[monks data]

Major League Soccer

Jul 5, 2023 at 1.30am UK

Toyota Stadium

Dallas
0 - 1
DC United

FT(HT: 0-0)

Fountas (73')
Canouse (28'), O'Brien (45+1'), Klich (90+11')

Preview: Dallas vs. DC United - prediction, team news, lineups

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 02 July 2023

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Major League Soccer clash between Dallas and DC United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Dallas will be bidding to make it back-to-back victories in MLS when they continue their campaign at home to DC United on Tuesday night.

The home side will enter the contest off the back of a 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC, while DC United suffered a 2-0 loss to Nashville SC in their last match.

Match preview

Dallas head coach Nico Estevez gestures during the second half on May 14, 2023 © Reuters

Dallas finished third in the Western Conference last season, ultimately being eliminated in the Conference semi-finals, while they are fifth in the Western Conference after 20 games of this campaign.

The Hoops have won eight, drawn five and lost seven of their 20 matches this season to collect 29 points, which has left them three points behind second-placed Los Angeles FC and six from leaders St Louis City.

Nico Estevez's side will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 victory over Los Angeles FC, with Bernard Kamungo making the breakthrough in the 56th minute of the match before Samuel Junqua doubled their advantage in the latter stages of the contest.

Dallas entered their last game off the back of successive losses to Portland Timbers and Austin FC but produced a strong performance to return to winning ways.

Toros have been in strong form on home soil this season, picking up 20 points from 10 matches, while DC United have collected 11 points from their 11 games on their travels.

DC United head coach Wayne Rooney walks off the pitch on June 24, 2023 © Reuters

DC United will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Nashville, with Wayne Rooney's side now losing three of their last four games in the MLS.

A record of seven wins, five draws and nine defeats from 21 matches has seen the team collect 26 points, which has left them in ninth position in the Eastern Conference.

DC United are two points clear of 10th-placed Charlotte, while they are three points behind seventh-placed Atlanta United but have played a game more than both sides.

The Black and Reds, who finished 14th in the Eastern Conference last season, have only been victorious in one of their last six MLS matches on their travels.

DC United have faced Dallas on 48 occasions during their history, winning 17 times and suffering 23 defeats, while there have also been eight draws between the two sides.

Dallas Major League Soccer form:

DC United Major League Soccer form:

Team News

DC United player Christian Benteke reacts before a pre-season MLS game against Charlotte FC at Empire Polo Club on February 1, 2023 © Reuters

Dallas will be without the services of Jesus Jimenez, Ema Twumasi, Paxton Pomykal, Tsiki Ntsabeleng, Paul Arriola and Tarik Scott through injury on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Sebastian Lletget remains a doubt for the home side due to a thigh problem.

Jesus Ferreira has been comfortably the team's main source of goals this season, finding the back of the net on 10 occasions in all competitions, and the 22-year-old could return to the side after missing the last two matches with a fitness issue.

As for DC United, Theodore Ku-DiPietro, Luis Zamudio, Mohanad Jeahze, Nigel Robertha and Martin Rodriguez are on the sidelines through injury.

Christian Benteke is the team's leading goalscorer this season with eight, and the forward will again feature in the final third of the field for Rooney's side.

Pedro Santos should keep hold of his position as the left-sided wing-back, while former Nottingham Forest midfielder Luke O'Brien will feature in the middle of the park for the visitors.

Dallas possible starting lineup:
Paes; Jesus, Ibeagha, Tafari, Farfan; Lletget, Quignon, Cerrillo; Junqua, Ferreira, Kamungo

DC United possible starting lineup:
Miller; Hines-Ike, Williams, Pines; Najar, Durkin, O'Brien, Santos; Dajome, Benteke, Klich

SM words green background

We say: Dallas 1-0 DC United

Dallas have been strong at home this season, winning six of their 10 matches, and we are expecting them to pick up another three points here. DC United were disappointing against Nashville last time out, and we are finding it difficult to back Rooney's side to pick up a positive result in this match.

How to watch

You can watch Dallas 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 over 2.5 goals 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.