Preview: DC United vs. Charlotte FC - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side are seeking to record a fourth straight win across all competitions, while their visitors target win number three on the bounce.

Match preview

DC United just about fended off the challenge of Richmond Kickers in the third knockout round of the US Open Cup thanks to a narrow 1-0 victory on Thursday.

Wayne Rooney's men were huge favourites to progress to the next phase but needed a 52nd-minute penalty from Yamil Asad to get the job done in Washington.

This followed a comprehensive 3-1 win over Orlando City at the Exploria Stadium for The Black-and-Red as they moved up to eighth place in the Eastern Conference of the MLS table.

Coming up next is the task of facing off against an opposing outfit who have won the subsequent two editions of this fixture since losing the first meeting.

Currently with the joint-worst home record in the division so far, Sunday's hosts will need to turn things around in front of their fans if they are to build upon a decent start to the season.

Charlotte were simply no match for Tormenta FC in the sides' cup encounter on Wednesday night which resulted in a routine 4-1 win at the Bank of America Stadium.

Goals from Kamil Jozwiak, Enzo Copetti and Derrick Jones put Christian Lattanzio's men in the driving seat before Matheus Cassini pulled one back six minutes from time after which Karol Swiderski put the final nail in the coffin.

Prior to that, The Crown battled past Columbus Crew in a 1-0 win to climb up to 11th place in the Eastern Conference, just two points adrift of the final playoff place.

Having let in the second-most goals away from home this term, Sunday's visitors have some tightening up to do at the back in their search for what would be only a second league triumph away from home since September.

DC United Major League Soccer form:

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Charlotte FC Major League Soccer form:

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Team News

Charlotte's Karol Jozwiak was hauled off with an injury scare 10 minutes after opening the scoring in midweek, making him a doubt for Sunday's contest.

Meanwhile, Guzman Corujo is a guaranteed absentee for this one as he continues to nurse a long-term knee problem which has seen him fail to feature for the visitors this season.

Joseph Mora has missed his side's last two games due to a knock and it is still unsure whether the 30-year-old will be back in time to play a part here.

Brendan Hines-Ike remains out of contention for DC United due to a knee injury, while Martin Rodriguez faces a long spell on the sidelines with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Leading goalscorer Christian Benteke had to make do with a place on the bench last time out but the Belgian will be expected to return to the hosts' starting XI.

DC United possible starting lineup:

Bono; Najar, Sargis, Akinmboni; Greene, Hopkins, Durkin, Asad, Ruan; Ku-DiPietro, Benteke

Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:

Kahlina; Sobocinski, Malanda, Tuiloma, Lindsey; Jones, Bronco; Cambridge, McKinze, Hegardt; Copetti

We say: DC United 1-1 Charlotte FC

Both teams have turned a corner in recent weeks, so we expect an open and end-to-end affair. That said, we can also see the sides canceling each other out and settling for a point apiece come the sound of the final whistle.

How to watch

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