Los Angeles FC beat their cross-city rivals, the LA Galaxy, to top spot in the Western Conference on the final day of the MLS regular season, while D.C. United were pipped to a playoff place by Atlanta United.

The Galaxy simply needed to avoid defeat to take the West's number one seed, with LAFC coming from behind to beat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1.

Having gone behind to an Ezequiel Ponce strike away at the Houston Dynamo, the Galaxy drew level six minutes into second-half stoppage time as MLS Newcomer of the Year favourite Gabriel Pec converted from the penalty spot.

However, former Galaxy defender Daniel Steres headed into the top-left corner 11 minutes into stoppage time to hand LAFC their third conference title, and their second in three seasons.

Elsewhere, there was heartbreak for Troy Lesesne's D.C. side as a 3-0 defeat at home to Charlotte FC saw them slip out of the wild-card places in the Eastern Conference.

That result opened the door to Atlanta, who upset Orlando City with a 2-1 road win to move ahead of D.C. on goal difference and join Montreal in the wild-card round.

Josef Martinez joined Caden Clark on the scoresheet as Montreal beat already-qualified New York City 2-0 at Stade Saputo to finish eighth.

Those results meant the Philadelphia Union missed the postseason for the first time since 2017, as they squandered a 1-0 lead in a 2-1 home loss to FC Cincinnati to finish 12th. 

Troy Lesesne believes D.C. United's confidence is as high as it has been all season ahead of their crucial Decision-Day meeting with Charlotte FC.

D.C. need a point to clinch a playoff place for the first time since 2019, which would end their joint-longest playoff drought (also four years between 2008 and 2011).

They are in contention with CF Montreal and the Philadelphia Union, with two wild-card spots still to be decided on the final matchday in the Eastern Conference, after recording back-to-back victories over Nashville SC (4-3) and the New England Revolution (2-1).

"When challenges come – and we've had many this year – it's easy for us to use those as excuses and pack it up," Lesesne told reporters.

"But our group has never done that, just look at all the things we've gone through this year, the mental endurance that these guys have displayed to be in this position...

"You learn so much about yourself and your players and I'm really proud of the group.

"You expected all along that it would go right down to the last game, but the confidence of this team right now seems to be at the highest it has been all year."

Charlotte, on the other hand, have already confirmed their postseason spot, though a victory could see them move from sixth to fifth and improve their playoff seeding. 

"I know this game is more for seeding than anything else, but the main thing for us is to keep this going," forward Patrick Agyemang said.

"The main thing is to just continue on the road we're on, which is positive results. We want the season to end with a bang to put us in a good position for the playoffs."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

D.C. United – Christian Benteke

Benteke has scored 23 goals this season, equalling Raul Diaz Arce (1996) for the most in a single season in D.C.'s MLS history. 

His nine headed goals, meanwhile, are tied for the second-most in a single year by any player since Opta began detailed data collection of MLS in 2010, behind Josef Martinez's 10 in 2018. Can he draw level with the Venezuelan? 

Charlotte FC – Patrick Agyemang 

Agyemang's goal for Charlotte last Saturday, in a 2-0 win over Montreal, was his 15th goal contribution of the season (nine goals, six assists). 

He is one goal contribution shy of the single-season club record of 16, achieved by Karol Swiderski in each of the team's first two MLS campaigns.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

The home side has not lost any of the five previous meetings between D.C. and Charlotte, with D.C. recording a pair of 3-0 wins in their two home matches against the Crown. 

Charlotte, though, have lost only four of their last 11 regular-season away matches dating back to the beginning of May (four wins, three draws). 

D.C. United only need a point to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2019, ending a four-year postseason drought, and with home advantage on their side, they should get it.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

D.C. United – 37.1%

Charlotte FC – 36.6%

Draw – 26.3%

Troy Lesesne was full of praise for D.C. United's comeback win over Nashville SC but has urged the team to maintain their high level when they travel to New England Revolution.

D.C. came from behind, scoring two late goals to snatch a 4-3 victory over Nashville in midweek, moving them to 11th in the Eastern Conference.

They are one of three teams on 37 points and still have a chance of making the playoffs with two games remaining.

Lesesne is now keen to build on their latest run of form in what he describes as a tough place to visit.

"It's another situation where we need three points," Lesesne said. "We can go do it, but we just need to be in this mindset.

"New England are a very good team, I understand where they are in the table, but it's really hard to get points there and we need to be at our best again.

