Troy Lesesne has urged his side to build on their impressive 2-1 victory over FC Cincinnati last Saturday, which saw D.C. United secure a precious win at TQL Stadium.

Conner Antley's decisive 19th-minute header sealed the result in D.C.'s favour after some early goalmouth action saw both sides find the net.

Gabriel Pirani put DC ahead within the first two minutes, slotting the ball into the top left corner, before Kevin Denkey hauled Cincinnati level just 13 minutes later.

D.C. regained the lead just four minutes later, with Antley's header proving enough to seal the win, lifting DC to 12th in the Eastern Conference standings. 

Lesesne was full of praise for his team’s performance, calling it the "biggest result" of his tenure in the capital.

"Look, we've watched the team and seen some good moments and some hard moments, really, over the course of the last year and a half," Lesesne said after the game. 

"And we're trying to achieve more consistency here. As it relates to this match tonight, I thought this is probably, during my time with the club, our biggest result.

"Just because of where Cincinnati is in the table, how consistent they've been. They've been at the top of the table the last three seasons, and they have so much quality.

"We respect this side and to come to their place and get a result like this, I think, speaks a lot about the group, and it shows what the group is capable of."

D.C. now face a fresh challenge on Saturday when they welcome Chicago Fire to Audi Field.

Chicago, who are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference and four points ahead of D.C., come into the match on the back of a 3-1 win against Orlando City.

Hugo Cuypers netted twice within two minutes to help them to a dominant win, while Philip Zinckernagel added a goal and two assists.

Zinckernagel punished Orlando early on, breaking the deadlock in the fifth minute before supplying Cuypers for his first just past the half-hour mark.

Chicago extended their lead with another quick-fire goal as Zinckernagel teed up Cuypers once again less than a minute later, with Martin Ojeda netting a consolation goal for Orlando six minutes before half-time.

Chicago head coach Gregg Berhalter was pleased with his team's performance, highlighting their ability to execute their game plan.

"There were a couple things that we focused on that I thought we did a really good job in and a lot of it had to do with our midfield and our wingers," Berhalter said. 

"Part of the game plan was to open up space and get their back line out of position, and I think we did that well."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

DC United – Gabriel Pirani

Pirani (one goal, one assist) was involved in both of D.C. United's goals in their 2-1 win over Cincinnati on Saturday.

Pirani has been involved in each of DC's last three regular-season goals, with their last goal without his involvement dating back to May 3.

Chicago Fire – Philip Zinckernagel

Zinckernagel, who recorded a goal and two assists against Orlando, is the first player in Fire history to contribute to a goal in six straight regular-season away matches.

He has also been involved in 10 goals (five goals, five assists) on the road this season, three more than any other MLS player.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

D.C. United have lost only two of their last 13 home matches against Chicago, dating back to 2014 (W8 D3). The hosts' eight regular-season home wins over the Fire are tied for their most against any opponent in that time (also eight against New England Revolution).

But DC are in a poor run of home form, having won only three of their last 21 regular-season home matches (D9 L9), including going winless for three in a row at Audi Field (D2 L1).

Chicago, meanwhile, have won five of their last six matches in all competitions (L1), including their 3-1 win at Orlando last weekend.

Prior to this run, the Fire had managed only four wins in 23 matches in all competitions dating back to last July (D6 L13).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

DC United – 37.4%

Draw – 26.4%

Chicago Fire – 36.2%