Story of the Match
D.C. United will face Eastern Conference opponent Atlanta United FC at Audi Field on July 5, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
The Black-and-Red will aim to rebound at home after a narrow 1-0 defeat last weekend against Nashville SC. This will be the first meeting between D.C. United and Atlanta United in the 2025 MLS season. The two sides last met at Audi Field on June 19, 2024, in a match where Atlanta United Midfielder, Thiago Almada scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory. D.C. United currently holds a 4-10-6 record (18 points) in the Eastern Conference.
D.C. United is coming off a hard-fought defensive battle in the 1-0 loss against Nashville SC on June 28. After conceding an early penalty in the 18th minute, the Black-and-Red pushed forward and nearly found an equalizer in the 56th minute through midfielder Matti Peltola whose shot strayed wide . Head Coach Troy Lesesne made impactful second-half adjustments, introducing Christian Benteke, João Peglow, and Gabriel Pirani in the 62nd minute to spark the attack. Benteke, making his first appearance since May 14 due to injury, almost leveled the match in the 66th minute with a powerful header that went just wide of the post. Gabriel Pirani was active up front as well, seeing a late shot blocked by a defender in the 80th minute. On the left flank, defender David Schnegg consistently pushed forward, delivering dangerous crosses and had two of his attempted shots blocked (in the 59th and 91st minutes) as D.C. United pressed for a goal.
Despite the result, the Black-and-Red showed resilience across the field. The defensive trio of Lucas Bartlett, Garrison Tubbs, and Kye Rowles provided stability at the back, limiting Nashville’s open-play opportunities. The D.C. United backline held the visitors to just two shots on goal all match, with goalkeeper Luis Barraza making one vital save in the 37th minute to keep the score within reach. D.C. United finished the game with seven total shots (one on target) and earned four corner kicks, demonstrating an ability to create pressure while chasing the game. Now, the focus shifts to another home test on Saturday, July 5th as D.C. United looks to capitalize on goalscoring chances and get back their first win since a 2-1 win against Cincinnati FC on May 31st.
Atlanta United FC (4-10-5, 17 pts.) comes into Saturday’s match sitting just below D.C. United in 14th place in the Eastern Conference. The Five Stripes have struggled on the road this season, carrying a 0-7-2 record away from home, and are looking to reverse their fortunes at Audi Field. Atlanta’s most recent MLS outing was a 3-1 defeat on the road to the Columbus Crew on June 25. Atlanta have been in a rough patch of form, losing thier last three matches and conceding nine goals across those games including a 4-0 loss at New York City FC on June 12. After an extended break in June due to international competitions, Atlanta will be ready to regroup and find some momentum as they travel to Audi Field.
Head Coach Ronny Deila will look to jumpstart Atlanta’s attack by leaning on several key players. Forward Emmanuel Latte Lath leads Atlanta with five goals this season, providing a physical presence up top. Atlanta also bolstered its roster by bringing back former star Miguel Almirón, who rejoined the team in January after five years in Europe. Almirón, a pivotal figure in Atlanta’s 2018 championship run, has already made an impact in 2025 and adds creativity to the midfield. The Five Stripes have scored 22 goals in 19 matches, but they have also been vulnerable defensively, conceding 37 goals (tied for second-most in the East). Atlanta will be determined to tighten up their backline to halt their slide down the Eastern Conference standings.
The Black-and-Red will once again be without star right-back Aaron Herrera, who is returning from international duty with the Guatemala National Team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Herrera's continued absence comes as Guatemala impressively topped Group D and a dramatic 2025 quarterfinal victory over Canada on June 29. Herrera was instrumental in the 1-1 draw that saw Guatemala advance 6-5 in a tense penalty shootout. Guatemala faced the United States in the CONCACF Gold Cup semifinal on July 2nd, ultimately losing 2-1. Additionally midfielder Matti Peltola has returned from his stint with the Finland U-21 National Team and featured in the last match, giving D.C. United added depth in midfield. Saturday’s game could also mark a significant moment for D.C.’s offense if Christian Benteke is ready to play a larger role; the veteran striker was the club’s leading scorer before his injury with the 2024 MLS Golden Boot winner returning to action as a 62nd minute substitute last Saturday.
D.C. United will need a focused and high-energy performance to earn three points against Atlanta. That means disrupting Atlanta’s playmakers and not allowing the visitors’ attack to find a rhythm. The Black-and-Red must apply heavy pressure on Atlanta’s midfield to force turnovers and limit service to their forwards. At the same time, D.C. will look to exploit Atlanta’s defensive vulnerabilities and capitalize on any mistakes in the backline. An early goal for the home side could set the tone at Audi Field, as United aims to improve their home record this season.
By the Numbers | D.C. United vs. Nashville SC | June 28, 2025
- Forward Christian Benteke made his first appearance for D.C. United since May 14, coming on as a substitute in the 62nd minute. Benteke recorded one shot and won two duels in 28 minutes of action.
- Defender David Schnegg won a game-high seven duels and recorded seven recoveries in the match. Schnegg was active on the flank all night, completing 90 minutes with eight passes into the final third and a 100% dribble success rate.
- Midfielder Brandon Servania delivered a solid two-way performance, finishing with an 85% passing accuracy and winning five ground duels in 77 minutes.
- Homegrown midfielder Jackson Hopkins made his first appearance for the Black-and-Red since May 24 against the New York Red Bulls.
Last Match Against Atlanta United FC | June 19, 2024 @ Audi Field
In their previous meeting with Atlanta United, D.C. United fell 1-0 at Audi Field on June 19, 2024. The tightly contested match was scoreless until the 79th minute, when Atlanta’s Thiago Almada produced a moment of brilliance, dribbling past multiple defenders and curling a right-footed shot into the top corner from outside the box. That spectacular goal proved to be the difference as Atlanta secured the road win. D.C. United had the majority of the possession in the match and even found the net in the 51st minute through Mateusz Klich, but the goal was called offside after review. The Black-and-Red created several chances and put pressure on Atlanta’s defense, including a Benteke header on target early in the match, but ultimately could not find an equalizer. The 2024 season series between the clubs was split with D.C. United earning a 3-2 victory led by a Christian Benteke hat-trick at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in May 2024. The Black-and-Red will look to draw on that winning formula as they face Atlanta for the first time in 2025, aiming to claim all three points at home.
How to Watch
D.C. United fans can catch all the action of their favorite team by subscribing to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. With this subscription, you can watch every D.C. United game live, whether it’s home or away, along with exclusive pre- and post-match coverage. Simply open the Apple TV app, navigate to MLS Season Pass, and subscribe to enjoy the entire 2025 season. Whether you're at home or on the go, you'll have access to every match, ensuring you never miss a moment of D.C. United's season. Enjoy seamless streaming on your Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, and more!
Radio broadcasts will be available live on 1190 iHeart Sports DC, 101.1 HD2, and the iHeartRadio App. Legendary broadcaster Dave Johnson, who has called games for D.C. United since the club’s inception in 1996 will return to the booth alongside Bruce Murray, former United States National Team player (1985-1993, 85 caps and 21 goals) and Class of 2011 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee. The pair have partnered on radio calls since 2023 to deliver high-quality and passionate radio calls for fans. Supporters watching D.C. United MLS Regular Season games on MLS Season Pass can opt to listen to Dave Johnson and Bruce Murray calling the game on the MLS Local Radio Broadcast channel.
