To start the first of two straight road matches, FC Cincinnati will take a trip to the capital to face DC United. They will be looking to continue a three-match unbeaten streak and keep a high spot in the East.
THE BLACK AND RED
DC United reworked much of their starting eleven to prepare for Troy Lesesne’s second full season as head coach. Notable additions include Peglow as a starting left-winger from the Polish Ekstraklasa, Kye Rowles as a starting center-back from the Scottish Premiership, and Kim Jun-Hong as a starting goalkeeper from the Korean K. League 1.
Lesesne was previously tenured as the interim head coach for the New York Red Bulls in 2023, where he faced FC Cincinnati in competitive matches like the Round One Best-of-3 Series. In 2024, his DC was winless against the Red Bulls, drawing away and losing at home.
In all but one of his seven matches against FC Cincinnati, his sides have settled for less possession. That is by design, as it allows a possession-based opponent to waste energy while they are pressed hard. This was especially true for his Red Bull side, but for DC, he has emphasized a somewhat possession-based style with efficiency.
None of their goals have come on the counter; all have come from either open play or set pieces, including penalties. Most of their attacks have come from the left side, which has been occupied by left-winger Peglow and left-back David Schnegg when overlapping.
DC’s most recent result was a demolition, losing 6-1 at the San Jose Earthquakes on the thirtieth anniversary of MLS’ inaugural match. As unbelievable as it sounds, they were on the end of an unlucky scoreline; they had 56% of possession and just as many shots on target (10) as their opponent. They were thwarted by heroic goalkeeping from the Quakes’ Daniel, who had nine saves.
Regardless, they aren’t in a good position. They sit 12th in the East, four points off a playoff spot, with just one win through their seven matches. Their defense is statistically the worst in the league with 17 goals conceded. It will be an uphill battle against Cincinnati, even if they have home-field advantage.
THE ORANGE AND BLUE
The Orange and Blue are looking to bounce back from a run of matches where they failed to look better than their opponent. They returned to winning ways last weekend against New England, looking more cohesive than they had in a while.
They have struggled to get the ball to Evander in dangerous positions, and therefore to create enough chances for Denkey to finish. The defense has been lackadaisical compared to what it has been, but they took a step in the right direction with their clean sheet against New England—their first since the home opener.
In spite of schedule congestion, a flurry of injuries, and the aforementioned lack of cohesion among the team, the Orange and Blue are on a three-match winning streak and sit tied for 3rd in the East with 13 points.
Evander is an unknown as he recovers from a tweak in his knee suffered against Nashville. Noonan said that Nwobodo will be a “game-time” decision, Kubo suffered a set-back and that will be managed, and Hadebe will be out with his return estimated to be a “couple weeks” away, all per Carter Chapley. Robinson will likely appear as he was fully participating in training.
DC’s defense will doubtlessly struggle against an attacking front that includes Denkey, Orellano, and Bucha. If the Orange and Blue are able to replicate those last 30 minutes against New England where they looked clinical, they will be in pole position to leave the capital with all three points.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Pavel Bucha is Cincinnati’s player to watch. He scored a brace in the last road trip to DC. Against New England, it was his pullback across the face of goal that led to Santos’ winner. He has been expected to provide more offensive support and has come through with three goals and two assists so far in ’25.
Christian Benteke is DC’s player to watch. His goal in that San Jose match adds to his tally of 5 goals that have him tied at second for the Golden Boot. He is a strong-bodied striker with the most imposing aerial prowess in the league; this will be a challenge for Cincinnati’s hodgepodge defense to overcome.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The field might be tilted in favor of Cincinnati, but there are factors that work against them. The quality of DC’s turf pitch has been criticized, and they are ill-prepared at dealing with sides that press hard. If anything, they will struggle to move the ball around amidst this.
DC is in desperate need of some sort of consolation win, as they try to avoid slipping further down the table. If they can use the pitch and pressure to their advantage, they have a chance.
With the team missing a few starters, Cincinnati must adjust to these unique factors, especially as they miss Evander to run the attack. That is a lesson they’ve been forced to learn in this still-young season; are they going to be up to this test?
MATCH INFO
WHERE: Audi Field
WHEN: 7:30
WATCH: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+
DC United, Featured, Match Preview
