Nico Estevez believes his Austin FC side have already shown a big improvement compared to last season, as they prepare to host D.C. United in their second MLS match of 2026.

Austin started their second campaign under Estevez with a 2-2 draw at home to Minnesota United last week, though they were twice pegged back after goals from Brendan Hines-Ike and Myrto Uzuni put them in the lead.

The Verde and Black finished sixth in the Western Conference last year before falling at the first hurdle in the playoffs, going out to Los Angeles FC.

They are in action again at Q2 Stadium on Sunday, against D.C. United, and Estevez feels they will only get better as the campaign goes on.

"I think we gave a really good performance. A very attractive and willing-to-go-forward type of performance," Estevez said, reflecting on their season opener.

"I think we saw a team with more quality, cleaner in the way we built our attacks, and also in the final third.

"I still think we have to improve some of the movements and decisions we make, but I think we saw a more vertical team, that went forward every time they could.

"Last year, sometimes I think we got stuck in slow attacks, and it was because we didn't have that type of player that could accelerate the play.

"When we have everyone healthy and playing together, and training together, those connections will keep growing. I think we'll have a team that is very attractive to watch."

D.C. earned maximum points on matchday one, with Tai Baribo netting against his former club as they defeated the Philadelphia Union, who had Ezekiel Alladoh sent off, 1-0.

That represented an ideal start to their first full campaign under Rene Weiler, after D.C. won their fewest points in a 34-game MLS season last year (26).

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Austin FC – Brendan Hines-Ike 

Hines-Ike scored his third career regular-season goal for Austin FC last time out, on his 60th league appearance for the club. 

The defender had netted just one goal in 45 appearances for D.C. United from 2021 to 2023. Will his newfound hunger for goals continue? 

D.C. United – Tai Baribo 

Baribo scored D.C. United's only goal in their 1-0 win over Philadelphia last week. 

He has scored 26 goals since the start of the 2024 season, with his 0.69 goals per 90 minutes ranking fifth in MLS over that time (minimum 3,000 minutes played).

MATCH PREDICTION – AUSTIN FC

D.C. United opened their campaign with a win for the fifth time in the last six seasons last weekend. 

They have started a season with two straight wins just once since 2000, though, with victories over Charlotte FC and FC Cincinnati to open the 2022 campaign.

Austin have won all three of their matches against United, scoring at least three goals in each of those games. 

D.C. are one of two teams (along with New York City – P1 W1) that Austin have a 100% record against in regular-season MLS play.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin FC – 55.2%

D.C. United – 21.7%

Draw – 23.1%