D.C. United recorded it's second consecutive draw after a 4-4 thriller against visting Eastern Conference rivals CF Montréal at Audi Field. Goals came from forwards Louis Munteanu and Tai Baribo, as well as midfielder Jared Stroud and captain Lucas Bartlett. Heading into the World Cup break, D.C. United sit ninth in the Eastern Conference with 18 points and a record of 4-5-6.
Head Coach René Weiler made one change to the starting XI, bringing in Stroud to replace Jackson Hopkins. The Black-and-Red created several chances in the opening minutes and capitalized early on, with Munteanu scoring a rebound header off a shot by midfielder Brandon Servania in the ninth minute. D.C. United goalkeeper Sean Johnson got involved in the 25th minute, saving a shot from Montréal forward Noah Streit, which led to a quick response by the Black-and-Red. Two minutes later, Stroud placed a left-footed shot that deflected into the bottom corner, adding to D.C. United’s lead. The goal resulted from a quick build-up in the final third that involved five D.C. United players. In the first minute of first half stoppage time, Montréal forward Prince Owusu scored an unassisted goal that ended the half with the Black-and-Red in front 2-1.
D.C. United came out of the half aggressively, going up 3-1 in the 51st minute. Bartlett was brought down by Owusu in the box, winning a penalty for his side, which was converted by Baribo for his eighth goal of the season. Ten minutes later, Montréal pulled one back with a second goal from Owusu, who struck a half volley into the bottom right corner, assisted by a long ball from midfielder Wiki Carmona. The referee admonished both teams for poor sportsmanship following the goal, with midfielders Brandon Servania and Daniel Rios receiving yellow cards. As Montréal pressed on for a tying goal, Weiler subbed on midfielder Jackson Hopkins and defender Nikola Markovic for Stroud and Baribo. He also called upon defender Conner Antley who was brought on for Silvan Hefti.
Bartlett scored the Black-and-Red’s fourth of the night when he headed in a cross from defender Keisuke Kurokawa’s corner kick in the 87th minute. Montréal was awarded a penalty in the fourth minute of stoppage time through a VAR review of a handball in the box, which Owusu converted for his third of the match. Montréal struck again to tie it in the sixth minute of stoppage time, with Owusu putting a ball across the face of goal that was finished by forward Hennadii Synchuk. After 10 minutes of second half stoppage time, the match ended 4-4 with both sides sharing a point.
MLS will now break for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and D.C. United return to action on Wednesday, July 22 as they travel to the Lone Star State to take on Houston Dynamo FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.
D.C. United Lineup: Sean Johnson, Lucas Bartlett, Silvan Hefti (Conner Antley 78'), Keisuke Kurokawa, Kye Rowles, Matti Peltola, Brandon Servania, Joao Peglow, Jared Stroud (Nikola Markovic 67'), Tai Baribo (Jackson Hopskins 67'), Louis Munteanu (Hosei Kijima 90+9')
Unused Substitutes: Alex Bono, Caden Clark, Gavin Turner, Jordan Farr, Jacob Murrell
Head Coach: René Weiler
CF Montréal Lineup: Thomas Gillier, Brayan Vera, Luca Petrasso, Efrain Morales, Dawid Bugaj (Dagur Thorhallsson 46'), Matty Longstaff, Victor Loturi, Olger Escobar (Daniel Rios 46'), Noah Streit (Hennadii Synchuk 67'), Prince Owusu, Wikelman Carmona
Unused Substitutes: Sebastian Breza, Jalen Neal, Brandan Craig, Samuel Piette, Kwado Opoku, Frankie Amaya
Head Coach: Philippe Eullaffroy
