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DC United vs Los Angeles FC preview: match details & prediction
The next DC United match sees them host Los Angeles FC in the Major League Soccer 2026 Regular Season - 22 at Audi Field in Washington. The fixture is scheduled to kick off on 29 August 2026, with a start time of 23:30 UTC. This DC United vs Los Angeles FC preview looks at kick-off time, venue, standings, form, head to head and a data-led prediction.
DC United come into this Eastern Conference campaign sitting 11th in their conference, while Los Angeles FC are pushing near the top end of the Western Conference in 3rd. With DC United trying to climb the standings and LAFC aiming to consolidate a promotion play-off position, this cross-conference clash at Audi Field has plenty riding on it as both teams enter the final stretch of the regular season.
Match details: date, kick-off & venue
- Competition: Major League Soccer, Regular Season - 22
- Date / Kick-off: 2026-08-29T23:30:00Z
- Venue: Audi Field, Washington
- Status: Not Started (Fixture has not started yet)
Standings & form
In the Eastern Conference, DC United are currently 11th with 24 points from 21 matches (5 wins, 9 draws, 7 defeats). They have scored 28 goals and conceded 36, giving a goal difference of -8. Their recent league form reads LLDDW, suggesting only one win in their last five outings. At Audi Field, DC United have played 10 league matches, recording 3 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses, with 15 goals for and 22 against. Away from home they have 2 wins, 6 draws and 3 defeats (13 scored, 14 conceded).
Los Angeles FC sit 3rd in the Western Conference on 35 points after 22 matches (10 wins, 5 draws, 7 losses). They have netted 36 times and allowed 22 goals, for a goal difference of +14. Their current form string is DLLDW, showing one win, two draws and two defeats across the last five. At home LAFC have been strong with 7 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses from 12 (23 scored, 11 conceded), while their away record stands at 3 wins, 3 draws and 4 defeats, scoring 13 and conceding 11.
Season statistics underline some key trends. DC United have kept 4 clean sheets and have failed to score 6 times, and they have converted all 4 penalties awarded to them. Los Angeles FC boast an impressive 11 clean sheets and have failed to score only 4 times, also maintaining a 100% penalty record (1 scored from 1). DC United have mainly lined up in a 4-4-2, while LAFC have alternated between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1, among other systems.
Head-to-head
- 2023-02-05: DC United 2–1 Los Angeles FC (Friendlies Clubs, Club Friendlies 3)
- 2022-08-17: Los Angeles FC 1–0 DC United (Major League Soccer, Regular Season - 36)
- 2019-04-06: DC United 0–4 Los Angeles FC (Major League Soccer, Regular Season - 6)
- 2018-05-27: Los Angeles FC 1–1 DC United (Major League Soccer, Regular Season - 15)
The four recorded meetings between these sides show a balanced but slightly LAFC-leaning picture. DC United claimed a 2–1 win in their most recent clash in February 2023 in a club friendly, while Los Angeles FC have two MLS victories in the series, including a comprehensive 4–0 success at Audi Field in April 2019 and a tight 1–0 home win in August 2022. The other encounter ended 1–1 in Los Angeles in 2018, underlining that this fixture can be competitive in either city.
Team news & absences
DC United will be without S. Hefti, who is listed as a Missing Fixture due to Yellow Cards. G. Segal is also ruled out with a Leg Injury. There is a fitness concern over K. Rowles, who is marked as Questionable with a Thigh Injury.
Los Angeles FC have several confirmed absentees. T. Hasal (Arm Injury), Igor Jesus (Knee Injury), D. Martinez (Leg Injury) and S. Palencia (Groin Injury) are all listed as Missing Fixture. In addition, T. Tillman is Questionable due to an unspecified Injury. These injuries could influence squad rotation and selection for the trip to Audi Field.
Key players to watch
- T. Baribo (DC United) — 12 goals, 0 assists in MLS 2026
- D. Bouanga (Los Angeles FC) — 11 goals, 4 assists in MLS 2026
- Son Heung-Min (Los Angeles FC) — 4 goals, 8 assists in MLS 2026
Prediction
The data-led DC United vs Los Angeles FC prediction model leans towards the visitors avoiding defeat. The algorithm’s outcome percentages give DC United a 10% chance of victory, with the draw at 45% and a Los Angeles FC win also at 45%. The official advice is a “Double chance: draw or Los Angeles FC”, reflecting LAFC’s stronger overall defensive numbers and higher Western Conference position, balanced against DC United’s home advantage at Audi Field.