"I've been trying to communicate a clear message the entire season about the mentality, and how the players display themselves. That was on full display [against Nashville]."

Meanwhile, New England's slim chances of making the playoffs are still alive, despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Houston Dynamo last time out.

They sit 14th in the table on 31 points with three games left, but head coach Caleb Porter acknowledged they need to improve the small details if they want to make it to the postseason.

"For me, where we fell short is the details [against Houston]," Porter said. "And that's the area of our team that we have to continue to work on.

"We have to finish our chances. We have to be smarter in those details of our decision-making. And the guys know that. So, for me, that's a real learning lesson."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New England Revolution – Carles Gil

Carles Gil scored for the first time since early September from the penalty spot against Houston, ending a run of four games without a goal.

He is the team's second top-scorer on seven goals, while he has also registered the most assists (five), and the Revs will be hoping he can provide the spark in their search for a vital three points.

D.C. United – Gabriel Pirani

Most of the headlines for D.C. will often go to Christian Benteke, who has a league-high 22 goals so far. However, Gabriel Pirani stepped up when it counted on Wednesday.

He sits second on their goalscoring charts with six for the season, getting two of those in stoppage time in midweek, to flip the game on its head and claim a superb victory.

MATCH PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION WIN

New England were on a three-match unbeaten streak against D.C. but lost their most recent meeting with them this season, going down 3-1 in February. However, D.C. have lost their last four trips to Gillette Stadium.

The Revs have won just one of their last seven MLS matches (D2 L4), though that victory came in their last home game as they edged past Nashville 1-0.

Meanwhile, D.C. have lost just one of their last six outings (W3 D2) – that defeat did come on the road, but they bounced back, coming from behind to get their win over Nashville in midweek.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New England Revolution – 45.5%

Draw – 26.8%

D.C. United – 27.6%

Troy Lesesne believes D.C. United's ruthlessness could be what gets them over the line as they battle for an MLS Cup playoff spot, ahead of Wednesday's huge clash with Nashville SC.

D.C. sit 12th in the Eastern Conference standings with three games to play, one point and one place above Nashville and just three adrift of the final wild-card spot.

After watching his team fight back to earn a 2-2 draw against the MLS Cup holders, the Columbus Crew, last time out, Lesesne said their spirit could take them far.

"This group does not stop, that's a value we have throughout the club at the moment," Lesense said. 

"I think that value of being relentless, that mindset that we're always going to keep going, that's what is going to carry us down to the wire with these three matches that are left.

"It's human nature when things are difficult to go into survival mode, or to make excuses or blame others. As a manager, you have to combat that.

"I just give our players and staff a tremendous amount of credit for not succumbing to that." 

Nashville, meanwhile, found form at the right time under new boss B.J. Callaghan, taking seven points from three games before going down 1-0 to the New England Revolution on Saturday.

Callaghan remained upbeat as he looked ahead to Wednesday's match, saying: "The approach of the week is the same as usual.

"It's a good opportunity for us, we have plenty of positives that we can build on.

"D.C. have a really clear style of play, a clear way of doing things, and they're a team where we're going to have to be really sharp to get the result we want."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Nashville SC – Sam Surridge 

Surridge leads all Nashville players for goals in MLS this term, netting 11 times in the competition – five more than his closest team-mate Hany Mukhtar (six). He has also scored three goals in their last two home games.

D.C. United – Christian Benteke

Benteke's two goals on Saturday took him to 21 for the season, the second-most by a D.C. United player in a single MLS campaign (after Raul Diaz Arce – 23 in 1996). 

It was Benteke's eighth multi-goal game since the start of last season, only Denis Bouanga (10) has more in that time.

MATCH PREDICTION – NASHVILLE SC WIN

D.C. claimed their first-ever victory over Nashville when the sides last met on July 13, winning 2-1 on home soil. 

Nashville have, however, won all three of their home games against D.C. by an aggregate score of 8-2.

D.C. were thrashed 4-0 by the Philadelphia Union in their last road game on September 22, halting a four-match unbeaten run on their travels. With Nashville taking seven points from their last four games, another defeat could await them here.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nashville SC – 47.9%

D.C. United – 26.1%

Draw – 26%

Wilfried Nancy insists that Columbus Crew’s Campeones Cup final defeat in midweek will not deter his side from achieving their goals in the MLS playoffs this season.

The Crew were edged out on penalties by Mexican side Club America after Malte Amundsen’s opener was cancelled out by Victor Davila before losing 5-4 in the shootout.

