Match Preview: D.C. United at FC Cincinnati | Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Match Preview: D.C. United at FC Cincinnati | Wednesday, October 21, 2026

D.C. United travel to TQL Stadium this Wednesday, October 21 for an Eastern Conference matchup against FC Cincinnati in the club’s 30th match of the 2026 MLS season. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Black-and-Red enter the week at 7-10-12 with 33 points, 13th in the Eastern Conference. Wednesday’s match was originally scheduled for September 5 and is the first of two meetings between the clubs in four days, with the sides meeting again at Audi Field on Saturday, October 24.

D.C. United enter Wednesday’s contest off a 4-1 loss at Orlando City SC on October 17. Forward Tai Baribo pulled a goal back in first-half stoppage time for his 16th of the season. Head Coach René Weiler’s side is 2-5-7 on the road in 2026.

FC Cincinnati enter the week at 9-11-9 with 36 points, ninth in the Eastern Conference, and are coming off a 2-0 home loss to Columbus Crew on October 18, their second straight defeat at TQL Stadium. Forward Kevin Denkey leads the club with 17 goals and is three-for-three from the penalty spot, midfielder Evander has 13 goals and 13 assists, and forward Tom Barlow has added nine goals. Goalkeeper Roman Celentano has two clean sheets in 24 starts with a 2.38 goals against average, and FC Cincinnati have conceded 70 goals this season.

Wednesday’s match is the first of two meetings between the clubs in the 2026 MLS regular season. D.C. United lead the all-time regular season series 6-4-4 across 14 meetings and have outscored FC Cincinnati 21-16. The Black-and-Red are 4-1-3 in eight previous trips to Cincinnati and have conceded only five goals there.

By the Numbers:

• Forward Tai Baribo has five goals in five career appearances against FC Cincinnati and leads D.C. United with 16 goals in 2026.
• Forward Tai Baribo is five-for-five from the penalty spot in 2026 and has scored four game-winners.
• Goalkeeper Sean Johnson has 11 career MLS appearances against FC Cincinnati with a 1.36 goals against average.
• Defender Keisuke Kurokawa has started all 29 matches in 2026 with six assists and a D.C. United-high 75 corner kicks.
• FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano has two clean sheets in 24 appearances this season with a 2.38 goals against average.
• FC Cincinnati forward Kevin Denkey leads the club with 17 goals and five assists in 26 appearances this season.
  FC Cincinnati are 1-4-3 at home in all-time meetings against D.C. United. 

Last Match Against FC Cincinnati | May 31, 2025, at TQL Stadium

In the most recent meeting between the clubs, D.C. United scored twice inside the opening 19 minutes to win 2-1 in Cincinnati. Midfielder Gabriel Pirani opened the scoring in the second minute from outside the box off a set piece, and defender Conner Antley restored the lead in the 19th with a header from a defender Aaron Herrera corner for his first career MLS goal. FC Cincinnati had leveled through forward Kevin Denkey in the 15th. Goalkeeper Luis Barraza protected the lead late with saves in the 74th and 82nd minutes as the Black-and-Red held on for all three points.

How to Watch

D.C. United fans can catch all the action of their favorite team on Apple TV. With this, you can watch every D.C. United match live, whether it’s home or away, along with exclusive pre- and post-match coverage. Simply open the Apple TV app, navigate to MLS Season Pass, and enjoy the entire 2026 season. Whether you're at home or on the go, you'll have access to every match, ensuring you never miss a moment of D.C. United's season. Enjoy seamless streaming on your Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, and more!   

Radio broadcasts will be available live on the iHeartRadio App and Freedom 104.7 FM. Legendary broadcaster Dave Johnson, who has called matches for D.C. United since the club’s inception in 1996 will return to the booth alongside Bruce Murray, former United States National Team player (1985-1993, 85 caps and 21 goals) and Class of 2011 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee. The pair have partnered on radio calls since 2023 to deliver high-quality and passionate radio calls for fans. Supporters watching D.C. United MLS Regular Season matches on MLS Season Pass can opt to listen to Dave Johnson and Bruce Murray calling the match on the MLS Local Radio Broadcast channel.