Seeking consecutive victories for the first time in the 2025 MLS season, DC United host the Chicago Fire on Saturday at Audi Field.

Last weekend, the Black and Red edged FC Cincinnati 2-1, moving up to 12th in the Eastern Conference, four points below the Fire, who beat Orlando City 3-1.

Match preview

Coming off a four-point week, DC United have some renewed confidence as they play their first match in June on Saturday.

The Black and Red put together two fine performances against a surging New England Revolution team and one of the early Supporters’ Shield contenders in Cincinnati.

Troy Lesesne’s men are undefeated in league play this year when netting multiple times, dropping points in only two of those instances.

DC have dropped five points at Audi Field domestically this season when scoring the opening goal, losing one of those two games (2-1 to the Columbus Crew).

They have also failed to win three successive contests at Audi Field in this competition, their longest stretch without an MLS home win in 2025.

Since the start of 2022, DC are undefeated against Chicago, claiming at least a point on five consecutive occasions, including four points in two home games.

Following a minor setback at New York City FC (3-1 loss), the Fire got back on track last weekend, ending the month of May with a fifth win in their last six matches across all competitions.

This team have yet to lose a league contest this season when leading at the half, claiming maximum points on four of those five occasions.

If there is one predictable thing about Gregg Berhalter’s side in 2025, it is that you are likely to see plenty of goals scored in their matches.

Who scores the most in 90 minutes of those games, though, varies, with Chicago netting multiple goals in 10 league fixtures this year but also conceding two or more six times.

A year ago, this team won the joint-fewest away matches in the regular season, but their five MLS victories as the visitors this year are tied with the Philadelphia Union for the most in the league thus far.

The Fire have a 100% away record this season against teams with fewer points than them currently in this competition, while 20 of their 28 goals scored have come on the road.

Team News

Last Saturday, DC were without Garrison Tubbs and Lukas MacNaughton due to thigh strains, Jackson Hopkins and Kim Jun-hong had sore hips, while Christian Benteke was sidelined because of an ankle injury.

Five of their players received international call-ups, including Kye Rowles (Australia), Matti Peltola (Finland), Aaron Herrera (Guatemala), Kristian Fletcher (USA Under-20) and Boris Enow (Cameroon).

Gabriel Pirani netted their opener versus Cincy after just two minutes, with the winner coming courtesy of Conner Antley before the match was 20 minutes old.

Lower-body injuries kept Chase Gasper, Carlos Teran, and David Poreba out of the Chicago lineup against Orlando City while Chris Mueller was on paternity leave.

Four Fire players are on international duty, with Sergio Oregel Jr. and Christopher Cupps on the USA Under-20 and Under-17 sides, respectively, while Omari Glasgow is with Guyana and Chris Brady has joined the US senior team.

Philip Zinckernagel put them in front after five minutes last Saturday before Hugo Cuypers scored twice in one minute and 17 seconds, the fastest brace in club history.

DC United possible starting lineup:

Barraza; Antley, Dodson, Bartlett, Schnegg; Stroud, Servania, Zouhir; Pirani, Murrell, Kijima

Chicago Fire possible starting lineup:

Gal; Dean, Gonzalez, Elliott, Gutman; Kouame, Pineda, Acosta; Zinckernagel, Cuypers, Bamba