Washington, D.C. (Sept. 29, 2026) – D.C. United and Special Olympics DC hosted Charlotte FC’s Special Olympics Unified Team to Audi Field on Saturday, Sept. 19. Immediately following D.C. United’s match against Charlotte FC. Charlotte earned a 2-0 win in the season finale for Special Olympics DC’s Unified Team, which brings athletes with and without intellectual disabilities together on the same field.
Both sides started strong, battling for possession in a competitive first half. DC’s Unified goalkeeper made several key saves to keep the match scoreless at the break.
Charlotte broke through just under 10 minutes into the second half and added a second goal 10 minutes later. DC pushed forward in search of a response, but Charlotte’s defense held firm to secure the 2-0 result.
“This Charlotte team is really incredible, especially their defenders. They cleaned everything up and made it very difficult for us,” said Nathan Young, Special Olympics DC Unified Head Coach. Our team played hard until the end. We had our chances. We’re not used to playing on a field this big but I'm proud of them. They put in a great effort tonight.”
A Night Built Around the Players
The celebration extended across the full evening at Audi Field. Special Olympics DC was recognized as the Nonprofit of the Match for D.C. United's game against Charlotte FC, spotlighting the organization's work in front of the home crowd before its athletes took the field.
The experience began well before kickoff. Both Unified teams came together for a pregame celebration before taking the field under the lights. D.C. United first team players joined the pre-match huddle and stayed on the bench throughout the match, cheering on DC's players and offering encouragement as they came off the field.
"At Audi Field, all are welcome and all are united, and tonight showed exactly what that means," said Shanell Mosley, Senior Director of Community Impact at D.C. United and Executive Director of the D.C. United Foundation. "From the pregame celebration to our First Team players cheering from the bench, this night was about our Unified athletes and the community around them. We're proud to keep creating these moments and building a club where everyone belongs."
A Season of Firsts
Saturday's match was the second of the season for Special Olympics DC's Unified Team. In July, the team made history when it traveled with D.C. United's First Team on the club's charter flight to face Houston Dynamo FC's Unified Team on Tuesday, July 21, a true road-trip experience.
"The players absolutely love this," Young said. "In Houston, we got to travel on the plane with the team. Tonight, D.C. United players were sitting on our bench, cheering our guys on and giving them advice. It's an incredible experience for them."
Special Olympics DC offers Unified Sports throughout the year. Visit specialolympicsdc.org for more information.
