New York City FC closes the 2026 season against DC United in a battle between two teams with nothing on the line, having already been eliminated from playoff contention. To learn more about DCU, New York Soccer Journal spoke to Donald Wine II of The District Press. Here is your NYCFC vs DC United preview.
• League Form: L-L-L-L-L
• Record: 7W, 12D, 14L | 33 points, 14th place
• Scoring Leader: Tai Baribo, 16 goals
• Assist Leader: Peglow and Keisuke Kurokawa, 5 assists
1. Another disappointing season
New York Soccer Journal: With both teams eliminated from playoff contention, what does DC United want from Saturday's game?
Donald Wine: It's been a difficult year for the Black-and-Red. Despite all the changes to the roster and their style of play and everything that head coach René Weiler and sporting director Erkut Sogut have implemented, the team improved from the Wooden Spoon to...14th place in the East. That's not good enough, and many fans have given up on a team that feels so far removed from the last time they had a playoff squad (2019).
2. René Weiler still has something to prove
NYSJ: Who still has something to prove in Game 34 of a lost season?
DW: The entire team does. Once again, René Weiler has hinted that he wants to bring in some new players in the offseason, so everyone is playing to show they can be a part of next season's plans. Weiler has also wanted to change the team's culture, but in a results-oriented sport, the culture needs to start generating consistent wins and a team that fans feel can compete for trophies. Since the last time DC United made the playoffs, every other team in MLS has made the playoffs. Weiler has stressed for people to not focus on the targets, but in a league where 60% of the league (and soon 2/3) make the playoffs, fans wanting to see DC United back in the postseason is asking for the bare minimum, and the team has not cleared that bar.
3. DC has to score without its DPs
NYSJ: What are the biggest things that need to improve in 2027 that have held back the 2026 squad?
