This Saturday, July 26, D.C. United will return to Audi Field for a crucial match against Austin FC, marking the end of a four-match road stretch. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the evening is set to be a special occasion as it will also celebrate Legacy Night, honoring the club’s storied championship history.
The team will don the Archive Kit at home for the first time, and several club legends, including Jaime Moreno, Marco Etcheverry, Luciano Emilio, John Harkes, and Steven Birnbaum, will be recognized both before the match and at halftime.
Currently, D.C. United (4-13-7, 19 pts) is eager to break a winless streak that has persisted through its last three matches. Most recently, the Black-and-Red suffered a hard-fought 2-1 defeat against the Columbus Crew, which capped a challenging road trip that included facing teams in Nashville, LA, Charlotte, and Columbus.
In the match against Columbus, Christian Benteke returned to the starting lineup and made an immediate impact, scoring his seventh goal of the season just three minutes after halftime. Derek Dodson assisted on the goal, showcasing his ability to stretch the field along the right flank during his second consecutive start.
Despite Benteke’s efforts, the match saw United concede a late goal to Columbus’ Lassi Lappalainen, marking their third straight one-goal defeat. The defensive unit performed admirably, with Lucas Bartlett achieving five recoveries and four interceptions, but ultimately fell short.
Interim Head Coach Kevin Flanagan employed a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Kye Rowles providing support to the backline and David Schnegg, Bartlett, Rowles, and Aaron Herrera forming the defense. However, United will be without Herrera for the match against Austin, as he received a red card during the final minutes of the Columbus match and will serve a one-match suspension.
The previous encounter between these two teams took place on October 4, 2023, where D.C. United was defeated 3-0 in Austin. This Saturday, United will aim to break the mold and secure their first-ever win against the Verde and Black, who currently sit in eighth place in the Western Conference with a record of 8-6-3, totaling 30 points.
Austin FC is coming off a 2-1 road victory against LA Galaxy and remains unbeaten in their last three games, having allowed only six goals over their last five matches. With leading goal scorer Brandon Vazquez sidelined for the season due to a torn ACL, Austin will now count on Osman Bukari and Owen Wolff, each contributing one goal and four assists this season, to lead their attack.
For D.C. United, the onus will be on Benteke and Gabriel Pirani, who have combined to score 11 of the club’s 20 goals, to energize the offense. Establishing a robust start and maintaining defensive discipline will be crucial for the Black-and-Red to come away with all three points on a night dedicated to celebrating the club’s rich legacy while simultaneously looking forward to a brighter future.
In the statistical highlights from the last match against Columbus, Christian Benteke’s performance stood out, scoring in the 48th minute thanks to Dodson’s assist. Benteke also had three total shots and won all of his aerial duels during the 62 minutes he played.
Derek Dodson, making his second consecutive start for D.C. United, contributed defensively with three recoveries and two blocks over 85 minutes on the field.
Brandon Servania demonstrated skill on the pitch with seven ground duels won and recorded a perfect tackle success rate, ultimately winning six tackles throughout the 90 minutes.
Defender David Schnegg was impactful in his own right as well, registering three clearances and delivering six passes into the final third, completing the entire match at 90 minutes.
Reflecting back on their last encounter against Austin FC on October 4, 2023, the match was a significant challenge for D.C. United. They allowed early goals from Will Bruin and Sebastián Driussi, which shifted the momentum firmly in Austin’s favor within the opening 21 minutes. While the Black-and-Red relentlessly sought to respond, they generated several quality chances with Christian Benteke and Derrick Williams leading the way, finishing with a total of 19 shots, of which eight were on target.
Despite their efforts, Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver delivered an impressive performance, making eight saves to keep D.C. United at bay. A late header from Matt Hedges in the 66th minute off a corner kick further sealed the game in favor of Austin FC, ensuring they took all three points.
D.C. United supporters can catch the action live by subscribing to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. This subscription provides access to every D.C. United match, whether home or away, along with exclusive pre-and post-match coverage. Fans can simply open the Apple TV app, navigate to MLS Season Pass, and subscribe to enjoy the entire 2025 season.
For radio broadcasts, listeners can tune in to 1190 iHeart Sports DC, 101.1 HD2, and the iHeartRadio App. Legendary broadcaster Dave Johnson, who has been calling D.C. United games since the club’s inception in 1996, will be back in the booth alongside Bruce Murray, a former U.S. National Team player. The duo has partnered on radio calls since 2023, providing high-quality and passionate commentary for fans eager to support the Black-and-Red.
image source from：dcunited
