D.C. United vs. FC Cincinnati Prediction & Top Bets (May 31, 2025)
D.C. United is still looking for something, anything that resembles a turnaround. They’ve only had three wins all season, zero momentum, and a wobbly defense that’s had no success on the road. And they’re going to Cincinnati to face a team that’s been taking care of biz at home and climbing up the Eastern Conference standings.
Cincy already has a win over D.C. this year, and they’ve won three of the last five between the clubs. They don’t have to depend on one player, although Luciano Acosta is a one-man wrecking machine.
But this is the MLS, and nothing’s written in stone. If D.C. can tighten things up defensively and keep Benteke involved, they do have a chance of making it competitive. It’s a big if, but it’s possible!
We’ve got everything you need to know about the game, so scroll on.
Match Snapshot
- Fixture: D.C. United vs. FC Cincinnati
- Date: Saturday, May 31
- Kick-off: 7:30 am ET
- Venue: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
- Broadcast: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Current Form & Standings
The difference between the teams is pretty much night and day. Cincinnati is racking up points left and right and looking like a playoff contender. D.C. keeps dropping results that they can’t afford to lose.
FC Cincinnati
- Record: 9-3-4 (30 points)
- Last 5 Matches: W-W-L-D-W
- Home Record: 5 wins in their last 7 at TQL
Cincinnati has looked great at home. They play with structure and patience, and they take advantage of openings when they happen. Acosta’s influence is obvious, but the team doesn’t fall apart when he’s a marked man.
D.C. United
- Record: 3-6-7 (15 points)
- Last 5 Matches: L-D-L-D-W
- Road Record: 1 win in 7 matches
D.C. just can’t seem to put together a full 90. They’ve managed the occasional strong half or late push, but mistakes at the back and a lack of support for Benteke have kept them from building anything that’s close to reliable.
Head-to-Head Highlights
Cincy has stayed in charge without overextending when the scoreline’s been close.
- April 12, 2025: FC Cincinnati 1–0 D.C. United
- July 3, 2024: FC Cincinnati 3–2 D.C. United
- March 10, 2024: FC Cincinnati 0–0 D.C. United
They’ve taken seven of the last nine points between the two clubs. D.C. hasn’t been blown out, but they also haven’t found a way to change the outcome. Cincinnati’s organization and midfield timing are just better.
Injury Updates
Cincinnati only has one starter missing. D.C. has several, which means less wiggle room to patch the holes.
D.C. United
- Jackson Hopkins (ankle): Still out with a possible May return
- Ted Ku-DiPietro (shoulder): Still sidelined
- Hakim Karamoko (sports hernia): Not expected to return until June
- Luis Barraza: Out for another week
FC Cincinnati
- Nick Hagglund (ribs): Expected to miss at least two more weeks
The home side can adapt without too much disruption, but D.C. doesn’t have that luxury. A few of their regulars are unavailable, and that limits their ability to stay compact or rotate in the second half.
Players to Watch
Who are we most interested in watching on the pitch? These players:
- Christian Benteke (D.C. United): The veteran forward leads D.C. in goals and has been one of the few dependable threats in their lineup. He’s dangerous on set pieces and still capable of turning a half-chance into something vicious, but he’s working without much help around him.
- Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati): Acosta runs the show for Cincy. His movement and vision make space for others, and his passing has been decisive in close games. If D.C. can’t keep him in check? That’s a problem.
Betting Odds and Lines
Moneyline (3-way)
- FC Cincinnati: -190
- Draw: +340
- D.C. United: +450
Spread
- FC Cincinnati: -0.5 (-200)
- D.C. United: +0.5 (+130)
Over/Under 2.5 Goals
- Over: -175
- Under: +130
Best Bets
What are the tastiest lookin’ bets for this match? Here are the three that we are putting money on! Odds and lines are courtesy of ESPN BET:
- FC Cincinnati to Win: -190
- Over 2.5 Total Goals: -175
- Both Teams to Score: -210
Don’t forget to check the sportsbook you use for the latest odds, as they can change!
DC vs. Cincinnati: The Verdict
Final Score Prediction: FC Cincinnati 3 – 1 D.C. United
Cincinnati stays on the front foot and puts it away after the break.
Cincinnati has been good at home. They move the ball well, stay organized, and don’t give opponents a lot of room to work with. Acosta gets attention wherever he goes, and Cincinnati knows how to use that space when it opens up.
D.C. hasn’t been reliable defensively, and playing on the road hasn’t helped. Benteke is a handful and hard to contain for any back line, but he can’t do it by himself.
The best value is on both teams finding the net and the total going over. But Cincinnati winning outright still feels like the smartest play!
