Major League Soccer Gameweek 1
DC United 1 - 0 FT Philadelphia Union
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
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
Sean Johnson 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Silvan Hefti
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lucas Bartlett 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Kye Rowles
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Keisuke Kurokawa 
DRIBBLER
3
Dribbles
3
Dribbles
3
Attempts
100%
Success %
Midfielders
Jackson Hopkins
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Matti Peltola
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Brandon Servania
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
João Peglow 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
7.5
Rating
Forwards
Tai Baribo 
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
11
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Gabriel Pirani
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
70
Entry
BENCH
Alex Bono 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
S. Nealis
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Conner Antley
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nikola Markovic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jared Stroud
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Caden Clark
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hosei Kijima
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gavin Turner
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Louis Munteanu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Philadelphia Union
Goalkeepers
Andre Blake 
ARCHITECT
1
Key Passes
1
Key Passes
0
Assists
21%
Pass Acc
Defenders
Nathan Harriel
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
9
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Olwethu Makhanya 
MAGNET
92
Activity
92
Activity
76
Passes
16
Duels
Japhet Sery Larsen 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
55%
Duel Win %
F. Sundstrom 
ENFORCER
4
Tackles
4
Tackles
6
Duels Won
75%
Win %
Midfielders
Indiana Vassilev
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
79
Total Mins
79
Entry
Danley Jean-Jacques
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jesús Bueno
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
57
Total Mins
57
Entry
Milan Iloski
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
70
Entry
Forwards
Ezekiel Alladoh 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
0
Fouls
6.2
Rating
Bruno Damiani
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
79
Total Mins
79
Entry
BENCH
Andrew Rick
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Geiner Martínez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jeremy Rafanello
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alejandro Bedoya
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Cavan Sullivan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sal Olivas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Stas Kornzeniowski
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Augustin Anello
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
09/27/2025
04/26/2025
09/22/2024
05/04/2024
08/26/2023
DC United Win
Philadelphia Union Win
Draw
League Standings
| Pos | Team | P | Pts | GF | GA | GD | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville SC | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | +3 | WNashville SC 4 - 1 New England Revolution (22-02-2026) |
| 2 | FC Cincinnati | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | +2 | WFC Cincinnati 2 - 0 Atlanta United FC (21-02-2026) |
| 3 | New York Red Bulls | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +1 | WOrlando City SC 1 - 2 New York Red Bulls (22-02-2026) |
| 4 | DC United | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | +1 | WDC United 1 - 0 Philadelphia Union (22-02-2026) |
| 5 | Orlando City SC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -1 | LOrlando City SC 1 - 2 New York Red Bulls (22-02-2026) |
| 6 | Philadelphia Union | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | LDC United 1 - 0 Philadelphia Union (22-02-2026) |
| 7 | Atlanta United FC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 | LFC Cincinnati 2 - 0 Atlanta United FC (21-02-2026) |
| 8 | New England Revolution | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -3 | LNashville SC 4 - 1 New England Revolution (22-02-2026) |
League Standings
P: 25 GD: +29
P: 25 GD: +15
P: 25 GD: +10
P: 25 GD: +9
P: 24 GD: +10
P: 25 GD: -12
P: 25 GD: +7
P: 25 GD: +6
P: 24 GD: -7
P: 25 GD: -15
P: 24 GD: -7
P: 25 GD: -8
P: 25 GD: -7
P: 25 GD: -14
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
DC United
Philadelphia Union
DC United
Philadelphia Union
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Capital Punishment: DC United Draw First Blood
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 39/100. 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.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
Desperation Meets Inconsistency in the Capital
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 23/100. With Philadelphia mired in a miserable losing streak and early-season stakes remaining low, this fixture is strictly for the diehards.
The Setup
The Philadelphia Union arrive at Audi Field on February 22, 2026, dragging a dreadful five-match losing streak behind them. Sitting rock bottom of the standings with zero points, their Form is alarming. DC United, currently sitting sixth with seven points, have been wildly unpredictable themselves. The Stakes feel surprisingly modest for this early regular-season clash, though this serves as the first act of a two-part series, with the return leg scheduled in Philadelphia on April 18. Despite the lack of marquee Stars, the Balance metric suggests a tight, nervous affair where the visitors are actually slight favorites to finally stop the rot.
Key Battle
The defining clash happens between Philadelphia's frantic offensive unit trying to break a dreadful slump and DC United's relatively stable back line. The visitors have only managed three goals all season, meaning their forward line must find a rhythm against a home defense that has conceded just four times. It is less about individual brilliance and more about collective discipline versus sheer desperation.
Our Take
Expect a gritty, disjointed match. Philadelphia's desperation to end their losing streak will clash with DC's cautious approach. We back a frustrating draw, with neither side finding the cutting edge necessary to take full control ahead of the April return leg.