D.C. United Aims to Extend Unbeaten Streak Against Chicago Fire

D.C. United’s five-game MLS unbeaten streak marks their longest since 2021, propelling the team into a tie for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

For a club that has not made the postseason for a league-high six years, this success represents a significant development.

D.C. United (4-4-4, 16 points) will look to build on their recent form Wednesday night in Washington as they host the struggling Chicago Fire (5-4-3, 17 points), who currently sit just above them in the standings.

Leading the way for D.C. has been Louis Munteanu. After joining the team for a club-record fee of $7 million, Munteanu faced challenges with a leg injury, missing four games and not scoring in his first five appearances. However, he has since found his rhythm, netting four goals in the last three matches, presenting a crucial threat as Tai Baribo, who has six goals, deals with his own leg injury and is questionable for Wednesday’s match.

“The goals and the statistics speak for itself,” D.C. coach Rene Weiler said regarding Munteanu’s impressive performance. “Happy for him. A striker, perfect. Keep going like this.”

On Wednesday, D.C. will need to adjust their lineup as defender Silvan Hefti will be unavailable after receiving two yellow cards in a recent 2-2 draw against Nashville SC. His exit in the 74th minute allowed Warren Madrigal to score twice, helping first-place Nashville avoid defeat.

In contrast, Chicago Fire will seek to recover from three consecutive defeats across all competitions, all occurring at home. Prior to this losing streak, the Fire had enjoyed a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Goalkeeper Chris Brady, who has five clean sheets this season, has conceded three goals in each of Chicago’s last two outings, including a 3-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

“I think it’s good when you don’t have to stew on a bad result,” Chicago defender Jack Elliott commented. “Obviously, we want to change the form and go back to being a more resolute defensive team.”

Hugo Cuypers remains a key player, having scored in every match he has participated in this season, including a goal on a rebound in the 87th minute against the Red Bulls, bringing his total to 11 goals in eight matches.

In their previous encounter, Baribo secured victory for D.C. with a winning goal in second-half stoppage time, sealing a 2-1 win at Chicago on March 14. “It’s impossible to compare those games,” Weiler remarked. “It’s a new game.”