WASHINGTON – D.C. United kicked off the 2026 MLS season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over their long-time rivals, Philadelphia Union, at Audi Field. In front of a passionate home crowd, Tai Baribo, a former Union striker, was the difference-maker, scoring the only goal of the match in the 23rd minute to give D.C. United won their first win over Philadelphia since August 2021.
The game featured many new faces for D.C. United. Sean Johnson, Silvan Hefti, Keisuke Kurokawa, and Baribo all made their competitive debuts, while Louis Munteanu and Nikola Marković also featured, with Munteanu coming on in the 70th minute and Marković debuting in the dying minutes. Head Coach René Weiler led his team to victory in his first regular-season match of 2026, showcasing early glimpses of his vision for the squad.
The match began with D.C. United created the first clear chance in the 6th minute when Matti Peltola delivered a set-piece to Lucas Bartlett, whose left-footed shot just missed wide. However, Baribo would capitalize on the next opportunity. In the 23rd minute, the Black-and-Red executed a clinical counter-attack. João Peglow sent a perfectly timed pass to Baribo, who calmly slotted the ball past Union goalkeeper Andre Blake with a right-footed finish into the bottom corner of the net.
The Union responded with pressure, as Milan Iloski created two good chances, forcing Sean Johnson into sharp saves in the 22nd and 38th minutes. But Baribo nearly doubled the lead just before halftime, hitting the right post off a set-piece from Jackson Hopkins, signaling that D.C. United was in control.
The match took a turn in the 59th minute, when Ezekiel Alladoh, making his MLS debut for the Union, was shown a straight red card for dissent. The ejection left Philadelphia down to 10 men for the remainder of the game, making their task even more difficult. With the extra man, D.C. United began to control possession, limiting Philadelphia’s chances and stifling their attacking rhythm.
Munteanu came on in the 70th minute and had two shots, both of which narrowly missed the target. Despite Philadelphia’s best efforts, including late chances from Augustín Anello and a Danley Jean Jacques header, D.C. United’s defense, led by Bartlett, Rowles, Hefti, and Kurokawa, held firm to preserve the lead.
D.C. United’s defense, which had been a weak point in previous seasons, looked resolute throughout the match. Sean Johnson, in his debut for the club, earned the clean sheet with three saves, including a couple of key interventions that prevented any Union comeback. Matti Peltola, anchoring the midfield, delivered a strong performance, finishing with seven defensive recoveries and 84% passing accuracy.
D.C. United’s first win of the 2026 season is a vital boost for the team, which had struggled with consistency in the previous campaign. With Baribo’s goal and solid performances from the newcomers, the club has given its fans plenty of hope moving forward. This win marks the beginning of a new era under René Weiler and could signal a shift in. United after their disappointing finish in the 2025 season.
Looking ahead, D.C. United will seek to build on their strong start when they return to action next week, aiming to maintain their momentum as they continue the 2026 campaign.
