D.C. United is poised for a comeback after a devastating 6-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes last week. As the Black-and-Red prepare to face Eastern Conference powerhouse FC Cincinnati, head coach Troy Lesesne and his squad want to turn frustration into fuel.
The Orange and Blue head to the nation’s capital fresh off a 3-0 victory over Toronto FC and have made a strong start to the 2025 season. Head coach Pat Noonan will be looking to move 5th place Cincinnati up the table by snagging further points in D.C., extending their three-match unbeaten streak.
Despite setbacks in recent matches, Lesesne remains committed to the club’s long-term vision—one rooted in accountability, resilience, and culture-building. The upcoming clash offers an opportunity for D.C. to reset against a high-caliber opponent, and the message from the Lesesne is clear: “We’re going to respond.”
Thankfully, the Black-and-Red have the roster depth to make their case against Cincinnati. With only two men down for the count today – Jackson Hopkins and Gavin Turner – Lesesne has options.
Following two heavy defeats in the last three games, Lesesne emphasized the need for accountability and unity. “Two out of the last three results—everyone in the room agrees—this is unacceptable,” Lesesne said. “We’ve come to a good place in saying, ‘Let’s narrow the scope.’ We can’t let two results deter the progress we’ve made.”
This past week, legends Landon Donovan and Tim Howard expressed their concern for the Black-and-Red on their “Unfiltered” podcast. Donovan said, “This is the time when we need to hammer D.C. a little bit. Because we’ve been hammering New England and just down the East Coast there, D.C. is a disaster. They need to figure out, and it starts with ownership to be sure, ‘Do you really care about this? And if not, then take your profit and get out because the league is too mature now to have teams like this.”
Amid external criticism, Lesesne remained firm in his belief in the project. “I know the progress that we’re making… I’m not going to operate in that [negative] space. I come in always optimistic, trying to provide hope.”
Hear everything head coach Troy Lesesne had to say at the pre-game press conference here.
Let us know your thoughts about tonight’s match in the comments below and be sure to join us live here during the game to chat with your fellow supporters.
Key Player: Christian Benteke
D.C. United’s captain scored the lone goal in last week’s match against San Jose. So far, this 2025 season, he’s recorded five goals and will look to progress toward another MLS Golden Boot award.
Watch Out For: Pavel Bucha
With three goals and two assists so far in 2025, Bucha has been a mainstay of Cincinnati’s defense. Linked up with a strong Orange and Blue attack, Bucha will put Cincinnati in a position to leave D.C. with three points.
Challenges: The pressure is on the Black-and-Red to show results after a roster overhaul and a recent rough stretch.
Previously, D.C. United lost their last home match, 3-2, against FC Cincinnati in July 2024.
D.C. United Availability:
Out: Jackson Hopkins (ankle), Gavin Turner (illness)
Questionable: None
FC Cincinnati Availability:
Out: Teenage Hadebe (leg), Yuya Kubo (leg), Obinna Nwobodo (leg)
Questionable: Evander (knee)
Location: Audi Field, Washington, DC
Kickoff time: 7:30 pm ET
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
Available streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
So at least 2 goals allowed tonight and a loss is my prediction.
Lineup is out, league site has it as a 3-4-3
Barraza in goal
Rowles, McNaughton, Bartlett
Hererrea, Kijimia, Servania, Schnegg
Stroud, Benteke, Peglow
Bench: Zouhir, Badji, Leal, Dodson, Pirani, Murrell, Peltola, Enow, Kim Joon Hong
Benching Peltola and Enow is one hell of statement. Benching them for Servania is another layer. I’m very concerned about that midfield…seems very soft/not so defensively focused?
Peltola and Enow are also two of Mackay’s biggest personnel swings, both at essentially the same spot, and both are being judged to be “not good enough.” That’s a hell of an indictment of Mackay, too.
Both U-22 players are on the bench, too…
At least it’ll be exciting* to see if 3 CBs can be better for this particular group.
*may not be the best word; replace as needed
I’m gonna just depart from DCU fandom for the evening (giving up already), and say that the one thing I’d like to see this game is for Miazga to get back on the field. He and my cousin had their second baby this week, and I told him he could just go ahead and call the three points a new baby present.
Congratulations to you, for Miazga’s return! And I guess to him and your cousin.
Yeah, I mean, having a Cincy player in the family is more forgivable than having a Red Bull in the family, so we let him stay. It’s getting harder and harder to shit talk him, though, because the gap is too big.
Well, it’s certainly eye-brow raising that Kim, Enow, and Peltola are on the bench. On a team with a low budget and not a lot of depth, that’s a real indictment of our signings. Kim, not so much–he’s young, new to the league, still learning English. Enow and Peltola were on the roster last year.
And FT, it’s Cincinnati 1, DCU 0. It’s a sad statement when you lose at home and you consider it a positive note that you only lost by one goal, not 3 or 5.
That wasn’t as bad as I feared, but we only sort-of hung in during the second half by reverting to old school, drive it up the wings and make 8,000 crosses tactics. There are good reasons nobody does that anymore.
Servania isn’t starter grade, but I’d be happy with him as the backup for the double pivot… keeps it simple, stays in the system, can move the ball with decent touch.
Mackay, I think, has shown that he can evaluate for an attacking mentality and some useful skills, but he has whiffed horribly on danger sense with almost everyone in the defensive half. The turnovers… my god, the turnovers. O.o. Cincy had no business converting only one of the gift-wrapped opportunities.
At this point I don’t think any part of the system – ownership, gm, manager, coaching, scouting – can be assessed as “adequate.”