Orlando City (home)
- Orlando have won two and lost three of their last five games, but they've won their last two at home.
- Orlando are 15th in MLS 2026 with 37 points from 28 games, while D.C. United are 26th with 30 points from 27, so neither side has distinguished themselves this season.
- Orlando have won eight of their 14 home games in MLS 2026, losing twice and drawing four, so they will arrive in good spirits having just beaten Columbus Crew 3-2 at home after a disappointing 4-2 defeat away at Philadelphia Union.
D.C. United (away)
- D.C. United are in poor form, winless in their last 5 (D2, L3) and they arrive at the Inter&Co Stadium on the back of a two-game losing run.
- They drew 3-3 away at Vancouver Whitecaps, but then were beaten 1-0 by SC Paderborn 07, and more recently lost 4-0 away to Inter Miami, so the goals have dried up.
Key Players
- Martin Ojeda has netted 13 goals in 21 MLS 2026 appearances for Orlando, but Ivan Angulo has chipped in with four of their 11 goals in their last five matches.
- D.C. United do have a goal-scorer in Tai Baribo (14 goals in 20 appearances), so I cannot see them being completely out of the game.
Betting Insights
- Orlando City are the favourites here at 1.73, with D.C. United (Washington) at 3.85 and the draw at 4.33, which is a bit of a surprise to me.
- So, the better alternative bet here is Both Teams to Score: Yes at 1.4, which is a good price given Orlando's firepower and D.C.'s ability to nick goals and over 2.5 goals at 1.38 is another way to back a relatively open, exciting game, rather than a cagey matchup, which is the more obvious play with these two clubs.
Prediction
- This has all the hallmarks of a classic attack vs defence matchup, but I'm expecting Orlando to just have a little more punch in the final third to edge this one.
- The styles of these two coaches, Martin Perelman (Orlando) and Rene Weiler (D.C. United) are polar opposites, with Perelman's men looking to play at a higher tempo and get on the front foot and press the opposition whereas Weiler's men are narrow, disciplined and look to frustrate their opponents and nick it on the counter.