But attention now turns to league action with a trip to Audi Field to face D.C. United, and head coach Nancy believes the defeat in that showpiece match will only spur on his players.

"We lost the game. I told them when we won the MLS Cup, we learned from that. And we lost the Concacaf Champions Cup final in Pachuca. We also learned from that,” Nancy said.

“So, at the end of the day, the fact that we win, or we lose, we learn. And for me it was the message.

“And the message also for them was to tell them that I was proud of them. And we need two or three days to move forward and are already."

Meanwhile, D.C. were on the end of a 4-0 thrashing against the Philadelphia Union in their last encounter, denting their feint hopes of making a late push for the playoffs.

The Black-and-Red sit 13th in the Eastern Conference with four games of the regular season remaining, but are just three points behind the Union, who are in the final playoff position in the division.

Head coach Troy Lesesne lamented his side’s unacceptable display at Subaru Park but acknowledged the enormity of the task awaiting his team ahead of facing the Leagues Cup winners.

“I think urgency is the right word. I want to see more urgency out of our side than what we saw last week against Philadelphia,” Lesesne said.

“That’s not the type of performance want to display, but at the same time we have to move on quickly. We want to take the game to Columbus as much as we can.

“They are extremely talented, and they’ve had lot of success. We know they are a tough opponent. We’re going to try and have the mindset – it is critical against an opponent like this.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

D.C. United - Christian Benteke

Benteke has won 271 aerial duels this season, the most in a single season since Opta began detailed data collection of the MLS in 2010.

The Belgian has won 51 more aerial duels than the entire Crew team, who have won an MLS-low of 220 aerial duels this season.

Columbus Crew – Cucho Hernandez

Hernandez came off the bench to record a goal and an assist in the Crew’s win over Orlando on Saturday, his second such game as a substitute this season.

The Colombian is one of six players in MLS history to record multiple games with a goal and an assist off the bench in a single season.

MATCH PREDICTION: COLUMBUS CREW WIN

The Crew are unbeaten in six straight meetings with D.C. (W4 D2), though the Black-and-Red did manage a 1-1 draw in Columbus in April. This is the longest unbeaten run by either team against the other since the Crew went on an eight-match unbeaten run over D.C. in 2005-06.

Nancy’s side’s win over Orlando City last time out took them to 56 points on the season after totalling 57 points in the 2023 campaign. Prior to last season, Columbus had never earned more than 54 points in a single campaign before.

D.C. have won only one of their last 10 regular-season home matches (D4 L5) dating back to the beginning of May. No team has collected fewer points at home than the Black-and-Gold (seven, tied with San Jose Earthquakes) over that time.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

D.C. United – 19.8%

Draw – 20.9%

Columbus Crew – 59.3%

Daniel Gazdag scored twice as the Philadelphia Union thrashed rivals D.C. United 4-0 in MLS on Sunday, maintaining their push for a playoff berth.

Hungary international Gazdag netted either side of half-time and was joined on the scoresheet by Mikael Uhre and Tai Baribo as the Union ran riot at Subaru Park.

Uhre scored for a fourth straight game just 13 minutes in, tapping home after good work from Quinn Sullivan on the right flank, then Gazdag doubled Philadelphia's lead three minutes later.

He pounced on a poor clearance from Christopher McVey to lash a shot past Alex Bono, later doubling up by capping a swift 69th-minute counterattack.

Baribo got in on the action between Gazdag's goals by heading home Sullivan's cross, with D.C.'s best opportunity for a consolation seeing Boris Enow's shot deflect off Nathan Harriel and rattle the post.

While Philadelphia continue to occupy the Eastern Conference's final wild-card berth with four regular-season games to play, D.C. are three points adrift of the playoff picture in 13th.

Data Debrief: Gazdag at the double

Gazdag's brace took him to 17 regular-season goals for 2024, seven more than any other Philadelphia player has managed, with Uhre bringing up double figures on Sunday.

Only D.C. captain Christian Benteke – who was limited to two shots totalling 0.14 expected goals (xG) on Sunday – has outscored him in MLS this term (19 goals).

Troy Lesesne admitted D.C. United's trip to Philadelphia Union could have huge playoff implications, but played down the significance of a win.

D.C. are level on points with Philadelphia but sit one place below them in the Eastern Conference in 10th due to their inferior goal difference.

