D.C. United earned a point on the road on Saturday night, holding the Philadelphia Union to a 0-0 draw at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. The result moves the Black-and-Red to 2-4-2 with eight points in the Eastern Conference, with the club picking up their second away draw of the 2026 MLS season.
Head Coach René Weiler made one change to the starting XI from last week's 1-0 defeat at New England, with defender Nikola Markovic making his first MLS start for D.C. United in place of Brandon Servania. Forward Tai Baribo also returned to the starting lineup after missing the previous two matches with an injury. D.C. United lined up with goalkeeper Sean Johnson behind a back four of Lucas Bartlett, Silvan Hefti, Kye Rowles, and Keisuke Kurokawa, with Matti Peltola and Nikola Markovic anchoring the midfield. Forwards Tai Baribo and Jackson Hopkins led the press ahead of midfielders João Peglow and Aaron Herrera.
The Black-and-Red showed defensive resolve throughout a competitive first half, limiting Philadelphia to few clear looks on goal despite the Union's efforts to impose themselves at home. D.C. United picked up three yellow cards during the match, with forward Tai Baribo cautioned in the 35th minute, Peglow in the 37th, and Markovic in the 60th.
Weiler made his first changes in the 75th minute, introducing midfielder Caden Clark for Peglow and midfielder Gavin Turner for Hopkins as the Black-and-Red looked to see the match out. Philadelphia had the better of the chances on the night, finishing with a 17-5 edge in total shots and a 4-0 advantage in shots on target, but D.C. United's defensive structure held firm. Goalkeeper Sean Johnson was not called upon to make a save, with the back line doing the work to preserve the clean sheet.
Defender Nikola Markovic was a standout in his first MLS start, recording six headed clearances and 19 defensive contributions across 90 minutes. Midfielder João Peglow contributed four passes into the final third and six recoveries before being replaced in the 75th minute. Baribo created one chance and registered one shot in his return to his former club.
D.C. United are now 2-4-2 with eight points in the Eastern Conference and hold a 10-22-8 all-time record against Philadelphia Union in regular season play, including a 3-14-2 mark on the road. The Black-and-Red return to Audi Field on Wednesday, April 22 to face the New York Red Bulls in MLS regular season action. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Philadelphia Union Lineup: Andre Blake, Japhet Sery Larsen, Nathan Harriel, Olwethu Makhanya, Francis Westfield, Jovan Lukic, Jesus Bueno (Danley Jean Jacques 76'), Bruno Damiani, Milan Iloski, Indiana Vassilev (Cavan Sullivan 64'), Ezekiel Alladoh
Unused Substitutes: Andrew Rick, Geiner Martinez, Alejandro Bedoya, Jeremy Rafanello, Ben Bender, Philippe Ndinga, Malik Jakupovic
Head Coach: Bradley Carnell
D.C. United Lineup: Sean Johnson, Lucas Bartlett, Silvan Hefti, Keisuke Kurokawa, Kye Rowles, Matti Peltola, Nikola Markovic, João Peglow (Caden Clark 75'), Tai Baribo, Aaron Herrera, Jackson Hopkins (Gavin Turner 75')
Unused Substitutes: Alex Bono, Jordan Farr, Jared Stroud, Conner Antley, Jacob Murrell, Brandon Servania, Hosei Kijima
Head Coach: René Weiler
