DC United vs Chicago Fire: MLS 2025 Match Preview
There is a big MLS gig on June 8, 2025, at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., where DC United hosts Chicago Fire. Both teams currently sit at 12th and 11th positions in the Eastern Conference standings and are very eager to improve on the day of Round 17. DC United, with a rather physical home advantage, face the Chicago Fire, propelled by the momentum and confidence garnered by star striker Hugo Cuypers. The odds are highly-government dependent: DC at 2.784, Chicago at 2.45, and draw at 3.645; it's a dead toss-up while playoff implications hold heavy on both sides. X has been buzzing-the fans talked about DC having that "gritty home vibe" while Chicago just has this "scoring swagger." Here is your down-to-earth rundown on team form, news, and betting tips for this MLS thriller.
Claim Welcome BonusDC United: form and statistics
DC United are looking to restore some relevance during a draining 2025, one of the original powerhouses of MLS with four MLS Cups to their name (last in 2004). Sitting 12th with 18 points (4-6-7), they have had glimpses of promise, with two unbeaten games in a row (W-D). The 2-1 upset of FC Cincinnati on June 1, according to Sportskeeda, was a gritty performance, with Pirani scoring in the 90+1 minute after 14 shots and 1.8 xG. DC is 2-1-2 at home but seem to have a troubling patch of losing points in this streak whenever they score first (five points lost). Season stats indicate goals at 16, conceded 29, xG at 19.9, and a save percentage at 66.7. They are leading the MLS in fouls with 15.6 per game and in yellow cards with 49, while Rowles is third on the list, behind only LA Galaxy's Edwin Carrillo, with seven bookings. "We're building something, but we need to lock in at home," Coach Troy Lesesne was quoted as saying to MLSsoccer.com. The fans of X are surely excited, with one commenting, "Pirani’s on fire, but no Benteke is rough." While injuries hit DC United hard, the physicality and current form should make the most of Chicago's brittle defense (28 goals conceded).
DC United Lineup
Expected Lineup: Barraza (GK), Rowles, Bartlett, Herrera, Antley, Peltola, Enow, Schnegg, Murrell, Peglow, Pirani
Out: Christian Benteke (ankle, mid-June return), Jackson Hopkins (out), Lukas MacNaughton (thigh), Jun-Hong Kim (out), Garrison Tubbs (out)
Head Coach: Troy Lesesne
DC United Latest Games
DC United 
DC United
Charlotte FC
Philadelphia Union
DC United
Orlando City
DC United
Inter Miami CF
DC United
DC United
Austin FC
Chicago Fire FC Latest Games
Chicago Fire FC
Philadelphia Union
Chicago Fire FC
Orlando City
Chicago Fire FC
Toronto FC
Chicago Fire FC
Columbus Crew
Chicago Fire FC
New York City FC
New England Revolution
Chicago Fire: form and statistics
The Fire have one MLS Cup in 1998 but looks to be really hitting the big-time under Berhalter, an attack-first guy who saw 10 multi-goal games in 2025 alone. Sitting 11th in the rankings, with 22 points (6-4-5), the team has won four of their last five matches in thrilling fashion, including a 3-2 gunbattle win against Atlanta United on May 31, according to Pickswise, where a brace from Hugo Cuypers accompanied by 2.3 xG stands as witness to that offensive power. Away games form is great, with 5 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws, a stat shared with MLS leaders. Other season stats include goals: 28 scored and 28 conceded, an xG value of 25.2, and a frighteningly average save percent of 63.6%. Cuypers was already proving to be the wild card with 10 goals in 15 games, matching 2024 tallies with only half the matches played. Berhalter told Chicago Tribune, “We’re peaking, but DC’s physicality is a challenge.” X posts hype Cuypers’ “clinical edge,” but some fans worry about injuries and Mauricio Pineda’s suspension weakening their backline. Chicago’s 2.50 xG in their last DC meeting shows they can create chances, but their defense remains vulnerable.
Chicago Fire Lineup
Expected Lineup: Brady (GK), Elliott, Cupps, Gutman, Oregel, Kouame, Acosta, Zinckernagel, Cuypers, BambaI
Out: Carlos Teran (muscle), Leonardo Barroso (muscle), David Poreba (out), Chris Mueller (out), Chase Gasper (out), Mauricio Pineda (suspended)
Head Coach: Gregg Berhalter
More Football Predictions
DC United vs Chicago Fire Head-to-Head Statistics
Historically speaking, Chicago Fire has a slight edge. Their record stands at 25-24 with 24 draws in 73 matches against DC United, but recent times have favored DC. The Black-and-Red remain unbeaten in their last five encounters against Chicago (0-2-3), including a 2-2 draw in March 2025 when Cuypers bagged a brace, DC were fouled 17 times with three yellow cards slapped onto Chicago, and the xG was 2.50 for Chicago. Since 2014, DC's home record against Chicago of 8-2-3 should give his boys a psychological edge, said Khel Now. An X post read, "DC always turns it into a street fight, but Cuypers is a problem." With Chicago unable to secure a win in the last five H2Hs, it seems DC's physical approach might well disrupt their rhythm again.
History of Head-to-Heads
Major League Soccer 2025
Chicago Fire FC
Major League Soccer 2025
DC United
Major League Soccer 2024
DC United
Major League Soccer 2024
Chicago Fire FC
Major League Soccer 2023
Chicago Fire FC
DC United vs Chicago Fire Betting Tips and Odds
- DC lead MLS with 15.6 fouls per game and 49 yellow cards, with their last H2H featuring 17 fouls and three bookings.
- Chicago’s 5-1-2 away record ties for the MLS lead, making them a live underdog.
- Chicago’s 10 multi-goal games and DC’s 16 goals scored point to over 2.5 goals.
- DC’s 8-2-3 home record against Chicago since 2014 favors the hosts.
- Cuypers’ brace and three shots on target in the last H2H make him a prime anytime goalscorer bet.
DC United vs Chicago Fire Match Prediction
Audi Field clash is a battle of contrast DC being a physical, foul-prone side, versus Chicago's flowing attack. DC's gritty 2-1 win over Cincinnati, per Sportskeeda, resulted from Pirani stepping up with Benteke out. Lesesne told MLSsoccer.com, "Our fans give us an edge, and we'll fight for every ball." The Fire, fresh from a 3-2 win over Atlanta, are dangerous away from home; Berhalter mentioned to the Chicago Tribune, "We're built to score, but defensively, we have to stay sharp." X fans are divided, with one posting, "DC's home crowd will bully Chicago," while another replied, "Cuypers is too hot to stop." Considering Chicago's away form and DC's injury-hit squad, with Benteke out, the Fire have the advantage. Chicago Fire to win 2-1. For punters, backing over 2.5 goals (1.78) is a relatively safe bet given the scoring trends of the teams. Betting that both teams will score is the main bet (1.6) since DC attacks well, and Chicago is prone to defensive lapses. Sports Mole and 22Bet back the Chicago team to win and over 2.5 goals, while footballpredictions.com with BTTS matches our main bet.
Other predictions