Lesesne's team are currently unbeaten in three, having come from behind to draw 1-1 with New York City FC last time out after back-to-back wins.

A win on Sunday would move D.C. above their opponents, but Lesesne is not resting their end-of-season hopes on one match.

"This is a big match, there's no way around that," Lesesne said.

"Regardless of the outcome, there are still going to be four matches after this weekend that will be equally as important.

"Clearly, we can position ourselves in a great way if we can pick up three points, but it's not in this mindset of a 'must-win' by putting the weight of the world on this result.

"We need to recognise the importance, but not go over the top by putting too much significance on it with five left to play."

Meanwhile, Philadelphia bounced back from defeat to Inter Miami by thrashing NYCFC 5-1 in midweek.

Head coach Jim Curtin was buoyed by that result and is keen to keep that momentum going at the weekend.

"I think we've had a playoff mindset and a playoff mentality because we've put ourselves in a situation where we've had to," Curtin said.

"We have to find ways to take points in hard games. The win [against NYCFC] means nothing if we don't go home and take care of business there in our next two big games."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Philadelphia Union – Tai Baribo

Tai Baribo had both a goal and an assist in Philadelphia's win on Wednesday.

It was Baribo's first assist as a member of the Union to go with his 15 career goals for the club in all competitions.

D.C. United – Christian Benteke

Christian Benteke scored in D.C. United's last away match, a 2-1 win at Chicago Fire, his 10th road goal of the regular season.

The only D.C. player to score more goals on the road in a single regular season was Roy Lassiter (11) in 1999.

MATCH PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN

The Union have won 12 of their last 16 regular season matches against D.C. United (D3 L1) dating back to May 2017. Philadelphia outscored D.C. 46-14 over those 16 matches.

However, Philadelphia have lost seven of their last 12 regular season home matches (W2 D3) after losing just six of their previous 78 such games at Subaru Park dating back to March 2019 (W53 D19).

Meanwhile, D.C. have collected 13 points from their last six regular season matches (W4 D1 L1) after earning just 11 points from their previous 17 league matches (W2 D5). This is the first time they have collected 13 points in a span of six regular season matches since August-September 2021.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Philadelphia Union – 57.1%

Draw – 22.2%

D.C. United – 20.7%

Troy Lesesne says everyone at D.C. United is focused on maintaining their position on the right side of the Eastern Conference playoff cut-off as they prepare to host New York City.

D.C. sit ninth in the East, occupying the final play-in spot with six games remaining of the regular season, one point clear of Atlanta United, who have a game in hand.

Lesesne's men have boosted their postseason hopes by putting together a strong run at an ideal time, winning four of their last five league games either side of the Leagues Cup break.

They beat the Chicago Fire 2-1 last time out with goals from Christian Benteke and Gabriel Pirani, leaving Lesesne to hail their resilience.

"You could just see everyone so committed to the three points and not letting that result slip away," Lesesne said. 

"That's the mentality we're going to need in the final six matches to stay in the position that we earned, which is to get above the playoff line. 

"That's a position that's good to be in, but it's a position we want to be in at the end of the season, not just with six games left."

New York, meanwhile, were beaten 4-2 by the Columbus Crew before the international break but remain in a strong position, sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference with a six-point cushion to the wild-card places.

Head coach Nick Cushing took plenty of positives from their most recent outing, saying: "We went to the most difficult place in MLS and dominated the majority of the game until the last five minutes.

"It's really frustrating because we created a lot of chances although we didn't take them, we dominated the ball, we dominated for long periods. 

"For me, coming here to the champions and the Leagues Cup holders, it was a top performance."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

D.C. United – Christian Benteke 

Benteke scored his 32nd regular-season goal since the start of last year in D.C.'s win at Chicago last time out. 

Only Raul Diaz Arce (38 in 1996-97) and Roy Lassiter (36 in 1998-99) have ever scored more in a two-season span for D.C. United.

New York City – Alonso Martinez 

Martinez has been involved in six of New York's 10 regular-season goals since the beginning of July (five goals, one assist). 

Dating back to May 31, Martinez has been involved in 11 of the club's 19 regular-season goals (eight goals, three assists).

MATCH PREDICTION – NEW YORK CITY WIN

D.C. and New York have alternated victories in each of their last five meetings, with NYCFC winning their last clash 2-0 on home soil on April 20. None of the last nine games between the sides have finished level.

D.C. have won four of their last five regular-season matches (one defeat) after only winning three of their previous 22 in league action (eight draws, 11 losses).

