MLS Match Preview: New York City FC (13-8-5) vs. D. C. United (4-15-9)

Weather Outlook

Forecast at Kickoff: ~74°F (23°C), clear skies, humidity ~58%, light SW winds 5–7 mph

Impact: Ideal summer evening; fast pitch conditions; minimal wind effect on ball trajectory

Injury & Availability Report

New York City FC

Out: Keaton Parks (leg), Nico Cavallo (leg), Malachi Jones (leg)

Notes: Captain Thiago Martins returned last match from surgery; Alonso Martínez in red-hot form with 14 goals

D.C. United

Out: Kristian Fletcher (knee), Lukas MacNaughton (thigh), Caden Clark (head), Peglow (thigh), Randall Leal (leg)

Available: Christian Benteke, Boris Enow return from suspension; Jackson Hopkins chasing club record for goals in 3 straight matches by youngest player

Projected Starting XIs

NYCFC (4-2-3-1)
Freese (GK); Gray, Martins, Haak, O’Toole; O’Neill, Perea; Wolf, Moralez, N. Fernández; Martínez

D.C. United (4-2-3-1)
Barraza (GK); Antley, Bartlett, Rowles, Schnegg; Enow, Peltola; Herrera, Pirani, Kijima; Benteke

Key Player Matchups

Adrian Alonso Martínez (NYCFC) vs. Brendan Hines-Ike/Bartlett (DC) – Martínez has scored in 3 straight MLS matches; thrives on diagonal runs behind CBs.

Maxi Moralez (NYCFC) vs. Boris Enow (DC) – Moralez’s vision (6 assists) against DC’s ball-winning midfielder.

Christian Benteke (DC) vs. Thiago Martins (NYCFC) – Benteke’s aerial dominance vs. Martins’ physical marking.

Hannes Wolf (NYCFC) vs. Gaoussou Samake/Schnegg (DC) – Wolf’s 1v1 dribbling could stretch DC’s left side.

Recent Team Form

New York City FC – Last 6 MLS: W W W D W W

5-match unbeaten run; 3 straight home wins; conceded just 1 goal in last 3 matches

Wins over top East sides Cincinnati & Nashville show defensive solidity (30 GA, 2nd-best in East)

D.C. United – Last 6 MLS: D D L L L L

Winless in last 11 league matches (0-8-3)

Scored just 0.7 goals per game in that span; fewest goals in MLS (24) and most conceded in East (53)

Series History

All-Time (MLS): NYCFC leads 13W – 7W DC – 3D

At Yankee Stadium: NYCFC 8W – 0L – 2D vs. DC; outscored them 29–10

Recent: Last meeting (May 14, 2025) ended 0–0 at Audi Field; NYCFC has scored multiple goals in 5 of last 6 home meetings

Betting Trends

NYCFC: 10-1-4 as favorite; 3 straight home wins; no home draws in last 19 matches in all comps

DC United: 2-10-8 vs. East; 1-1-1 as +440 or longer underdog; 15 of 28 matches Over 2.5 goals

H2H Totals: Over 2.5 in 4 of last 6; NYCFC scored 2+ in 5 of last 6 home H2Hs