MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 18:26:27| >> :600:1881267:1881267:
[monks data]
New York City
Major League Soccer
Mar 18, 2023 at 11.30pm UK
Yankee Stadium
DC United

NY City
3 - 2
DC United

Magno (17'), Rodriguez (37'), Andrade (88')
Rodriguez (53'), Pellegrini (73')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Benteke (46'), Birnbaum (90')
Canouse (8'), Palsson (49'), Jeahze (58')

Preview: New York City FC vs. DC United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Major League Soccer clash between New York City FC and DC United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

New York City FC welcome Wayne Rooney's DC United to Yankee Stadium this weekend, with the two clubs locked on four points in the Eastern Conference.

It would not be unfair to say that both sides have made an indifferent start to the 2023 Major League Soccer season, meaning that Saturday's match already feels like a pivotal clash.


Match preview

New York City midfielder Gabriel Pereira (11) reacts after scoring a goal against the Chicago Fire during the first half at Soldier Field on March 4, 2023© Reuters

New York City picked up their first win of the season last time out as they claimed a 1-0 victory over Inter Miami, with Christopher McVey's first-half own goal proving to be the difference between the teams.

After suffering a 2-0 defeat to Nashville SC on the opening weekend, Nick Cushing's men were held to a 1-1 draw by Chicago Fire, so they will be glad to have their first win of 2023 on the board after edging out the Herons.

There is no hiding the fact that New York City have struggled for consistency during the early stages of the new campaign, but they will be hopeful of building on last weekend's victory when DC United come to town.

We should not forget that NYCFC clinched the MLS Cup in 2021 before reaching the Eastern Conference final last year, proving that they are still one of the strongest teams in the league.

DC United head coach Wayne Rooney during the first half against Toronto FC at Audi Field on February 25, 2023© Reuters

By contrast, DC United finished rock bottom of the Eastern Conference last season – 11 places and 28 points behind New York City – after winning just seven of their 34 matches.

The Black-and-Red also posted the worst offensive and defensive records in the entire league last year, scoring 36 goals while conceding 71 to finish with a sorry goal difference of -35.

That said, Wayne Rooney's men find themselves level on points with NYCFC after three games this season, having recorded a 3-2 victory over Toronto FC and a 1-1 draw with Orlando City, in addition to a 2-0 defeat to the Columbus Crew.

It is worth noting, however, that only basement-dwelling Charlotte FC have conceded more goals than Rooney's side this term, suggesting that DC United's defensive problems have not gone away.

New York City FC Major League Soccer form:
  • L
  • D
  • W

New York City FC form (all competitions):
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • W

DC United Major League Soccer form:
  • W
  • L
  • D

DC United form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • D


Team News

Gabriel Pereira celebrates scoring for New York City FC on October 9, 2022© Reuters

New York City FC have an injury-free squad at the moment, meaning that Nick Cushing has plenty of options to choose from in every department.

Having been signed as a Designated Player following a successful loan spell at NYCFC, Uruguayan playmaker Santiago Rodriguez will continue to support Brazilian forward Talles Magno in attack.

DC United will be without Brendan Hines-Ike (foot) and Martin Rodriguez (knee) this weekend, as the pair have joined Taxiarchis Fountas (thigh) on the club's injury list.

Fountas scored 12 goals in 21 appearances for the Black-and-Red last season, although former Liverpool, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke is an able deputy.

DC United also have ex-Leeds United midfielder Mateusz Klich in their ranks following his January move to Audi Field, with the 32-year-old scoring a debut goal for his new club in the 3-2 win against Toronto.

New York City FC possible starting lineup:
Barraza; Ilenic, Martins, Chanot, Cufre; Sands, Parks; Pereira, Rodriguez, Pellegrini; Magno

DC United possible starting lineup:
Miller; Teixeira, Birnbaum, Williams, Jeahze; Canouse, Klich; Durkin, Santos, Ku-DiPietro; Benteke


SM words green background

We say: New York City FC 2-1 DC United

Having tasted victory for the first time in 2023 last weekend, we expect New York City FC to secure back-to-back wins when DC United visit Yankee Stadium, while Rooney's side look set to concede more than one goal for the third time in four outings.

How to watch

You can watch New York City FC vs. DC United and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data


ID:509142:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9788:
Written by
Ben Morris

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!



Game History

How you voted: NY City vs DC United

New York City FC
62.5%
Draw
12.5%
DC United
25.0%
8
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Seattle Sounders FC forward Heber (19) celebrates after scoring a goal with teammates in the second half against the Colorado Rapids at Lumen Field on February 26, 2023
Read Next:
Saturday's Major League Soccer predictions including Seattle Sounders vs. Real Salt Lake
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!