However, they could come unstuck here against an NYCFC team with just two defeats in their last eight road games (excluding penalty shoot-outs, one win, five draws).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

D.C. United – 32.4% 

New York City – 42.1%

Draw – 25.5%

Troy Lesesne is only looking up as D.C. United look to continue their playoff push against the Chicago Fire on Saturday, having won three of their last four games in MLS to close on the wild-card spots.

D.C. beat Toronto FC 3-1 last time out, with Dominique Badji and Gabriel Pirani netting late on to decide a game that remained level with 88 minutes played.

Lesesne's team are now 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, three points clear of 14th-placed Chicago and two adrift of Atlanta United in the final wild-card place.

"We're not going to back down," Lesesne said. "We still realise there's a lot to play for in 2024, but while there's an opportunity, we have to make the most of it.

"When it goes 1-1 like that, you have a choice. But for us, it's never a choice. We're going to keep trying to push."

Chicago, meanwhile, saw their own playoff hopes dented by a 4-1 defeat to pacesetters Inter Miami last time out, with Luis Suarez netting twice for the Herons.

Boss Frank Klopas knows the Fire have no time to dwell on that result, saying: "We have to rebound. With the performance, we could have been better against Miami, but I just felt the mistakes we made cost us.

"We let the game get out of hand. It's just about keeping things tight, not giving up more than one goal per game, because we will always get opportunities. 

"Now every game, we've talked about the importance of it. Other than Miami every game is against someone fighting for those spots in the playoffs.

"We'll prepare well this week and make the right decisions about who we put out on the field."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire – Georgios Koutsias 

Koutsias came off the bench to score the Fire's lone goal in their defeat to Miami last Saturday. 

Three of Chicago's last seven MLS goals have been scored by substitutes after only one of the club's first 26 regular-season goals in 2024 were netted by substitutes.

D.C. United – Gabriel Pirani

D.C., meanwhile, had three substitutes score in their victory over Toronto last time out, including Pirani.

Pirani has three goals in MLS this season, with only Christian Benteke – the league's leading scorer with 17 – outperforming him for D.C.

MATCH PREDICTION – CHICAGO FIRE WIN

Chicago have failed to win any of their last five matches in all competitions (one draw, four losses), following their 4-1 home defeat to Miami last time out.

They have scored in each of those games, though, and might fancy their chances of a different result against a D.C. team with just three wins in 18 away league games (seven draws, eight losses), a run that dates back to early July 2023.

Chicago are unbeaten in nine straight home matches against D.C. (three wins, six draws), last losing to them on their own turf in June 2015. This is their longest active home unbeaten run against any team in regular-season play.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire – 44%

D.C. United – 29.2%

Draw – 26.8%

D.C. United coach Troy Lesesne has called on his team to seize their opportunity to close the gap to fellow playoff hopefuls Toronto FC when they visit BMO Field on Saturday.

D.C. prop up the Eastern Conference standings with 26 points from as many games this term, but the congested nature of the table means they are within two points of a wild-card place.

Toronto currently occupy the first of those places, sitting five points clear of D.C. having played one additional game, and Lesesne knows that fact gives Saturday's matchup additional importance.

"We're all well aware of the table and we do try to bring that into view for the players," Lesesne said.

"But also, with eight games left, there's a lot still to be played for. This week, we have another opportunity right in front of us.

"We have to stick to what we want to do as a team. We have Toronto this week, they're in eighth place and a few points ahead of us, so closing that gap has to be our focus right now."

Toronto have won both of their matches since returning from the Leagues Cup break, beating the Houston Dynamo 1-0 in MLS last week then triumphing 1-0 versus Forge in the Canadian Championship semi-finals on Wednesday.

Youngster Kosi Thompson has impressed in central midfield for the Reds lately despite coming through the ranks as a winger, and he now has one eye on making it on the international scene.

"I've learned that it's a man's game," Thompson said. "I was born in Toronto, and it's one of the biggest hotspots in Canada for football, so I would love to represent the national team. 

"It's just about being patient and putting the work in to get there."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Toronto FC – Federico Bernardeschi 

Bernardeschi (eight goals, eight assists) is the fourth player in Toronto's MLS history to record at least eight goals and eight assists in a single regular-season campaign, after Sebastian Giovinco (four times), Alejandro Pozuelo and Victor Vazquez (twice apiece).

