FC Cincinnati hopes to gain momentum for a potential playoff run when the club hosts D.C. United 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5 at TQL Stadium.
FC Cincinnatiis in sixth place in the MLS Eastern Conference with 31 points. D.C. United is tied for ninth with 25 points (5-7-10).
Cincinnati is in solid playoff position at the moment. A string of good results can move them up, but a string of bad results could jeopardize that with how tight the table is in the middle and the teams remaining on Cincy's schedule.
Cincinnati has yet to play DCU this season. Seven of Cincy’s 12 remaining games are against teams below them in the Eastern Conference table, including both with Philadelphia and single games against Atlanta, Montreal and Columbus. Cincinnati has four games against the teams in the East above
them (Charlotte, Miami, Nashville, New England) and one at Houston, which is in second place in the Western Conference.
Cincy has reinforcements on the way with this week’s signings of center back Julián Malatini and wingback/midfielder David Douděra. Both have to get P-1 visas, so it’s unlikely either one will be in town training with the team until after the Charlotte game Sept. 12. Both have the potential to help Cincy’s shaky defense.
Head coach Pat Noonan is focusing on getting his team into top form.
“When you look at our play and specifically the goals conceded, that that part hasn't been strong enough,” Noonan said. “But I always believe that we have the group to go and win things even when we struggle. So we'll see how these additions acclimate themselves and how our group welcomes them to help them find success.”
A look at FC Cincinnati’s opponent, D.C. United
D.C. United started the season well with a 4-3-4 record, capped by a 2-0 win at New York City FC May 3, which was their last road win. They drew 2-2 at Nashville in their next game. D.C. is 1-4-6 in MLS play since, and 2-3-6 overall on the road.
Noonan said the 10 draws the team has had, which is tied for most in MLS, belie the overall quality of the team.
“The intensity of their play,” Noonan said. “With the ball, they go fast and they’re very tough to deal with. They have willing runners all over the field, but guys that know how to stretch the game, counter movements that can challenge the back line. Very good with getting into crossing moments and getting service into the box with good numbers. I think they transition well and defensively when they're organized, how they go to the ball together, that part’s connected. So when you see the results, they maybe don’t match how they’re performing because we've certainly been impressed with it.”
DCU’s defense is middle of the pack in MLS with 36 goals conceded, but they have only scored 28, tied for fourth-worst in the league.
Tai Baribo, a 28-year old striker, has 12 goals in 17 games in his first season with the club after three seasons with Philadelphia. He has five goals in five career appearances against FC Cincinnati. Baribo missed D.C.’s 0-0 draw with LAFC Aug. 29 with a knee injury. He was questionable going into the game and was not in the available lineup. His status for Cincinnati is uncertain as of the morning of Sept. 4, but Noonan said he and his team are preparing as if he will play.
D.C. United has a 6-4-4 all-time lead over Cincy, and the Orange and Blue are only 1-4-3 against them at home. D.C. United won 2-1 here in 2025, with all three goals coming in the first 20 minutes of play, and Cincy won 1-0 on the road.
“He is a very strong player,” Noonan said. “When he's on the field, especially when they have the ball, the timing of his movements, the change of speed to attack behind, to run in the box is very strong. There's a reason he has scored so many goals and had his success in Philly, and now in DC. I think he’s an excellent attacker and certainly brings an element of competitiveness, experience, quality to their front line and then on the defensive side of the ball, very willing.”
Louis Munteanu, a 24-year old from Romania, has six goals.
D.C. has star power in goal with Sean Johnson, a 37-year old from Georgia who is in his 17th season in MLS and has played 13 matches for the United States Men’s National Team. He has played for Chicago, NYCFC and Toronto in his career, winning an MLS Cup with NYCFC in 2021. The 6-foot-3 keeper became the fourth player in MLS history to post 100 career shutouts in 2024.
Defender Keisuke Kurokawa has started all 22 matches in 2026.
FC Cincinnati player availability notes for D.C. United
Sami Gidi will not be available for the match as he is still in concussion protocol after a collision during the Nashville match. Noonan said he had a brief setback this week which kept him from playing this weekend but he is optimistic that Gidi will be available for the road game in Philadelphia Sept. 9.
Forward Kristian Fletcher will not be available with knee discomfort. Fletcher has yet to make his MLS debut with Cincinnati as he recovers from a torn ACL in 2025. He has played in friendlies and in the Leagues Cup.
Evander has no lasting effects from being kicked in the ankle late in the Nashville game by Eddi Tegsath, a foul that Tegsath was given a yellow card for.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: FC Cincinnati looks to improve playoff position in first meeting with D.C. United
