DC United host Columbus Crew at Audi Field on Wednesday, September 9 (7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT / 4:30 PM PT).
Neither DC United nor Columbus Crew carries an injury or suspension concern into Wednesday’s game, so this preview is shaped entirely by the players who have carried the goal threat all season. Tai Baribo is still the focal point of the DC attack, with 12 goals from 36 shots and 17 on target, while Louis Munteanu has fired 54 shots of his own for 6 goals. For Columbus, Taha Habroune is the chief supplier with 34 chances created, and Brais Méndez Portela offers a proven scoring touch with 2 goals from just 337 minutes on the pitch.
DC United sit 11th in the East on 25 points, in the thick of a congested playoff picture, and their recent form line of D D L L D shows a team drawing more often than it is winning. Columbus Crew are 4 places and 5 points further back in 15th, with their own sequence of D L L L L underlining how far off the pace they currently are. Both clubs share an identical goal difference of -8, and with defences on both sides prone to leaking chances, Signal expects goals at each end before Columbus edge the closing stages.
DC United vs Columbus Crew: Best Bets & Predictions
Columbus Crew tipped to nick a tight, goal-filled night at Audi Field as two East playoff hopefuls search for form.
Our approach: Signal weighs each side's underlying attacking numbers — goals, shots, shots on target and chances created — against current league form and standing to settle on a scoreline, then builds the Both Teams to Score, Over/Under and Anytime Goalscorer picks from that same read.
Odds correct at time of writing and shown in American format for illustration; your local odds may vary. 19+ (18+ in AB/MB/QC). Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON).
Season Form & Standings
DC United are 11th in the Eastern Conference with 25 points from 22 games (5 wins, 10 draws, 7 losses), while Columbus Crew sit 15th on 20 points from the same number of matches (5 wins, 5 draws, 12 losses), leaving both clubs jostling for position in a tightly bunched playoff race.
Eastern Conference
| Team | Pos | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC United | 11 | 22 | 5 | 10 | 7 | 28 | 36 | -8 | 25 |
| Columbus Crew | 15 | 22 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 31 | 39 | -8 | 20 |
DC United vs Columbus Crew Predicted Lineups
Predicted XI — updated for the latest team news.
DC United
4-3-3Columbus Crew
4-4-2Potential Match-Winners
- Tai Baribo (DC United): 12 goals in 1,374 minutes this season, with 17 of his 36 shots on target — DC’s most direct route to goal.
- Louis Munteanu (DC United): 6 goals from 54 shots, with 21 on target — few attackers get shots away as often as this.
- Taha Habroune (Columbus Crew): Just 1 goal so far, but 34 chances created shows he is Columbus’s main creative outlet.
Recent Form
DC United: D D L L D
- 2026-08-30: DC United 0-0 LAFC (D, home)
- 2026-08-23: Charlotte FC 3-1 DC United (L, away)
- 2026-08-20: DC United 0-3 New England Revolution (L, home)
- 2026-08-16: CF Montreal 1-1 DC United (D, away)
- 2026-08-02: DC United 2-2 Nashville SC (D, home)
D D L L D, with a goalless draw against LAFC their most recent outing either side of defeats to New England Revolution and Charlotte FC.
Columbus Crew: D L L L L
- 2026-08-30: Columbus Crew 1-3 New England Revolution (L, home)
- 2026-08-23: Nashville SC 3-2 Columbus Crew (L, away)
- 2026-08-20: Columbus Crew 1-2 CF Montreal (L, home)
- 2026-08-16: Charlotte FC 3-1 Columbus Crew (L, away)
- 2026-08-02: Inter Miami 2-2 Columbus Crew (D, away)
D L L L L, a run that includes away defeats to Nashville SC and Charlotte FC and a 1-3 home loss to New England Revolution most recently.
DC United vs Columbus Crew Prediction
Both teams have goals in them on this evidence, and Signal sees Columbus Crew edging a tight one, DC United 1-2 Columbus Crew. DC United’s home advantage keeps them competitive from 11th in the East, but Columbus, even 4 places and 5 points back in 15th, look sharper in the areas that matter here, and a narrow away win offers a small lift to their own playoff hopes.