Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker:
Two sides who are desperately seeking an MLS boost this weekend, DC United will welcome Nashville to Audi Field in the early hours of Sunday.
DC United
Starting with the hosts, in the midst of what has become an infamous MLS nightmare, DC United have certainly come under a huge amount of scrutiny so far this season. Last seen putting in another woeful performance as they fell to a 5-0 drumming at the hands of Orlando, the Eagles sit rock-bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Opening July with an action-packed 3-2 defeat at home against Cincinnati, Troy Lesesne has a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders. In fact, the Washington-based outfit have remarkably failed to muster a single victory from any of their last 11 consecutive MLS appearances. With that extended rut stemming all the way back to a 3-2 win against Atlanta on May 12th, the former New York Red Bulls boss will have a huge headache over his side’s glaring defensive struggles. Including a 4-1 loss against Houston last month, DC United have conceded 14 goals in just their previous four outings.
Team News
Shown a first-half red card against Orlando last weekend, former St. Louis defender Lucas Bartlett will miss out through suspension here. Likewise, all still dealing with respective injury issues, DC United will be unable to call upon the likes of Jackson Hopkins, Kristian Fletcher and one-time Hoffenheim starlet Russell Canouse.
Although former Crystal Palace star Christian Benteke might have notched just a single strike in any of his previous five MLS appearances, the 33-year-old will certainly play a leading role in the early hours of Sunday. Ex-Santos youngster Gabriel Pirani will once again partner Finland international Matti Pelota at the heart of DC United’s midfield.
Nashville
As for the visitors, while Nashville might still sit in the driving seat to wrap up a play-off ticket this season, the Coyotes are seeking their own boost this weekend. Putting in a nightmare performance earlier in the week as they slumped to a 4-1 defeat away at Portland, the Tennessee-based outfit have now lost all of their previous three MLS appearances by an aggregate score of 8-2. Signing off June with a 2-1 loss at home against Inter Miami, Sunday’s guests have also shown their own respective defensive issues. Nevertheless, despite enduring their worst spell since opening up the 2024 campaign, Nashville will be excited by a dominant record against DC United. Including a 2-0 win when they welcomed the Eagles to Geodis Park 12 months ago, they are unbeaten in all of their seven historic battles against Sunday’s hosts.
Team News
Shown a first-half red card away at Portland earlier in the week, 27-year-old Tah Anunga will miss out here through suspension. Although the Canadian duo of Lukas Macnaughton and Jacob Shaffelburg might have came crashing out of the Copa America in midweek thanks to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Argentina, neither are expected to feature here.
Bagging a consolation strike against Portland on Monday, former Nottingham Forest striker Sam Surridge will play a leading role at Audi Field. USA international Walker Zimmerman will be partnered with Jack Maher at the heart of Nashville’s defence in Washington.
Key Factors to Consider
