DC United vs New York City FC Prediction: Both defenses will concede

On Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Audi Field, DC United will go head-to-head with New York City FC in an important MLS Eastern Conference matchup. Both teams are fighting to cement their place in the playoff positions. DC United comes into this fixture with 8 wins, 8 draws, and 12 losses, placing them 9th in the standings, while NYCFC is 5th with 11 wins, 6 draws, and 10 losses.

DC United has been doing pretty well in the last weeks, as they won three out of the last five. The last game was a win, away from home against Chicago Fire, 2-1 after a hard fight, with the goals from Christian Benteke and Gabriel Pirani. Even with this uptick of form, they've struggled to piece together a strong defensive record. They have conceded in each of their last four.

Head coach Troy Lesesne has called for a more balanced approach in recent games, but this team still relies heavily on direct attacks and set-pieces, first looking to find the towering forward, Christian Benteke. That aerial ability and strength make Benteke an important outlet in offensive transition. Gabriel Pirani creates an essential creative force, often coming into half-spaces to link play and provide service to Benteke.

DC has been fragile defensively, and the problem of conceding goals has been a setback all season. Often behind, their backline usually sits deep to defend from counter-attacks but always struggles when that pressure is sustained, especially against teams that press hard. The key for DC will be in tightening that defensive shape and making sure to win those duels within the midfield-a battle that might define the overall tempo of the game.

Meanwhile, NYCFC comes from a disappointing 4-2 defeat to Columbus Crew and stretched their losing streak to three games. However, they have been consistent with finding the back of the net as they scored in 6 consecutive games.

NYCFC manager Nick Cushing loves to implement possession-based football in his side. A common theme of their game is trying to dominate the ball and creating chances through patient build-up play. Players like Santiago Rodríguez and Alonso Martínez are pivotal in this transition from midfield into attack, while Monsef Bakrar does provide a direct threat in front of goal. Despite a recent form slump, NYCFC remains dangerous in attack, averaging multiple big chances per game.

But it has been the defense, particularly in transition, that has been the primary issue for NYCFC. Against Columbus in their last game, they proved vulnerable to counter-attacks and with DC's preference for direct play, this could be exposed once again. Lapses in concentration is another Achilles heel of NYCFC's defense, as they have conceded in 6 consecutive matches. It would be important for them to exercise tactical discipline, or else another defensive collapse may occur.

Historically, NYCFC has had the edge in this match-up, with total wins standing at 11 for NYCFC and 6 for DC United, with 3 games ending in draws.

Their last meeting was in April 2024, where NYCFC ran out 2-0 winners at home. That game exposed NYCFC's style of possession-based football and the vulnerability in defense that DC has shown thus far, as they controlled the pace of the match and restricted DC United to only a handful of attacking opportunities.

The result of this game could hinge on whichever team comes out on top in midfield. D.C. United will be looking to exploit NYCFC's weaknesses defensively with quick counter-attacks and set-pieces, while NYCFC will aim to dominate possession and force D.C. into a defensive shell. Recent inability to keep clean sheets and dealing with fast breaks - recent struggles for NYCFC - will make this a tough test, particularly against a DC side that has been efficient in taking their chances.

Other reasons may include the home advantage for DC United, who thus far have been inconsistent at home, with NYCFC’s poor away form with three consecutive losses, along with leaky defense that may give way to DC getting a result.

• Home Win/Draw & Over 1.5 Goals @ 1.72 Odds
• Home DNB @ 1.72 Odds
• Correct Score 2-2 @ 11.00 Odds