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Play-off hopefuls Houston Dynamo and DC United meet at Shell Energy Stadium on Thursday as Major League Soccer resumes following the World Cup break.
Both sides were held to draws in their final league matches before the hiatus and will be eager to secure all three points this time around.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Houston Dynamo vs DC United key stats
- Houston Dynamo are unbeaten in their last three matches.
- Like the hosts, five of DC United’s last seven matches have produced three or more goals.
- The visitors travel on Thursday aiming for their first clean sheet in five matches.
- They have scored first in four of their last five meetings with Houston.
Houston Dynamo vs DC United preview: Can DC United arrest their slump in form?
Houston Dynamo vs DC United — Tale of the Tape
| Houston Dynamo | vs | DC United |
|---|---|---|
| 7th(Western Conference) | Position | 9th(Eastern Conference) |
| 22 | Points | 18 |
| 19 | Goals For | 21 |
| 23 | Goals Against | 25 |
| 4 | Clean Sheets | 4 |
| 4th | Home / Away Rank | 5th |
Houston Dynamo made a solid start to the 2026 season, collecting six points from their opening three matches, but their momentum stalled with three consecutive defeats by a combined score of 11-5.
However, Ben Olsen’s side have since responded with five wins and a draw from their next eight MLS outings, most recently securing a 1-1 stalemate against Los Angeles Galaxy, with Guilherme netting his third goal in four matches to earn a point.
Now on 22 points from 14 matches, La Naranja sit above Minnesota United on goal difference in the race for the final guaranteed Western Conference play-off spot with just over a third of the regular season completed.
Warm-up wins over Olimpia (3-0) and America de Cali (2-1) have set Houston up well for their return to league action, which includes a busy stretch of seven matches in the next month, beginning with the clash against DC United.
Having kept clean sheets in each of their last three home league matches, Houston have been rock-solid at Shell Energy Stadium, and their supporters will be eager to see the team back in competitive action after a lengthy break.
Looking to spoil Houston's homecoming are DC United, who themselves are searching for a spark after entering the World Cup break without a win and just three points from their last four matches.
Prior to that slump, Rene Weiler’s side had beaten Orlando City and New York City FC to secure their first consecutive wins of the season, but defensive frailties soon emerged, as evidenced by conceding 10 goals in four matches.
While Weiler’s job is not believed to be under immediate threat, the 52-year-old will need to orchestrate a turnaround soon before discontent among the DC United faithful begins to grow.
With the Black-and-Red managing just one win from the last seven matches against their upcoming opponents, they will need a change in fortunes and could really do with their typical fast starts to matches lately, having scored the opener in five of their most recent six encounters.
Houston Dynamo vs DC United form guide & betting tips
| Houston Dynamo | vs | DC United |
|---|---|---|
W
W
L
W
D
|
Form |
W
D
L
D
D
|
| 10 | Points | 4 |
| 4th(Western Conference) | Form Table | 10th(Eastern Conference) |
| 7 | Goals For | 10 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 10 |
W
L
D
W
W
|
Form (All Comps) |
W
D
L
D
D
|
Whispers predicts: Houston Dynamo 2-1 DC United
Houston Dynamo are 7/10 (1.70) favourites to claim all three points against a DC United side that are winless in four consecutive competitive matches.
Both Houston (3.0) and DC United (3.06) have seen their MLS matches average three goals or more so far this season, so over 2.5 goals at 3/4 (1.75) looks a solid selection.
With goals expected at both ends, BTTS & Over 2.5 at 11/10 (2.10) is also an appealing bet.
Guilherme has made an outstanding start to life with Houston, registering eight goals and four assists in 14 appearances. Backing him to score or assist at 21/25 (1.84) could prove profitable.
> Houston Dynamo to win at 7/10 (1.70) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 total goals at 3/4 (1.75) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes & Over 2.5 total goals at 11/10 (2.10) | Likelihood: Likely
> Guilherme to score or assist at 21/25 (1.84) | Likelihood: Possible