Austin FC
- Austin FC are 13th in MLS 2026 after drawing 2-2 at home to Minnesota United in their season opener, picking up one of an available three points.
- Estévez sets his side up in a hybrid 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 system that is designed to keep the ball and control the flow of the game.
- So far, it hasn’t worked that well with Austin claiming just 1 point from their opening match in MLS 2026.
- Brendan Hines-Ike is leading the club’s scoring charts with one goal so far, while Facundo Torres has already laid on one assist after one game of the campaign.
D.C. United
- D.C. United are 11th in MLS 2026 after earning a gritty 1-0 home win over Philadelphia Union in their opening match, picking up three points.
- Weiler’s influence on D.C. United is perhaps easier to discern so far as his pragmatic approach has seen the club move away from their relentless high pressing of recent years towards a more compact block that sets up quickly and looks to hit teams on the break.
- Tai Baribo has scored one goal so far in MLS 2026, but Peglow has caught the eye with one assist in his first league game of the season, providing some of the creative spark that the Black-and-Red have missed.
Head-to-Head
These two sides haven’t met since MLS 2023 when Austin FC ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at home, and this early-season match-up will serve as a good test of the progress that both Nico Estévez and René Weiler have made with their new teams during the offseason.
Key Players
- Austin FC
- Brendan Hines-Ike is leading the club’s scoring charts with one goal so far, while Facundo Torres has already laid on one assist after one game of the campaign.
- D.C. United
- Tai Baribo has scored one goal so far in MLS 2026, but Peglow has caught the eye with one assist in his first league game of the season, providing some of the creative spark that the Black-and-Red have missed.
Betting Insights
- Austin FC are 1.9 favorites to take the win on Sunday, with D.C. United priced up to 3.95.
- Both Teams to Score is available at 2.0, which is appealing given both teams will be looking to get forward and could be open at the back on occasion.
Prediction
Austin are averaging 2.00 goals scored and 2.00 conceded in MLS 2026 at Q2 Stadium, so the hosts should edge a tight game by a goal or so.
