DC United vs Columbus Crew preview: next match details & prediction

The next DC United match is a home clash against Columbus Crew in the Major League Soccer Regular Season - 24. The fixture is scheduled to kick off on 9 September 2026 at Audi Field in Washington, with the status currently listed as Not Started. This DC United vs Columbus Crew preview looks at kick-off time, venue, standings, form, head to head and a data-led prediction.

Both sides are locked in a tight battle in the Eastern Conference standings. DC United sit just ahead of Columbus Crew, but only two points separate the teams going into this round. With the season moving into its later stages, this meeting at Audi Field could have a significant impact on their push to climb the conference table.

Match details: date, kick-off & venue

• Competition: Major League Soccer, Regular Season - 24
• Date / Kick-off: 2026-09-09T23:30:00Z
• Venue: Audi Field, Washington
• Status: Not Started (Fixture has not started yet)

Standings & form

In the 2026 Major League Soccer Eastern Conference standings, DC United are currently 12th with 25 points from 22 matches. Their overall record reads 5 wins, 10 draws and 7 defeats, with 28 goals scored and 36 conceded, giving a goal difference of -8. At Audi Field, DC United have played 11 times, recording 3 wins, 4 draws and 4 losses, scoring 15 and conceding 22. Their recent form line is DLLDD, underlining a run of draws and defeats that they will be desperate to halt at home.

Columbus Crew arrive in Washington sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference, just behind DC United, with 23 points from 23 games. Their record stands at 6 wins, 5 draws and 12 losses, with 34 goals for and 39 against, a goal difference of -5. Away from home, Columbus have struggled: in 11 road matches they have managed just 1 win, 3 draws and 7 defeats, scoring 17 and conceding 25. Their current form string is WLLLL, showing one win followed by a sequence of losses, which makes this trip to Audi Field a chance to reset but also a test of resilience.

From the broader season statistics, DC United have kept 5 clean sheets (2 at home, 3 away) but have failed to score in 7 matches. Columbus Crew have registered 4 clean sheets, all at home, and have failed to score 3 times. DC United have converted 4 out of 4 penalties this season, while Columbus have scored 3 of their 4 penalties. Both sides predominantly line up in a 4-4-2 shape according to their most-used formations.

Head-to-head

• 2025-07-19: Columbus Crew 2–1 DC United (Major League Soccer)
• 2025-03-29: DC United 1–2 Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer)
• 2024-09-28: DC United 2–2 Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer)
• 2024-04-06: Columbus Crew 1–1 DC United (Major League Soccer)
• 2023-04-08: DC United 0–2 Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer)

The recent head to head record in MLS tilts towards Columbus Crew. Across these five listed meetings, Columbus have recorded three wins, with DC United yet to win in that span, while two matches ended level (2–2 and 1–1). Notably, Columbus have twice come away from Audi Field with victories (2–1 and 2–0), underlining their confidence on this particular away trip despite their broader 2026 away struggles.

Team news & absences

DC United have at least one confirmed absentee for this fixture: G. Segal is listed as Missing Fixture due to a Leg Injury. In addition, K. Rowles is marked as Questionable with a Thigh Injury, so his involvement remains uncertain.

Columbus Crew face several injury concerns of their own. W. Abou Ali (Knee Injury), S. Bangoura (Ankle Injury) and R. Camacho (Foot Injury) are all listed as Missing Fixture and are not expected to feature. J. Thiare is noted as Questionable with a Leg Injury, leaving a decision on his participation closer to kick-off. These absences could influence squad depth and selection for the visitors.

Key players to watch

• T. Baribo (DC United) — 12 goals, 0 assists in MLS 2026

Prediction

The data-led DC United vs Columbus Crew prediction slightly favours the visitors avoiding defeat. The prediction model gives DC United a 10% chance of victory, with both the draw and Columbus Crew win each rated at 45%. The advised tip is a “Double chance: draw or Columbus Crew”, reflecting Columbus’s strong recent head to head record against DC United and the visitors’ edge in the overall comparison metrics, despite their poor away form this season.