D.C. United with six-game streak over

D.C. United head into their MLS Eastern Conference clash with Charlotte FC looking to get back on track, and head coach Rene Weiler has urged his side to take a more front-footed approach in pursuit of a first goal.

D.C. lost 3-0 to the New England Revolution in their last match, a defeat that ended a run of six games without defeat. But that streak included just one victory (D5), and D.C. have now conceded first in each of their last three outings.

Still occupying a playoff place in ninth spot in the Eastern Conference, Weiler acknowledged the importance of avoiding falling behind if his team want to stay in a strong position.

We wish to score the first goal ourselves, but what we can do is try to be more efficient to do that. But it happens, and maybe it will turn into one, two, three, four, five next games, but it's always the aim to score the first goal, and it doesn't turn out at the moment.

Charlotte buoyed despite Toronto frustration

Charlotte sit three places above D.C. in the East and are five points better off than their weekend opponents. The Crown arrive on the back of a disappointing 3-3 draw with Toronto FC, having let a two-goal lead slip against 10 men.

Head coach Dean Smith conceded the result felt like a loss, but he still found plenty of positives in Charlotte's midweek performance.

Lots of positives to take away. We were the better team [against Toronto], created opportunities, caused them problems. We kept the ball really well and caused more problems, but we've just got to make sure we keep our focus in moments and not concede the goals we did.

Players to watch

Rodolfo Aloko became the second teenager to score an MLS goal for Charlotte when he netted his team's opener at Toronto, aged 19 years and 236 days. The other teenager to score for Charlotte was Adam Armour (19y 167d) in the first goal of the team's history in March 2022.

For D.C., Sean Johnson made four saves against New England, taking him to 74 saves across 20 MLS matches in 2026. His 3.7 saves per match would be the highest average of any of his 17 MLS regular seasons.

Match prediction and win probability

The prediction points towards a Charlotte win. Charlotte have won four straight regular-season meetings with D.C., completing the league double in both 2024 and 2025. The only side Charlotte have beaten five straight times in regular-season play is the Chicago Fire (2022-24).

After beating Columbus Crew 3-1 on Sunday, Charlotte's three goals in the Toronto draw marked the third time in club history they have scored three or more goals in consecutive league matches. D.C., by contrast, had scored in 11 straight matches before the 3-0 home loss to New England, and have not won any of their last 15 MLS matches that immediately followed being held scoreless.

According to match data, the win probability stands at D.C. 24.4% against Charlotte 52.5%, with a 23.1% chance of a draw.