Philadelphia Union drop points to DC United in frustrating draw

Philadelphia Union teams of old scored goals in bunches against DC United but another 90 minutes against their I-95 rivals was still not enough to find the back of the net for the Union in a game that ended in a frustrating draw for a home crowd accustomed to blowout wins over the black and red.

Over four seasons from 2022-2025 the Union scored 31 goals against D.C. United for an average of close to 4 goals a game but after Saturday night the teams’ 2026 fixture ended with the Union scoreless in two matches. Tai Baribo scored against his former team in their 1-0 win to open the season in February at Audi Field but was barely a factor for a D.C. team that failed to record a shot on goal and finished with .9 xG.

The Union, on the other hand, did not want for opportunities, registering 17 shots and forcing Sean Johnson into four saves on the evening while recording a 1.5 xG.

Bruno Damiani, Jesus Bueno and Milan Iloski all registered four shots on the night and had decent looks either miss the target, hit a defender’s leg, clank the woodwork or end up on Johnson’s highlight reel for the night.

Andre Blake wasn’t tested all that much but did come up with a big intervention in the second half to deny a dangerous cross and Olwethu Makhanya and Japhet Sery Larsen looked as comfortable together as they have looked yet pairing at the heart of the defense. D.C. United had a few bright moments where they were able to push the ball forward in transition but for the most part the one way traffic that is common in the fixture took shape most of the night, minus the goals that usually come in bunches.

Nikola Markovich was one reason why the Union failed to score. The rookie and No. 1 SuperDraft pick was active for D.C. United in defense with several critical tackles and clearances but he was also lucky to stay in the game when he went feet first into a challenge against Nathan Harriel that somehow only warranted a yellow card. His headed goal-line clearance, block of Bueno’s volley in the box and last ditch tackle to deny Iloski a chance from close range were all critical interventions for a D.C. United team that picked up their first point from a match since a scoreless draw with Atlanta United on March 21.

Given how little offense D.C. produced on the night, the draw felt more favorable for the visitors than for the hosts, which were looking to build on their long-awaited first win of the season last Saturday in Montreal but instead had to settle for a scoreless draw.

The Union will be back out mid-week on Wednesday with a visit to Toronto FC.