DC United will welcome Austin FC to Audi Field this weekend, lookinh=g to snap an eight-game winless run in all competitions.

While the hosts suffered another 2-1 defeat, this time away to Columbus Crew, the visitors got back to winning ways by edging LA Galaxy 2-1 to end a two-game skid.

Match preview

It has been a poor season for DC United, who slumped to their third 2-1 loss in a row in the MLS last time out. 

That outcome made it four straight defeats across all competitions and eight matches without victory, a run that includes a 5-2 US Open Cup thrashing by Nashville, a result that cost Troy Lesesne his job as head coach.

New boss Rene Weiler was appointed on July 16 but has endured a tough start to life in the dugout, losing both of his opening matches. 

The Eagles are second from bottom in the Eastern Conference with just 19 points from 24 matches, 14 points adrift of the final wild-card spot, and are staring at a sixth straight season without playoff football.

With only four wins all season, tied for second-fewest in the entire league, and none in their last six home games, there is little confidence around Audi Field at the moment. 

However, two of their four league victories this season have come on home turf, but the last one dates back to May.

To make matters worse, DC have never beaten Austin FC, with the Texas-based side winning both of the previous two meetings, scoring three times in each, and will feel confident of continuing that dominance on Saturday.

Austin come into this one in better form. Since the start of June, Nico Estevez’s men have picked up three wins from five, with just one defeat in that period. 

That recent improvement has pushed them back into the playoff mix, currently sitting eighth in the Western Conference with 30 points from 22 games, level with seventh-placed Colorado, who have played two more matches.

While Austin had gone five away games without a win, they have now won two of their last three on the road and will see this trip to DC as a big opportunity to climb further up the standings.

DC United MLS Playoffs form:

DC United form (all competitions):

Austin FC MLS Playoffs form:

Austin FC form (all competitions):

Team News

DC United will be without Aaron Herrera following his red card against Columbus Crew last time out. 

Kristian Fletcher remains sidelined with a long-term cruciate ligament injury and is not expected back until March 2026, while defender Lukas MacNaughton is still nursing a thigh injury but could return in early August.

Austin FC are also without a key figure, as top scorer Brandon Vazquez is out with a knee injury until next month. 

The forward has bagged nine goals in 22 appearances this season, and in his absence, Myrto Uzuni stepped up with a goal last time out and is expected to lead the line again, with young midfielder Owen Wolff another likely contributor in attack.

DC United possible starting lineup:

Barraza; Schnegg, Rowles, Bartlett, Tubbs; Peglow, Enow, Servania, Dodson; Pirani, Benteke 

Austin FC possible starting lineup:

Stuver; Desler, Svatok, Hines-Ike, Biro; Ilie, Perreira; Bukari, Rubio, Wolff; Uzuni

We say: DC United 1-2 Austin FC

With DC United in poor form and struggling, it is hard to back them even with home advantage against an Austin side that will be confident after their recent wins. 

Given the form of both teams and the visitor’s dominance in this fixture, the visitors are likely to win this one, though not by a huge margin.

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

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