Troy Lesesne speaks at his introductory press conference at Audi Field on January 11, 2024© Reuters

To add to this, DC United have conceded 39 times, and this is the division's second-worst defensive record.

It should be noted that Lesesne has only been in charge since January and inherited a difficult situation from previous manager Wayne Rooney, who parted with the club at the end of the 2023 campaign after United failed to qualify for the playoffs for a second straight season.

Meanwhile, opponent manager Pat Noonan will be significantly happier with his side's campaign so far given they are currently second in the Eastern Conference and are just two points behind Lionel Messi's Inter Miami with a game in hand.

Noonan has been in charge since November 2021 and guided the club to their first ever trophy in MLS, winning the 2023 Supporters Shield before losing the MLS Cup final against Columbus Crew.

Under his leadership this season, the Orange and Blue are currently averaging 2.1 points per game, and this is not only more than their Supporters Shield winning campaign but is also their highest ever figure since their debut season in MLS in 2019.

FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan points on May 10, 2023© Reuters

It should be noted, however, that having scored 33 goals and conceded 23, they are not yet on track to beat the offensive and defensive records they achieved last season.

As for their form, despite losing two of their last five matches, Cincinnati come into the game with plenty of momentum, having won 10 of their last 12 MLS fixtures including most recently against FC Dallas on Sunday.

Additionally, their away form is particularly impressive considering they have won their last six MLS matches on the road and 11 of their previous 13.

One interesting thing to note is that all but three of Cincinnati's 20 MLS matches this campaign were decided by a single goal or ended in a draw.

DC United Major League Soccer form:

FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer form:


Team News

DC United midfielder Pedro Santos (7) receives a red card on March 16, 2024© Reuters

The hosts will be without centre-back Steve Birnbaum until late July as a result of a knee injury, while fellow defenders Garrison Tubbs and Conner Antley are expected to be back in the middle of this month.

Midfielder Jackson Hopkins is also out until mid-July due to a back injury.

Winger Kristian Fletcher will not be available for United until at least late July after he injured his ankle.

Forward Cristian Dajome was also sent off last time out against New York Red Bulls and is set to miss out on Thursday.

Midfielder Russell Canouse has not appeared since October 8, 2023, and it was reported by his club that he underwent colectomy surgery and may not appear again until the autumn months.

As for the visitors, centre-back Miles Robinson is with the USA national team at Copa America.

Elsewhere, fellow centre-back Matt Miazga is out due to a leg injury until mid-July, while Nick Hagglund will also be unavailable because of a leg injury.

Malik Pinto is absent for Cincinnati as he is currently sidelined with an ankle issue, while forward Corey Baird has not played since May 12 and is out with a hip injury.


DC United possible starting lineup:
Miller; Herrera, Bartlett, Peltola, Santos; Pirani, Garay, Klich; Stroud, Murrell, Ku-DiPietro

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Keller, Murphy, Yedlin; Orellano, Kubo, Bucha, Asad; Acosta; Kelsy, Valenzuela


SM words green background

We say: DC United 0-2 FC Cincinnati

Cincinnati's excellent away form should see them come into the Thursday's clash as strong favourites.

Additionally, DC United have struggled at home in recent matches, and their overall form suggests that they may find it difficult to achieve a positive outcome against high-flying Cincinnati.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


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Written by
Lewis Nolan

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How you voted: DC United vs Cincinnati

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Draw
FC Cincinnati
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Draw
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FC Cincinnati
72.7%
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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


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