Major League Soccer 2023-24: Orlando City vs DC United: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Two MLS Eastern Conference sides separated by three points fight it out.

After reaching the MLS Cup playoffs and dropping out in the first round last season, Orlando City have experienced a mixed start to the new campaign, in which they are yet to establish any real consistency. Orlando City have won its last two away matches but is winless in four straight at home in all competitions (D2 L2), including losing the last two.

Orlando have just two three-match home losing streaks in all competitions, doing so within its first four home matches in 2015 and in May-June 2018.

Orlando were left disappointed by two defeats in the previous three games, leaving them on eight points from six matches. The Florida outfit most recently travelled to take on Minnesota United last weekend, and they would again make a return to winning ways, despite going 1-0 down.

While they will know they are far from their best at present, having not yet strung two victories together this term, Orlando City will be encouraged by the fact that they do reside in the playoff spots at this early stage of the campaign and will now be keen to put a run of results together, starting with a second straight win this weekend.

DC United did make a winning start to the MLS campaign against Toronto in February, but they would then fail to put another victory on the board in the next six attempts. In that spell, Wayne Rooney's men added just two points to their tally, courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Saturday's opponents.

Chris Durkin levelled the score for DC United in the 80th minute after McGuire put Orlando ahead, and a goalless stalemate against Chicago Fire. The rut culminated in a 2-0 defeat at home to Columbus Crew. D.C. United snapped a six-match winless run with a 1—0 win at Montreal on Saturday.

D.C. have not won consecutive MLS matches since the first two games of the 2022 season while the last time it won two straight-away matches within a single season was in October 2020.

Keen to put an end to their concerning run, with just five points on the board from seven league games, the Black-and-Red most recently travelled to take on CF Montreal last weekend, and after Lewis O'Brien put them ahead at the beginning of the second half, Rooney's side stood strong to see out a crucial victory.

Kick-off

Saturday, 22-04-2023, 07:30 pm (ET)

Sunday, 23-04-2023, 05:00 am (IST)

Stadium: Exploria Stadium

Location: Orlando, USA

Orlando City Form (In All Competitions): W- L- W- L- D

DC United Form (In All Competitions): W- L- D- L- L

Player to watch

Orlando City: Martin Ojeda

The Argentina midfielder has been involved in 03 goals this season, scoring 2 goals and 1 assist, and is turning out to be one of the prospective players for Orlando City of the season. His presence on the pitch makes a difference whether it is Orlando City Defending or going forward with the attack.

It’s too early in the season but City would already be having a lot of hops from this midfielder as he seems to be in bright form at the moment and will be eager to produce another top-notch performance against the visiting team.

DC United: Christian Benteke

The former Premier League striker has already found the back of the net 3 times this season and further will be looking to return to his striking role. The Belgian is still trying to make himself feel at home on American soil followed by his move from England to the USA last season. 

He has shown his attacking prowess but hasn’t been able to capitalize on performances. Wayne Rooney is surely trying to build a team around him given his skills and attributes, he can make DC United a playoff contention team.

Match Facts for Orlando City vs DC United

• Orlando City and D.C. United played out a 1—1 draw on March 11 in Orlando. D.C. has lost only two of its last 10 meetings with Orlando City in all competitions (W5 D3) dating back to 2018, with the five wins equaling D.C.'s most against any MLS opponent in that time (Columbus).
• Ten of the 11 players named in Orlando City's starting lineup for its victory over Minnesota United on Saturday were South Americans. It was the first time in MLS history that 10 South American players were named in a single starting XI.

Injury and Team News for Orlando City vs DC United

Orlando City: Injury: Favian Loyola (Hamstring Injury) is out with an injury to his hamstring.

DC United: Injury: Nigel Robertha (Ankle Injury) He has missed 08 matches due to his ankle problems and will be sidelined for this match as well.

Martín Rodríguez (Cruciate Ligament Rupture) The midfielder has been sidelined since February and his injury appears to be more serious than originally thought.

Brendan Hines-Ike (Foot Injury) He has missed 02 matches due to his foot injury and could be sidelined more a few more weeks.

Head to Head stats

Matches – 19

Orlando City – 07

DC United – 09

Draws – 03

Predicted Lineups for Orlando City vs DC United

Orlando City Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1)

Gallese; Smith, Schlegel, Jansson, Petrasso; Martins, Araujo; Ojeda, Pereyra, Angulo; McGuire

DC United Predicted Lineup (4-4-2)

Miller; Palsson, Pines, Birnbaum, Jeahze; Teixeira, Canouse, O'Brien, Klich; Benteke, Fountas

Match Prediction

Both teams had an average start to the season where DC United will be revitalized following their return to winning ways last time out, and with more quality than the recent winless run suggests, we think they have enough to pick up a result away at an Orlando City side who are yet to reach their full potential this term.  

Prediction: Orlando City 2 – 2 DC United

Telecast

India: No Live Telecast available

USA – Apple TV