DC United will be looking to end their four-game winless run and rise from the bottom of the MLS standings when they play host to Philadelphia Union at the Audi Field Stadium on Sunday.
Jim Curtin's men, on the other hand, head into the weekend on a run of two consecutive defeats away from home and will be looking to end this dry spell.
Match preview
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Wayne Rooney would have hoped for a more impressive start to life as manager of DC United as he has managed just one win from his opening five games at the helm.
The Manchester United legend, who guided the Black-and-Red to a late 2-1 victory over Orlando City in his first game in the dugout, has now failed to taste victory in four consecutive games.
DC United head into the weekend fresh off the back of a slender 1-0 defeat at the hands of MLS league leaders Los Angeles FC when the sides met at the Banc of California Stadium last Wednesday.
In a game where Steve Birnbaum received his marching orders, second-half substitute Kwadwo Opoku netted five minutes after coming on to hand the home side their third league win on the bounce.
DC United now return to their home turf where they will be aiming to make it three consecutive league games without defeat since picking up four straight victories back in September 2021.
Rooney's men have now picked up six wins, four draws and lost 15 of their 25 games to collect 22 points and sit rock-bottom in the Eastern Conference standings.
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Philadelphia Union, on the other hand, were sent crashing back down to earth last time out when they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of a resurgent Dallas side.
In an action-packed contest at the Toyota Stadium, Jesus Ferreira struck four minutes after the half-hour mark to break the deadlock before the Burn turned in a fine defensive performance to see out the win.
Prior to that, Curtin's side saw their five-game winning streak come to an end on August 7 when they fell to a 3-1 loss against FC Cincinnati before claiming a 4-1 victory over Chicago Fire a week later.
With 48 points from 26 games, Philadelphia Union are currently top of the Eastern Conference standings with a five-point lead over second-placed CF Montreal, who have one game in hand.
Their next task sees them square off against an opposing side who are winless in 15 of the last 20 meetings between the teams since 2013, picking up three draws and losing 13 — including a heavy 7-0 thrashing on July 9.
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Team News
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DC United will be without the services of veteran defender Birnbaum after the 31-year-old received his marching orders against Los Angeles FC last time out.
In his absence, USA international Donovan Pines should push for his 11th start of the season, forming a centre back partnership with fellow countryman Tony Alfaro.
On the injury front, the Black-and-Red remain without several key players down the spine of the team, as goalkeeper Bill Hamid and the defensive duo of Brad Smith and Jacob Greene all continue their spells on the sidelines.
Twenty-year-old defender Hayden Sargis has been out of action since May through a muscle injury, while Adrien Perez is currently recuperating from a foot injury that he sustained back in March.
Meanwhile, Cory Burke is a major doubt for Philadelphia Union after the Jamaican striker was forced off with an injury just before half time against Dallas last time out.
Should he fail to shake off his injury in time for this weekend's clash, Mikael Uhre, who has eight goals in 13 starting appearances this season, should come into the mix, teaming up with Julian Carranza and Daniel Gazdag in the final third.
Gazdag leads the visitors' goal involvements chart this season with 12 goals and three assists to his name so far, and the 26-year-old will certainly be one to keep an eye on.
DC United possible starting lineup:
Romo; Najar, Pines, Alfaro, Guediri; Morrison, Durkin, Palsson; Kamara, Berry, Rodriguez
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Harriel, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner; Flach, Bedoya, Martinez; Gazdag, Carranza, Uhre
We say: DC United 1-3 Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union have suffered a slump in recent weeks, losing two of their last three games since the start of August. However, next up is an opposing side who have managed just one win in their last 10 games. We predict a one-sided contest with Philadelphia coming away with a comfortable win.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
