D.C. United fell 4-1 to the Philadelphia Union in their eighth match of the 2020 MLS Regular Season at Subaru Park in Chester, PA.
With a handful of injuries, Head Coach Ben Olsen made four changes to the starting lineup. Chris Seitz started in goal for the first time in 2020 and new acquisition Axel Sjöberg made his D.C. United debut in the backline alongside Joseph Mora and Donovan Pines. Yamil Asad shifted into the attacking midfield role with Julian Gressel and Kevin Paredes playing as wing backs. Ulises Segura and Ola Kamara started up front to lead the line for the Black-and-Red in the 3-5-2 formation.
Philadelphia scored the opening goal in the seventh minute after Kacper Przybylko scored from close range. The Union added two goals shortly after in the 16th and 21st minute to give them a 3-0 lead going into halftime.
In the second half, the Black-and-Red had a bigger share of the possession and were better in the defensive third. Ola Kamara, Julian Gressel and Ulises Segura all created a couple of chances but were unable to find the breakthrough.for the Black-and-Red. Philadelphia then added to their lead in the 61st minute when Brenden Aaronson scored on a counter attack with D.C. United pushing for a goal.
D.C. United responded shortly after with a goal in the 64th minute with Julian Gressel scoring his first goal for the Black-and-Red. Júnior Moreno received the ball in the midfield and found Gressel in space on the right wing then rifled a shot past Andre Blake.
Homegrown midfielder, Moses Nyeman, made his D.C. United debut as a 79th minute substitute. The 16-year old looked comfortable in his first MLS Regular Season match and had positive moments on the ball. He joined Griffin Yow, Kevin Paredes and Donovan Pines as four Homegrown players appeared in the match.
D.C. United will now regroup in Washington, DC before facing the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday, September 2 at 7:30 p.m. EST