D.C. United – Christian Benteke 

Benteke headed home D.C. United's opening goal as they lost 4-3 to FC Dallas last week, his 11th headed goal in regular-season play, more than any other D.C. player over the last 15 MLS seasons.

MATCH PREDICTION – TORONTO FC WIN

Toronto have only lost one of their last seven home matches against D.C. (four wins, two draws, including playoffs), including winning the last two in a row. 

Toronto have never won three straight home matches against D.C. United, but after recording two straight shutout wins in regular-season play for the second time this term, could they achieve that feat here?

D.C. won 3-2 at Minnesota United on their last away outing in MLS, but that is their only road win in the competition since early May, losing four and drawing one of their last six.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

Toronto FC – 43.5%

D.C. United – 29.7%

Draw – 26.8%

Peter Luccin has likened training to a “new environment” as FC Dallas’ break from action has given a chance for injured players to return ahead of their clash with D.C. United.

Dallas fell to a disappointing group stage exit in the Leagues Cup but it could be a blessing in disguise for interim coach Luccin as it has allowed rest for an injury-hit squad.

Jesus Ferreira, Asier Illarramendi and Alan Vesco have all returned to action during the break.

Luccin feels those comebacks have sparked a change in attitude among his squad on the training ground.

“To have all of those players back is very important for us. That practice environment is good because everybody is pushing more, everybody wants to play,” he said. “All that new environment for us is beautiful. It's very good.”

Dallas' renewed impetus will also be aided by two new arrivals, right-back Ruan and midfielder Manuel Cafumana, who join Luccin’s roster.

Both sides remain within reach of the play-off positions in their respective leagues but Dallas will have to overturn pre-season form to earn all three points.

United claimed victory in a friendly in February, but Luccin is unfazed by their past encounter.

“A preseason game is totally different. You know the intensity isn’t the same. Everyone is coming and playing with heavier legs and there are no fans in the stadium,” insisted Luccin.

“We didn’t even talk about that game. I’m more concerned about what they did in their last three or four games.”

The Black-and-Red fared little better than Dallas in the Leagues Cup, losing in the round of 32 to Mazatlan. Prior to that, they had just secured their first two wins after going winless for eleven games.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

DC United – Christian Benteke

The Belgian striker is United’s top scorer this season with 16 goals to his name, 13 more than any of his team-mates.

He has scored seven headed goals this season, tied with Cristian Arango for the most in MLS in 2024.

Dallas – Petar Musa

Petar Musa has scored in each of his last four MLS appearances. The only FC Dallas player to score in five straight league matches in a single regular season since 2010 was Paul Arriola in 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION: DC UNITED WIN

Dallas are winless in 12 regular-season away matches in 2024 (D4 L8), the longest run without a win on the road in the club’s history. Along with St. Louis City SC, they are one of two teams without an away win this regular season.

In contrast to Dallas’ poor form, D.C. United recorded their first set of consecutive wins in a single regular season since a three-match winning run in April 2023 with their two recent wins. D.C. had won only two of their previous 17 regular-season matches before that.

This will be United’s first home match against FC Dallas since October 2018. D.C. won the last meeting between the sides, 1-0, in Dallas in 2023 but have not won consecutive regular-season matches against Dallas since 1999—2000 (three straight).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

DC United – 38.7%

Draw – 26.5%

Dallas – 34.7%

D.C. United head coach Troy Lesesne says his side deserved the win that snapped their winless streak as they aim to keep their momentum against Minnesota United.

D.C. were on an 11-match winless run, losing eight, including a heavy 5-0 thrashing at Orlando City before their 2-1 comeback win against Nashville on Saturday.

The victory lifted them to 12th in the Eastern Conference, and another win could put them in touching distance of the playoffs.

Lesesne was pleased to finally put their torrid run behind them, saying: "I try to stay away from really obvious statements, but everyone knows the last couple of months haven't been what we wanted.

"There's performances in there, but we didn't see three points. There were so many individual performances that willed that to happen, and they've been fighting, they deserve this."

Meanwhile, Minnesota snapped their six-match losing streak with a 1-1 draw against Houston Dynamo at the weekend.

The Loons moved into ninth in the Western Conference, though they still remain without a win in any of their last eight MLS outings.

However, head coach Eric Ramsay remained optimistic and is keen to build on the result to get them back in contention.

"It was a really important point," Ramsay said.

