Philadelphia Union
Union Aim to Build on First Win in Rematch vs. D.C. United
The Union faces its first repeat opponent of the season, hosting D.C. United later this evening. With a combined three wins between the clubs, each side is looking for the edge that will spring them back into the playoff conversation. Can the U keep the momentum going as they come off their first victory of the season? Let’s break down the matchup.
D.C. United Searching for Answers Amid April Struggles
April has treated United poorly so far. Winless in three, one of which came in one of the largest upsets of the U.S. Open Cup this year, has also set United back to ninth in the MLS standings.
On Wednesday, a rotated Black-and-Red side hosted One Knoxville SC at Audi Field. Head Coach René Weiler’s team held the lead twice in extra time. But they lost each advantage and sent the match to spot kicks. DCU’s U.S. Open Cup run ended quickly. The only remaining USL One club eliminated them.
However, United found success against Philly in their opening match of 2026, sitting as one of their two victories on the season. D.C. held the Union to only a single shot in that match, claiming victory off the boot of former Philly man Tai Baribo.
Tai’s time in the nation’s capital has been impactful, scoring three of the club’s four goals on the season thus far. The other goal belongs to 23-year-old Finnish midfielder Matti Peltola. D.C. United has the fewest goals scored across the league, with the Union and a plethora of other clubs sitting at six goals.
The saving grace in United’s three positive results has been their back line. Led by Sean Johnson, the team conceded nine goals this season. Defense led the way to all of United’s points, only conceding one of those goals in their three point-earning matches.
Looking at the squad, Tai Baribo battles injury and will be a game-time decision for the match this evening. A player to watch is certainly Gabriel Pirani, who always remains dangerous to Philadelphia in the attack across his three seasons in MLS play.
This match will be the first of a two-game road trip for United. They face the New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium next weekend.
Keys to Success
DCU found success by containing Philadelphia’s attack through midfield. The Union is still struggling this season. Continuing to frustrate and stagnate the attack away from home could create a chance to steal points at Subaru Park. It took just one chance through the backline gaps for Tai Baribo to score in the season opener. One chance may be all they need to steal six points this season.
Philadelphia Finding Life After Breakthrough Victory
A rare occurrence for the Union so far this season, they will enter this match with momentum. The U found their first points and victory of the season last weekend against a struggling Montreal side. Now, rested off a full week, they will host D.C. with a chance to continue their winning ways.
Two new goal scorers found their way onto the stat sheet last weekend. Japhet Sery Larson, who has proved to be one of the shining spots of the Union backline this season, found his first goal in the Blue and Gold to equalize. Then, in the late moments of the match, Jesus Bueno’s first goal of the season gave the Union their first lead of the year in MLS play.
Bueno, who continues to improve with every minute he finds himself on the pitch, brought the perfect spark to a midfield that continues to be questioned. His minutes and impact in the match this evening will be crucial to the U’s success.
“We have been struggling to find the wins, but you have to start somewhere. We have to take advantage of these three away points, and utilize this as motivation for this home game,” Bueno said.
Off the injury report, Head Coach Bradley Carnell also shared that Danley Jean Jeaque is back and training with the club. However, there is still no answer on the status of Agustin Anello.
A player to watch in this match is Milan Iloski. The Union winger and forward recorded 23 shots in his first 7 MLS matches with the club, but only one on target. Question marks surround the promising striker with his first full season at the club, but on a picture-perfect day at the grounds, I could see this match finally being his breakthrough.
Keys to Success
Pressure, creativity, and consistency. The Union lost its first match to D.C. after just one defensive breakdown. While United is not the easiest team to find scoring chances on, they’ve conceded five goals in their last two MLS matches. If the Union can find an early goal and keep the momentum, they could just be on their way to another six points.
You can catch the match on Apple TV+ at 7:30 PM.
