Preview: DC United vs. Nashville SC - prediction, team news, lineups

Match preview

DC United were sent crashing back down to earth in the MLS last Sunday when they fell to a slender 1-0 defeat away to Chicago Fire last Sunday.

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In a cagey affair at the Soldier Field, substitute Fabian Herbers came up trumps for the hosts as he scored the only goal of the game with 12 minutes left to play.

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Prior to that, Chad Ashton's men ended a run of five games without defeat on June 8 when they claimed a 1-0 victory over Guatemalan outfit CSD Xelaju MC.

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DC United have picked up four wins, two draws and lost eight of their 14 games so far to collect 14 points and sit bottom but one in the league standings, level on points with last-placed Chicago Fire.

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This poor start to the season could be pinned to their struggles on the road, where the Black-and-Red are currently on a five-game winless run in the league, picking up just one point from a possible 15.

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Nashville, on the other hand, continue to struggle for form on home turf as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Sporting Kansas City last time out.

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Despite being on the back foot for most of the game, Felipe Hernandez and Graham Zusi scored in either half to put the Wizards two goals up before Ake Arnaud Loba pulled one back in the 63rd minute.

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They have now failed to win any of their last three games at the GEODIS Park, picking up two draws and losing one since claiming successive victories over Real Salt Lake and CF Montreal back in May.

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Prior to last Sunday's defeat, Nashville were on a five-game unbeaten run across all competitions, claiming two draws and three wins, including a 2-1 victory over Louisville City FC in the last 16 of the US Open Cup on May 26.

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With 23 points from 16 games, Gary Smith's men are currently sixth in the Western Conference standings, one point off fifth-placed LA Galaxy and three above Seattle Sounders in the final playoff spot.

DC United Major League Soccer form:

DC United form (all competitions):

Nashville SC Major League Soccer form:

Nashville SC form (all competitions):

Team News

DC United will be without the midfield duo of Gaoussou Samake and Moses Nyeman, who have both been ruled out through thigh injuries.

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Twenty-seven-year-old Chris Odoi-Atsem is also set to sit out his 10th consecutive game after suffering an ankle injury against Austin FC back in April.

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American forward Adrien Perez is also out of contention for the hosts after the 26-year-old came off with a foot injury in the 2-0 loss to Chicago Fire on March 13.

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Nashville, on the other hand, will be without the attacking duo of Handwalla Bwana and Irakoze Donasiyano, who have been ruled out through thigh and muscle problems.

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They are joined on the club's injury table by fellow forward Teal Bunbury, who sustained an ankle problem in March's game against Real Salt Lake.

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Hany Mukhtar and Charles Sapong have been involved in 17 of Nashville's 19 league goals so far and we expect them to spearhead the attack once again.

DC United possible starting lineup:

Romo; Najar, Birnbaum, Pines; Gressel, Durkin, Djeffal, Smith; Fountas, Kamara, Skundrich

Nashville SC possible starting lineup:

Willis; Washington, Maher, McCarty, Davis; Miller, Haakenson, Muyl, Lovitz; Mukhtar, Sapong

We say: DC United 0-2 Nashville SC

While DC United will be looking to return to winning ways, they face the stern test of taking on a Nashville side who they are yet to defeat in the MLS. The visitors head into the game on a run of two consecutive away victories and we predict they will heap more misery on the struggling Black-and-Reds and come away with all three points.

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