DC United vs. Orlando City SC | 2019 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

2019 MLS Regular Season — Week 17
D.C. United vs. Orlando City SC
Audi Field — Washington D.C.
June 26 — 8:00 PM ET

STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada

For the first time in nearly a month, D.C. United and Orlando City SC return to league play when the Eastern Conference rivals meet at Audi Field Wednesday night.

Winless in their last five MLS matches, four of which were draws, D.C. United (7-4-6) are looking to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to New York City FC in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 June 18 at Audi Field. Wayne Rooney put the hosts in front on 32 minutes, but Alexandru Mitrita leveled six minutes later and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi scored the decisive goal in the 41st minute.

Orlando City SC (5-7-3) advanced to the USOC quarterfinals, where they will host NYCFC, after beating the New England Revolution, 2-1, in extra-time at Exploria Stadium. Benji Michel broke the deadlock with his first professional goal in the 96th minute and Tesho Akindele made it 2-0 five minutes later. Justin Rennicks pulled the Revs to within a goal in the 117th minute, but the Lions held on.

This is the second regular-season meeting this year, with Rooney setting up a goal by Steve Birnbaum and adding an insurance tally of his own to help lift the Black-and-Red to a 2-1 win in Orlando.

D.C. United

Injury Report:
- OUT: Oniel Fisher (D) - knee surgery
- OUT: Chris Odoi-Atsem (D) - hip injury
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: Paul Arriola (M), Júnior Moreno (M)

Orlando City SC

Injury Report:
- OUT: Cristian Higuita (M) - hamstring injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Adam Grinwis (GK) - quad injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Joao Moutinho (D) - quad injury
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: Robin Jansson (D)
International duty: Kamal Miller (D), Will Johnson (M), Jhegson Méndez (M), Danilo Acosta (D); Greg Ranjitsingh (GK)