Fresh off the back of suffering their first defeat of the 2025 MLS campaign, DC United will be looking to bounce back when they play host to Columbus Crew at Audi Field on Saturday.
While the Black-and-Red have managed just one win from their opening five matches, the visitors are one of just two sides unbeaten in the East and could move level with first-placed Philadelphia Union with a win here.
Match preview
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DC United have failed to find their feet in the new MLS campaign as they suffered a 4-1 hammering at the hands of Orlando City when the two sides met at the Exploria Stadium last Sunday.
Orlando turned in an attacking show of class in front of their home supporters as Luis Muriel, Martin Ojeda, Alexander Freeman and Marco Pasalic found the back of the net to put them four goals up before Lukas MacNaughton struck in the 91st minute to give the visitors something to cheer for.
DC United have failed to win four of their opening five matches this season — losing once and claiming three draws — with a 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City at Audi Field on March 9 being the only exception.
While breaching opposition defences has not been a worry for Troy Lesesne's men, who have netted seven goals so far, their slow start to the campaign has been owing to their struggles at the back, where they have conceded nine already — only Orlando City (11) and Toronto FC (12) have shipped more.
DC United have come into the new term looking to improve on their disappointing 2024 campaign, where they finished 13th in the Eastern Conference standings, only below ninth-placed Atlanta United in the final playoff spot on goal difference.
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Elsewhere, Columbus Crew were guilty of a lack of sting at the attacking end of the pitch last weekend as they were held to a goalless draw by New York City FC when the two teams squared off in Ohio.
While they fired 24 shots at the Lower.com Field, Columbus Crew failed to make their chances count as New York City held their own to force a share of the spoils and end their run of three back-to-back defeats against the home side.
With that result, Wilfried Nancy's men remain one of just two sides yet to suffer defeat in the Eastern Conference, having edged out Chicago Bulls and New England Revolution from their opening two games before playing out three consecutive stalemates.
Columbus Crew have come into the new campaign looking to build on their performance from last year, when they suffered a first-round exit from the playoffs after losing twice to New York Red Bulls in their best-of-three clash.
The Crew will be backing themselves to return to winning ways this weekend as they take on an opposing side who have failed to win their last seven meetings, losing four and claiming three draws since a 4-2 loss in August 2021.
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Team News
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DC United will be without several players down the spine of the team as the American duo of Jackson Hopkins and striker Bibi Hakim Karamoko have all been sidelined through ankle and abdominal injuries respectively.
Conner Antley continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines since suffering a knee injury in May 2024 and the American defender is also out of contention for Lesesne's men.
Costa Rican midfielder Randall Leal has missed ruled out since sustaining a thigh problem against Toronto in February and the 28-year-old will also play no part in this weekend's tie.
As for Columbus Crew, Nancy will be unable to name goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen, who has been ruled out through a finger injury, while French defender Rudy Camacho is currently recuperating from a thigh problem.
Veteran defender Steven Moreira has missed the last two matches since coming off with a hamstring injury against Los Angeles FC on March 12 and the 30-year-old will also play no part in Saturday's clash.
DC United possible starting lineup:
Bush; Ruvalcaba, Zawadzki, Cheberko, Herrera; Chambost, Nagbe, Jones, Rossi; Jackson, Russell-Rowe
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Kim; Herrera, Bartlett, MacNaughton, Schnegg; Kijima, Enow; Stroud, Pirani, Peglow; Benteke
We say: DC United 2-2 Columbus Crew
Stick licking their wounds from their first defeat of the season, DC United will look to make an immediate reaction here and return to winning ways. However, the Crew have been tough to crack this season and we predict that they will do just enough to keep their unbeaten run in the league alive.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