"I'm incredibly pleased with the application of the players, their aggression, their intent to spot the run we're on at the moment, so we take a lot from that."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Minnesota United – Robin Lod

Robin Lod scored his sixth goal of the season in Minnesota's draw on Saturday, his fourth season with at least six goals.

No other player in the team's MLS history has more than two seasons with six or more goals.

D.C. United – Cristian Dajome

Cristian Dajome's brace in D.C. United's win over Nashville on Saturday was the seventh multi-goal game by a D.C. United player since the start of the 2023 season, but the first by somebody other than Christian Benteke.

MATCH PREDICTION: MINNESOTA UNITED WIN

The home side have won all five meetings between Minnesota and D.C., with the last meeting a 2-0 home win for the Loons in 2022. Minnesota have outscored D.C., 7-0, in their three meetings at home.

Minnesota United ended their club-record six-match losing streak with a 1-1 draw against Houston on Saturday but remain winless in eight straight (drawn two, lost six), the longest regular-season winless run in the team's MLS history.

Meanwhile, D.C. snapped their 11-match winless run with a 2-1 victory over Nashville on Saturday. D.C. have not won consecutive matches within a single season since a four-match winning run in April 2023.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Minnesota United – 54.2%

Draw – 23.5%

D.C. United – 22.3%

D.C. United head coach Troy Lesesne insisted his players must be "ready to fight" to halt their winless streak ahead of their meeting with Nashville SC this weekend.

The Black-and-Red were beaten 5-0 by Orlando City last time out, extending their losing run to 11 MLS matches, which leaves them rooted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference table.

D.C.’s last triumph came back in May against Atlanta United courtesy of Christian Benteke’s hat-trick.

Lesesne said his players will regroup once again, going on to explain that no one will feel sorry for his side during their baron spell of results.

“We’re in a tough spot right now, there is no doubt about it,” Lesesne said. “I think the last eight matches, there’s got to be more from us to get us out of this spot and be able to get us into a winning position.

“We have a lot of work to do and there are many things that we have to address.

“Nashville are a team that are going to be another challenge and we have to, right now, regroup in a big way.

“We have to understand that no one is going to feel sorry for us and we have got to get ready to fight.”

Nashville also find themselves enduring a losing streak of their own.

The Coyotes are without a win in their last three MLS fixtures as they were comfortably beaten 4-1 by Portland Timbers in their most recent league encounter.

The Timbers found themselves four goals to the good in just 29 minutes at Providence Park, marking the fifth time that they had conceded four goals in a match this season.

Nashville’s defeat leaves them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. In a battle between two of the division’s out of form sides, a win for either will be crucial to get their respective campaigns back on track.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

D.C. United – Christian Benteke

With D.C. experiencing a difficult spell, the goals and experience of Christian Benteke will be pivotal in achieving a long-awaited victory.

Benteke is the Black-and-Reds’ top scorer with 14 goals in 19 appearances this season, equalling his best tally for the club (14 goals in 2023) in 22 fewer outings.

Nashville are one of only eight teams the Belgian is yet to score against since his move to the MLS in 2022, and he will be keen to add to his tally this weekend.

Nashville SC – Sam Surridge

Sam Surridge scored Nashville’s only goal against Portland Timbers last time out, ending a run of two games without a goal following his brace against Toronto FC.

Surridge is the club’s top scorer this season with 10 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions, and without the attacking threat of Jacob Shaffelburg, he will be key in the attacking areas for Nashville.

MATCH PREDICITION: NASHVILLE WIN

Nashville come into the contest with D.C. United unbeaten in their previous six encounters (W4 D2). But they will be hopeful of ending their winless run at Audi Field, with both of those draws coming at the home of the Black-and-Red.

The Coyotes, however, are enduring a winless streak of their own. They have lost three consecutive league matches, allowing eight goals in those games. Nashville had lost only two of its previous 11 league games (W5 D4), conceding just seven total times in that span.

D.C. United’s winless run reached 11 matches (D3 L8) following their defeat at Orlando City on Saturday. This is the longest winless run in MLS this season and D.C.’s third-longest in a single regular season (12 and straight, both in 2013).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

D.C. United – 32.7%

Draw – 25.5%

Nashville SC – 41.8%

D.C. United head coach Troy Lesesne has praised his side for "still fighting" as they look to turn their poor results around against Orlando City.

D.C. sit bottom of the Eastern Conference on 20 points, four off the playoffs.

They have not won any of their last 10 MLS matches, with their last victory coming nearly two months ago against Atlanta United.

