Major League Soccer Regular Season - 1

DC United 1 - 0 FT Philadelphia Union

Audi Field

Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching

Futmetrix Verdict
35
FT
Sun, Feb 22
DC United
1-0
Philadelphia Union
⚡ Intensity 31
⚖️ Balance 20
🏆 Stakes 44
🎲 Upset 22
Red card sinks Union in capital.

Capital Punishment: DC United Draw First Blood

Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 35/100. A clinical first-half breakthrough and a costly second-half dismissal leave the visitors trailing in this tense two-legged showdown.

Opening Exchanges at Audi Field

The match carried a fierce Intensity right from kickoff at Audi Field, with both sides eager to establish early dominance in this vital first leg. While Philadelphia Union technically edged possession in the opening phases, their control of the ball was largely superficial against a well-drilled home side. DC United looked significantly sharper in transition, expertly pulling the strings through the midfield vision of Jackson Hopkins. The breakthrough arrived in the 23rd minute when Peglow, operating with immense tactical awareness, carved open the visitors' defensive line with a perfectly weighted delivery. T. Baribo made no mistake, finishing with ruthless efficiency to give the hosts a deserved advantage. Despite outshooting their opponents overall, Philadelphia’s attempts were largely speculative, generating a mere 0.54 expected goals compared to the hosts' highly threatening 1.12 xG.

The Tactical Shift

The fundamental Balance of the tie tilted dramatically near the hour mark. Frustration had been brewing for a Philadelphia squad enduring a brutal five-game losing streak in league play, and it finally boiled over in the 58th minute. An intense sideline argument resulted in Ezekiel Alladoh being shown a straight red card, reducing the visitors to ten men. This flashpoint effectively extinguished any realistic hopes of an immediate equalizer. Up a man, the hosts smartly lowered the tempo rather than risking exposure. The defensive unit, brilliantly marshaled by Keisuke Kurokawa, simply absorbed the remaining pressure while clearing any danger from the penalty area. The Upset narrative surrounding Philadelphia's continued struggles only deepened as they failed to test the home goalkeeper despite pushing bodies forward late.

The Return Leg Looms

With the final whistle blowing on a 1-0 result, the Stakes for the April 18th rematch could not be higher. DC United will travel north knowing that a clean sheet secures their progression, while Philadelphia must find a way to snap their attacking drought without suffering further disciplinary implosions. This victory gives the capital club vital momentum, proving they can grind out results in tight, physical contests when survival is on the line. The Union, meanwhile, face serious questions back in the locker room. They moved the ball adequately, completing over 300 passes, but lacked the cutting edge required in the final third. The upcoming second leg promises high drama, as Philadelphia will have no choice but to throw caution to the wind on home soil.

Key Questions

How did the red card for Ezekiel Alladoh impact the match?

Ezekiel Alladoh's 58th-minute dismissal crippled Philadelphia's attack, forcing them to play defensively and allowing DC United to comfortably protect their slim 1-0 aggregate lead.

What is the Futmetrix Score?

The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.

Match Statistics

Possession
49%
51%
DC United 49%
Philadelphia Union 51%
Shots
7
12
DC United 7
Philadelphia Union 12
Shots on Target
1
3
DC United 1
Philadelphia Union 3
Expected Goals (xG)
1.12
0.54
DC United 1.12
Philadelphia Union 0.54
Passes
397
419
DC United 397
Philadelphia Union 419
Pass Accuracy
73%
75%
DC United 73%
Philadelphia Union 75%
Corners
1
5
DC United 1
Philadelphia Union 5
Fouls
19
16
DC United 19
Philadelphia Union 16
Yellow Cards
2
4
DC United 2
Philadelphia Union 4
Red Cards
0
1
DC United 0
Philadelphia Union 1

Match Events

23' T. Baribo (Peglow)
Olwethu Makhanya 🟨 41'
Jesus Bueno 🟨 44'
HT
F. Sundstrom G. Martinez 🔄 46'
J. Bueno A. Anello 🔄 57'
Ezekiel Alladoh 🟥 58'
70' 🔄 Gabriel Pirani L. Munteanu
M. Iloski C. Sullivan 🔄 70'
I. Vassilev A. Bedoya 🔄 79'
B. Damiani S. Korzeniowski 🔄 79'
88' 🟨 Jackson Hopkins
89' 🔄 J. Hopkins N. Markovic
90'+3 🔄 T. Baribo S. Nealis
90'+4 🟨 João Peglow
FT

Player Cards

Our take on every player in this match

DC United

Goalkeepers
S. Johnson
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
S. Hefti
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Bartlett
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
K. Rowles
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
44%
Duel Win %
K. Kurokawa
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
100%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
J. Hopkins
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Peltola
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
B. Servania
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Peglow
PROVIDER
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
7.5
Rating
Forwards
T. Baribo
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
11
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Gabriel Pirani
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
70
Entry
BENCH
A. Bono
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
S. Nealis
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Antley
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
N. Markovic
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Stroud
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Clark
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Kijima
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Turner
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
L. Munteanu
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Philadelphia Union

Goalkeepers
A. Blake
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
1
Key Passes
1
Key Passes
0
Assists
21%
Pass Acc
Defenders
N. Harriel
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
9
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
O. Makhanya
MAGNET
MAGNET
92
Activity
92
Activity
76
Passes
16
Duels
J. Sery Larsen
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
55%
Duel Win %
F. Sundstrom
ENFORCER
ENFORCER
4
Tackles
4
Tackles
6
Duels Won
75%
Win %
Midfielders
I. Vassilev
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
79
Total Mins
79
Entry
D. Jean Jacques
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Bueno
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
57
Total Mins
57
Entry
M. Iloski
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
70
Entry
Forwards
E. Alladoh
FRIENDLY FIRE
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
0
Fouls
6.2
Rating
B. Damiani
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
79
Total Mins
79
Entry
BENCH
A. Rick
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
G. Martinez
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Rafanello
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Bedoya
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Sullivan
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Olivas
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Korzeniowski
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Anello
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
33
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Head to Head

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
02/22/2026 DC United 1 - 0 Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer Audi Field
09/27/2025 DC United 0 - 6 Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer Audi Field
04/26/2025 Philadelphia Union 3 - 0 DC United Major League Soccer Subaru Park
09/22/2024 Philadelphia Union 4 - 0 DC United Major League Soccer Subaru Park
05/04/2024 DC United 2 - 2 Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer Audi Field
08/26/2023 DC United 1 - 3 Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer Audi Field
02/22/2026
Major League Soccer Audi Field
09/27/2025
Major League Soccer Audi Field
04/26/2025
Major League Soccer Subaru Park
09/22/2024
Major League Soccer Subaru Park
05/04/2024
Major League Soccer Audi Field
08/26/2023
Major League Soccer Audi Field
DC United Win
Philadelphia Union Win
Draw

League Standings