MX23RW : Monday, September 27 16:48:06| >> :120:12162:12162:
Sep 26, 2021 at 12.30am UK at RFK Stadium
DC UnitedDC United
4-2
CincinnatiFC Cincinnati
Arriola (7', 41'), Birnbaum (21'), Robertha (72')
Hamid (34')
FT(HT: 3-0)
Vazquez (80'), Acosta (84')

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

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

DC United will look to mount the pressure on their fellow playoff hopefuls when they welcome strugglers FC Cincinnati to Audi Field on Sunday morning.

Only once in four meetings has this fixture not finished goalless, with both sides desperate to avoid another stalemate and take all three points.


Match preview

DC United forward Nigel Robertha celebrates scoring with teammates on June 27, 2021© Reuters

As a Major League Soccer founding member, DC United are synonymous with the division, yet have struggled to emulate the success they enjoyed early on in their history.

Winners of four MLS Cups and a further four Supporters' Shields between 1996 and 2007, including the inaugural season, only LA Galaxy have tasted more trophy successes than the club from Washington DC, however, it is now 14 years since they have lifted anything.

Indifferent form in the league has left them with work to do if they wish to qualify for their first playoffs since 2019, as the Black-and-Red are one of a number of Eastern Conference sides in with a shout.

Just eight points separate Columbus Crew in 10th all the way up to New York City FC in third, with DC United amongst the mix in eighth.

Currently one point behind Philadelphia Union in the final playoff spot, Hernan Losada will be wary that his side have played one more match than the club from Pennsylvania, but still confident of booking their place.

One way to do just that is to win their fixtures and DC United should fancy themselves against a Cincinnati side who have consistently struggled throughout the 2021 campaign.

FC Cincinnati head coach Jaap Stam calls to his team in the second half against Orlando City SC at TQL Stadium on August 7, 2021© Reuters

Winning just one of their first eight matches left Cincinnati in a precarious situation and they have only registered a further three victories since mid-May.

One of their four victories this campaign came against the only side below them in the Eastern Conference, Toronto, who the Orange and Blue saw off 2-0.

It was the second victory Cincinnati had picked up against Toronto this year and despite their poor league ranking, it also marked the sixth clean sheet Jaap Stam's side have managed this season.

Notorious for his defensive abilities as a player, Stam has been able to instil some of his past virtues into the Cincinnati backline, however, it is in front of goal where his side have let him down.

No side in the entirety of MLS have scored fewer than Cincinnati and the Orange and Blue would be looking at a more promising league position had they converted some of their three 0-0 draws into wins.

Another stalemate would not be a shock result when they travel to the country's capital, with three of the four matches between the pair ending 0-0 since Cincinnati joined MLS in 2019.

DC United Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W

FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L



Team News

DC United head coach Hernan Losada smiles as he walks off the field after the against FC Cincinnati in the first half at TQL Stadium on July 31, 2021© Reuters

Adrien Perez has featured 12 times for DC United this year, but the centre-forward will be missing until early December following a broken ankle.

Brendan Hines-Ike will also be missing for the hosts after breaking his hip in mid-July, whilst Chris Odoi-Atsem is also set to miss out with a muscle injury.

Nigel Robertha has been absent for every DC United match since August and the centre-forward will be on the sideline once again as he waits for his groin injury to heal.

Staam was left frustrated by Cincinnati's recent loss to New York City FC, not least because of the slender margin of defeat, but also as two of his players were shown red cards in the dying embers of the match.

Both Alvaro Barreal and Isaac Atanga were given their marching orders with less than five minutes to go and will miss the trip to Washington DC.

Maikel van der Werff will be absent for the Orange and Blue, with the visitors' captain expected back soon following a hernia.

Joseph-Claude Gyau is another key asset missing for Cincinnati, as the right-back has been missing since mid-August after an Achilles tendon tear.

DC United possible starting lineup:
Hamid; Alfaro Vazquez, Brillant, Pines; Paredes, Moreno, Canouse, Gressel; Skundrich, Arriola, Kamara

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Tyton; Hagglund, Cameron, Vallecilla, Castillo; Kubo, Medunjanin, Acosta; Valot, Brenner, Harris


SM words green background

We say: DC United 3-0 FC Cincinnati

Both sides are in need of the points for two completely different reasons; DC United are keen to book themselves into this year's playoffs, whilst Cincinnati will be looking to avoid finishing bottom of the Eastern Conference.

The head-to-heads suggest a stalemate, whilst the form book points towards a DC United win – it may not be entirely one-sided, but the Black-and-Red should have enough.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


ID:464999:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10334:

How you voted: DC United vs Cincinnati

DC United
75.0%
Draw
25.0%
FC Cincinnati
0.0%
8
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
New York Red Bulls teammates celebrates after the game against the Orlando City SC on May 29, 2021
Read Next:
Saturday's MLS predictions including New York Red Bulls vs. DC United
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables

Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1New England RevolutionNew England28195453332062
2Nashville SCNashville261112344242045
3New York City FCNY City26116944301439
4Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia2510873225738
5Orlando City2610883738-138
6DC United26114114538737
7CF MontrealMontreal2610793732537
8Atlanta UnitedAtlanta269983531436
9Columbus Crew2797113236-434
10Inter MiamiInter Miami2595112540-1532
11New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls2586113129230
12Chicago Fire2766152643-1724
13FC CincinnatiCincinnati2548132648-2220
14Toronto2647152851-2319

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1New England RevolutionNew England28195453332062
2Nashville SCNashville261112344242045
3New York City FCNY City26116944301439
4Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia2510873225738
5Orlando City2610883738-138
6DC United26114114538737
7CF MontrealMontreal2610793732537
8Atlanta UnitedAtlanta269983531436
9Columbus Crew2797113236-434
10Inter MiamiInter Miami2595112540-1532
11New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls2586113129230
12Chicago Fire2766152643-1724
13FC CincinnatiCincinnati2548132648-2220
14Toronto2647152851-2319

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!