Lesesne was candid about the mistakes his team has made in recent games but was confident they would be able to dig themselves out of trouble.

"Our group's not giving in, that's clear everyone can see that," Lesesne said. "But we're not getting the points we need.

"We've got to credit the group for continuing through really hard circumstances to say we're still fighting every single second.

"But we have to do better - all of us. That's plain and simple.

"I'm right there with these guys all the way through and the same guys going through this now are going to get us out of it."

Meanwhile, Orlando sit four points above their opponents in 10th, having lost just one of their four matches.

After getting back to winning ways against Atlanta, head coach Oscar Pareja praised his side’s confidence.

"They demonstrated the commitment that they have with the club. So, we're very proud of these results and the effort they had in the pitch," Pareja said.

"We're happy. This is a good step for us in this moment. Now we're looking forward to going back home and then winning there."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Orlando City – Facundo Torres

Despite not getting on the scoresheet against Toronto FC, Facundo Torres did orchestrate the match-winning moment as his cross was turned in by Nicksoen Gomis.

He scored a brace in his last match at Inter & Co Stadium and will be keen to get more on Saturday.

D.C. United – Christian Benteke

Christian Benteke will return after a two-match suspension (one for a straight red card against Houston Dynamo and the other for yellow card accumulation).

D.C. have not won either of those games and will be pleased to have their top-scorer, with 14 goals, back on the field.

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN

Orlando's 4-2 win over the Chicago Fire in their last home match snapped a six-game winless streak at Inter & Co, having also failed to score in all but two outings in that run.

D.C. have won 10 of their 20 matches against Orlando (drawn three and lost seven), but given their current run of form, they look unlikely to get a surprise win here.

D.C.'s last victory was in a road game when they beat Atlanta 3-2. Since then, they have only picked up one point on their travels (a 2-2 draw with New York Red Bulls in their last such match).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 58.2%

Draw – 21.8%

D.C. United – 20.1%

Pat Noonan believes it was important for FC Cincinnati's confidence to keep a clean sheet at FC Dallas last time out, saying fans must trust the process ahead of their midweek trip to D.C United.

Cincinnati claimed their sixth straight road victory last time out by a 1-0 scoreline, returning to winning ways following a 2-1 defeat at home to the New England Revolution.

The Supporters' Shield holders are just two points behind this year's pacesetters Inter Miami despite their squad going through something of an overhaul in pre-season.

While Noonan is pleased with his team's defensive resilience, he also feels there is much more to come.

"We've lost a couple of key pieces and we're trying to find our best group each game. We're still trying to find answers," Noonan said. 

"No question it was important for the confidence of the group… but also not weathering the storm for 90 minutes and just conceding chance after chance, that wasn't the case.

"It's going to be a game-by-game process. 

"I hate to say the word process, but with a particular group of players trying to get better and understand the relationships and the roles, we have to figure out a way to continue to be strong with what we have."

D.C., meanwhile, are 13th in the East after going nine games without a win, though they did avoid a fourth straight loss by drawing 2-2 with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

Asked how he felt after that game, coach Troy Lesesne said: "No mixed emotions. I'm incredibly proud of the group, they showed the kind of character and integrity that we want to have under challenging circumstances.

"They fought, and I think that is exactly what is necessary for us to get ourselves into a better position in the table.

"There's a long way to go in 2024 and we're going to keep fighting."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

D.C. United – Pedro Santos 

Santos scored D.C. United's second goal in their 2-2 draw with the Red Bulls from a direct free-kick.

It was just the second direct free-kick goal for the club in the last five years, with Yordy Reyna scoring the other one against Atlanta United in August 2021.

FC Cincinnati – Luca Orellano

Orellano netted his fifth goal of the season last time out as Cincinnati got back to winning ways in Dallas. 

Only Luciano Acosta (nine) and Yuya Kubo (seven) have more in MLS for the team this year.

MATCH PREDICTION: FC CINCINNATI WIN

D.C. United are winless in nine straight matches, drawing three and losing six. They last had a longer winless run in regular-season play in 2013 and 2014, a 15-match span that included 12 games without a win to end the 2013 campaign.

Cincinnati are excellent travellers and enter this match as big favourites.

They are the third team in the post-shootout era (since 2000) to win six straight on the road in regular-season MLS play, and could tie the record of seven with another victory here, set by CF Montreal from July to October 2022. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

D.C. United – 22.4%

FC Cincinnati – 55.5%

Draw – 22.1%