The Coffin Is Almost Shut

DC United 0-2 FC Cincinnati, 24 October 2026

DC United lost to FC Cincinnati for the second time in 4 days, leaving them almost out of the playoffs for the SEVENTH straight year with 3 games to go.

DC's lineup:

Johnson in goal

Kurokawa, Rowles, Bartlett, Hefti in defense

Peglow, Dozzell, Servania, Nono in midfield

Baribo, Hopkins at forward

Subs: Markovic for Hopkins (35th), Avilez for Hefti (65th), Stroud for Servania (65th).

The game was pretty even until the 35th minute, when Cincinnati's Evander was left unmarked from 30 yards out in the center. He hit a beautiful shot to the upper left corner that Johnson didn't even move for. It was 1-0 at the half.

DC, really needing not just a draw but a win to stay in playoff contention, pressed forward in the second half (Hefti essentially became a midfielder). They were caught in the 52nd minute on a a counter as Evander passed to a wide-open Tom Barlow who scored easily from about 6 yards out. It was pretty much over there. DC played hard till the end but didn't create any good chances.

It was interesting that while playing their 5th game in 15 days (and 2 more in the next 7) that DC only used 3 of their 5 available substitutions.

Mathematically, DC is still alive for the playoffs, but they are 6 points out of a playoff spot with 3 games to go. They would have to win all 3 games (2 on the road) and hope for a lot of favorable results to sneak into 9th place.

Next up: at Toronto FC on Wednesday October 28 at 730pm.