DC United has a big match this evening in the friendly confines of Audi Field as they host FC Cincinnati. It’s the return leg of a rare back-to-back against the same opponent during the regular season, as Cincinnati took the first “leg” in a 2-1 win at home on Wednesday night in what was a rescheduled match from September.

The Black-and-Red approached the week as a look at what a playoff series would be, a rarity during the regular season. “Yeah, it’s a kind of playoff game, so a simulation of a playoff game to try to to be better in two games against the same opponent,” René Weiler said after the match in Cincinnati on Wednesday night. “So we are now down with this loss and with the result to one, and now we try to do a second part in that simulation of a playoff game and to to play a successful game on Saturday.”

In a short press conference on Wednesday night, an irritated Weiler was frustrated at the loss but commended his players for not giving up on the fight. However, he acknowledged the quality of the roster was below that of their opponent, suggesting that the club would need to bring in “new players to strengthen the team.” He also spoke of playing efficiently and how Cincinnati was able to do that while DC was not.

“I can’t blame anyone…they are trying always,” Weiler remarked. “I often speak about efficiency, but efficiency is also a quality. Their players are more efficient. They score more goals. They have more assists. Yeah, they have maybe a little bit more quality.”

DC United will need to find that quality on a quick turnaround because they are running out of runway to land in the playoffs. The loss on Wednesday night was their makeup game to bring them to 30 matches played alongside the rest of the Eastern Conference. Entering tonight’s match, the Black-and-Red are three points below the playoff line. But, they can help themselves with wins, as they play FC Cincinnati, Toronto FC, the Columbus Crew, and NYCFC to close out the regular season. Each of those teams are teams just above them in the standings. A win would keep them in the mix with a chance to control their own destiny.

One big question will be whether goalkeeper Sean Johnson will be available tonight. Johnson was a late add to the injury report on Tuesday and eventually missed the match against Cincinnati on Wednesday night. Weiler said after that match that he didn’t have any information on whether Johnson would be ready to play tonight.

While a loss wouldn’t completely eliminate DC United from the playoffs due to their remaining opponents, it would remove destiny from their hands. They would fall at minimum 6 points back with three matches to play, and they would need other teams to help them make up points if they want to end the longest active playoff drought in Major League Soccer. That’s what makes this match tonight all the more important, and DC United hope to come out of with with a win, three points, and some momentum.

DC United vs. FC Cincinnati

Location: Audi Field

Kickoff time: 7:30pm ET

Available streaming: Apple TV