D.C. United opened the 2026 MLS season with a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union at Audi Field on Saturday night. Tai Baribo scored the lone goal against his former club in the 23rd minute, and goalkeeper Sean Johnson recorded a clean sheet in his first start for the Black-and-Red. The result snaps a long winless stretch in the rivalry, D.C. United's first win over the Union since August 28, 2021.
It was a night of debuts across the board. Sean Johnson, Silvan Hefti, Keisuke Kurokawa, and Tai Baribo all made their first competitive starts for D.C. United. Forward Louis Munteanu came off the bench in the 70th minute for his club debut while first overall selection Nikola Marković made his MLS debut as a 90th-minute substitute. Head Coach René Weiler picked up the first regular season victory of the 2026 campaign, and the new-look squad showed early glimpses of the identity he's been building since preseason.
The Black-and-Red created the first real chance in the 6th minute when Matti Peltola found Lucas Bartlett on a set piece, but Bartlett's left-footed shot from the center of the box went just wide. D.C. United broke through in the 23rd minute on a well-worked fast break where Joao Peglow played the ball to Tai Baribo, who drove a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the bottom right corner past Union goalkeeper Andre Blake to give the home side the lead.
Philadelphia responded with pressure of their own. Milan Iloski tested Sean Johnson twice in the first half, first from a tight angle on the left in the 22nd minute, then from distance in the 38th, and Johnson was up to the task on both occasions. D.C. United nearly doubled the advantage right before halftime when Baribo struck the right post off a set piece assisted by Jackson Hopkins.
The Union's night became more difficult in the 58th minute when striker Ezekiel Alladoh was shown a straight red card, reducing Philadelphia to ten men. D.C. United took command from there, controlling possession and limiting the visitors' attacking threats. Weiler introduced Munteanu for Gabriel Pirani in the 70th minute, and the Romanian forward looked sharp in his 20-minute cameo, getting off two shots that both went narrowly wide.
Philadelphia still managed to create a few late looks through substitute Augustín Anello and a Danley Jean Jacques effort from inside the box, but the defensive unit of Bartlett, Rowles, Hefti, and Kurokawa stayed disciplined throughout. Johnson finished with three saves on the night.
The final minutes grew heated, with yellow cards issued to Hopkins and Peglow for D.C. United and Jean Jacques and Japhet Sery Larsen for the Union.
Peltola anchored the midfield with a strong 90-minute performance, seven defensive recoveries and an 84% passing accuracy. Brandon Servania provided a steady presence alongside him, winning a pair of free kicks and helping control the tempo through the middle.
A clean sheet, three points, and a statement win over their rivals to open the season. D.C. United will look to carry the momentum into next week as the 2026 campaign continues.
D.C. United Lineup: Sean Johnson, Lucas Bartlett, Silvan Hefti, Kye Rowles, Keisuke Kurokawa, Matti Peltola, Brandon Servania, Jackson Hopkins (Nikola Markovic 90'), João Peglow, Tai Baribo (Sean Nealis 90' + 3'), Gabriel Pirani (Louis Munteanu 70')
Unused Substitutes: Alex Bono, Hosei Kijima, Gavin Turner, Caden Clark, Conner Antley, Jared Stroud
Head Coach: René Weiler
Philadelphia Union FC Lineup: Andre Blake, Japhet Larsen, Nathan Harriel, Olwethu Makhanya, Francis Westfield, Jesus Bueno (Agustin Anello 57'), Danley Jean Jacques, Bruno Damiani (Stas Korzeniowski 79), Milan Iloski (Cavan Sullivan 46'), Indiana Vassilev (Alejandro Bedoya 79'), Ezekiel Alladoh
Unused Substitutes: Andrew Rick, Finn Sundstrom, Geiner Martinez, Jeremy Rafanello, Sal Olivas
Head Coach: Bradley Carnell
