Chicago (4-1-1) at D.C. United (2-4-0), 7:30 p.m.

Washington, D.C. (Sports Network) - D.C. United coach Tom Soehn wasn't able to single out one player who had a good performance after the team's most recent loss.

"When looking at individual performances in this game," Soehn said after a 2-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, "we were just bad all over the field.

"I can't even think of a player that did well."

D.C. United lost for the fourth time in six games this season. United had the best record in Major League Soccer in each of the last two years, but is last in the Eastern Conference (D.C. would be fourth in the Western Conference).

"I don't know what it is," D.C. midfielder Santino Quaranta said, "we are not clicking this year."

D.C. signed Marcelo Gallardo as a designated player to highlight an offseason full of changes. Gallardo has done well at times with two goals but all of the players haven't gelled yet.

United returns to RFK Stadium on Thursday night to host the Chicago Fire with hopes of turning its season around before it's too late.

"We now have to look towards next week, and continue to work and get better," Soehn said. "We have to have a better mentality. We need to find a combination of guys who will go out there and give it all that they have.

"We have a lot of work to do."

At the top of Soehn's wish list is getting Luciano Emilio on track. He led MLS with 20 goals last season to win MVP but has just one goal and one assist this season.

Soehn also needs his defense to play better. D.C. has allowed 12 goals, which is the most in the Eastern Conference.

United will enjoy being at home, where it has both of its wins this year. But Chicago has played well on the road with two wins and a tie in three games.

The Fire also feature the league's top defense. Chicago has allowed just three goals this season and one of those was an own goal. Diego Gutierrez, Brandon Prideaux, Gonzalo Segares and Bakary Soumare anchor the defense and goalkeeper Jon Busch has been solid with three shutouts.

"That is what you want to strive for, to keep zeros in the back," Fire coach Denis Hamlett said. "It will help you win the game."

On offense, midfielder John Thorrington leads the team with three goals and Chad Barrett, Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Tomasz Frankowski each have two.

"We have a great attacking squad of guys," Thorrington said.

Despite winning four of its first six, Chicago is still second in the Eastern Conference. The Fire can overtake the Columbus Crew with a win over United.