D.C. United v Orlando City SC: Weiler thrilled to rediscover winning feeling

Rene Weiler was thrilled to overcome D.C. United's "frustrating" winless run that stretched from the end of May in their last MLS clash with New York City FC. 

Weiler, who replaced Troy Lesesne following his dismissal, has overseen three games, picking up two draws against CF Montreal and Inter Miami and a win over NYCFC. 

It has marked a huge improvement during the 51-year-old's short tenure, with D.C. having picked up just one point from 27 available prior to his arrival at the club. 

Though his team are bottom of the Eastern Conference and unable to reach the playoffs, D.C. have five regular season matches remaining, starting with Orlando City SC.

"We are all happy that we have won, finally," Weiler said. "It was a tough time for everybody. Frustrating after a long time without one single win. 

"I am happy for the players first, and the for the club and the fans that we have that feeling back. They played very solid, very compact. Everybody helped each other. 

"It was difficult. They dominated. They were in a good flow. They won four of the last five games. But it was a very good performance from the team."

Orlando, meanwhile, have not featured since August 23, when they were thumped 5-1 by fellow Western Conference high-flyers Nashville SC. 

That match, which saw substitute Martin Ojeda score and get sent off, ended a four-match winning run in the MLS, which saw them lose pace with the top four. 

Orlando are fifth in the Eastern Conference, three points adrift of Nashville and Charlotte FC, but head coach Pareja believes the extended rest for his team can only be a positive for their final push to the postseason. 

"We took advantage of the fact that we had this break, and we tried to generate space for the players," Pareja said. "Some of them needed to rest and bring that energy back.

"But some of them needed to work and participate and compete in the drills to keep them active. It has been a little bit of a mix. We're good, though. We are mentally prepared to continue our next journey towards the next objective. 

"There are goals that are evident. The first is to qualify the team for the playoffs. But we want to qualify in the first four. It would be great for us to have that advantage in the playoffs. 

"Having six games and that many points still, we are aiming higher to try to do the best we can and compete for the highest position possible." 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

D.C. United – Gabriel Pirani

Pirani scored his first brace of the season in D.C. United's win over New York City.

It was just the second brace by a D.C. player in 2025, with the other also being scored against a New York team, coming from Peglow against the Red Bulls in April.

Orlando City – Martin Ojeda

In Orlando's last regular-season match, Muriel came on in the 74th minute, scored in the 76th and was sent off in the 81st. The seven minutes are the fastest a player has subbed on, scored a goal and been sent off in a single match in MLS history.

Therefore, the Lions will have to rely on top scorer Ojeda to lead the line. He has 14 league goals in 27 appearances for Orlando so far this season.

He also has an impressive record against D.C., registering five goal involvements (two goals and three assists) against them, tied for the most he has managed against any side in the MLS.

MATCH PREDICTION: ORLANDO CITY WIN

Orlando have won three straight meetings with D.C. United, including a 4-1 victory on March 22. Neither team has defeated the other in four consecutive encounters (21 all-time meetings).

While the pre-match simulations favour Orlando, Pareja's side have lost three straight matches in all competitions after going unbeaten in their previous eight (W6 D2). The Lions have not suffered four straight defeats in all competitions since September 2021.

D.C. United, meanwhile, snapped an 11-match regular-season winless run with a victory over New York. They have not won consecutive regular-season matches since wins over Nashville and the New England Revolution in October 2024.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

D.C. United – 22.7%

Draw – 22.3%

Orlando City – 55%