Minnesota United vs. D.C. United

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Allianz Field
Stream: Apple TV Season Pass
Radio: KSTP-AM 1500 ESPN
Weather: 72 degrees, partly sunny, 8 mph south wind
Betting line: MNUFC minus-115; draw plus-285; D.C. plus-255

Form: MNUFC (8-9-6, 30 points) ended a six-match losing streak with a 1-1 draw with Houston Dynamo on Saturday. The Loons still slink in with an eight-match winless drought since June 1. D.C. ended an 11-match winless skid with a 2-1 win over Nashville last weekend.

Update: The Loons have welcomed back starting goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair and top striker Tani Oluwaseyi from national team duty with Canada this week. The pair have missed the previous eight games due to Canada reaching the third-place match of Copa America.

Absences: Wil Trapp (hamstring), DJ Taylor (hamstring), Moses Nyeman (ankle), Hugo Bacharach (hamstring) are out. Clint Irwin (groin) is questionable.

Projected XI: In a 5-3-2 formation, FW Bongi Hlongwane, CF Tani Oluwaseyi, RW Robin Lod; CM Joseph Rosales, CM Hassani Dotson; LWB Devin Padelford, CB Micky Tapias, CB Michael Boxall, CB Carlos Harvey, RWB Sang Bin Jeong; GK Dayne St. Clair.

View: This is a prime opportunity for the Loons to get back on track. Two key players have returned from international duties and two of the worst MLS teams are coming to St. Paul this week; San Jose (4-17-2, 14 points) visits on Saturday. After a dismal six weeks, nothing short of four points should be acceptable for MNUFC.

Check-in: MNUFC were interested in 22-year-old Panamanian center back Edguardo Farina of CA Independiente — same club Rosales came from — but Loons are unlikely to sign the Panama national team player. Tom Bogert reported Monday that a European club is in mix for Farina.

RELATED: Loons linked to signing attacker Kelvin Yeboah

Scouting report: The Loons have struggled with set-piece defending in recent weeks, while D.C. striker Christian Benteke has been dunking on opponents. The 6-foot-3 former Crystal Palace forward has scored a team-high 14 goals this season, including seven with his head.

Prediction: MNUFC does not resemble a well-oiled machine, but they are able to overcome a few leaks to do enough and get back into the win column for the fist time in 45 days. Loons celebrate a 2-1 victory.