Match Report: D.C. United 0 - 0 Atlanta United
Written by Sam Brummitt
Photography by Sam Brummitt
Washington, D.C. – Recent matches between these two clubs have not generated much in terms of goals or excitement. The first match between D.C. and Atlanta earlier this season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta ended in a scoreless draw with only 11 shots and a paltry 0.48 total expected goals (0.31 xG for DC and 0.17 xG for Atlanta) over 90 minutes. The final game for these two teams last season was a hum drum affair in in Atlanta on October 18, 2025, when a 1-1 draw guaranteed that D.C. finished at the bottom of the Supporters Shield rankings and “won” the wooden spoon. The last match between these two teams at Audi Field in July 2025 ended in a scoreless draw.
Both teams would consider Saturday’s match to be a must win in order to stay in the playoff race, so you would think that would light a fire under the players on both sides. There were good chances on both sides, and multiple shots that hit the woodwork or the side of the net, but instead the matchup lived up to recent history – D.C. managed zero shots on target and zero goals. Atlanta had the better of the offensive opportunities, with four of their 20 shots on target. Atlanta could not find the back of the net and both teams came away with one point.
Nathan Ordaz, in his second start for D.C., created the first good chance of the game in the 8th minute with a shot from the corner of Atlanta’s box. His attempt to curl the ball inside the far post ended up going wide. Atlanta answered two minutes later when Breel Embolo, the newly signed Designated Player, shot the ball over the cross bar from close range. Sean Johnson was out of place and it seemed to be an easy shot for an elite striker, but his touch to settle the ball invited pressure from Kye Rowles and caused Embolo to chip it high instead of punching it straight at the goal.
Silvan Hefti speculated on a long shot in the 22nd minute that went off target. Three minutes later, Atlanta cleared a D.C. corner only for the ball to fall at the feet of Andre Dozzell outside the box shot with plenty of space. Dozzell’s shot went over the bar in the 25th minute. That would be the last shot D.C. managed in the first half. None were on target.
Miguel Almiron had three good chances for Atlanta in the first half. He made two excellent runs to receive long passes over D.C.’s back line. In his first attempt the pass was beyond his reach and while he was able to bring the second pass down with his chest and then turn towards goal, his shot was off target. Almiron also had a decent chance from 10 yards out in the 42nd minute on a cross that went wide.
In the second half D.C. only managed one shot in the second half when Baribo’s header off a long cross in the 65th minute went over the bar.
Atlanta threatened in the 54th minute, but Kimito Nono hustled back just in time to slide in front of Atlanta’s Cooper Sanchez to deflect his shot wide. Johnson made a save on Embolo’s 60th minute attempt and then was lucky that an attempt by a few minutes later went over the bar, and a bicycle kick attempted by Embolo from close range hit the post. D.C.’s low block, Sean Johnson’s shotstopping, and some unlucky finishing by Atlanta resulted in a clean sheet for the Black-and-Red.
Post-Match Quotes
René Weiler on the team’s performance:
We didn't play the best {game}. It was at the end a good result {with the} draw, but we didn't play a good game. So some key players, they didn't perform how they had to perform in our squad… But at the end they {fought} and they got out, they clinched it and the result is a good result.”
Weiler on how Baribo affects opposing team’s defense:
{Baribo} is a guy who {does not} need{} a lot of goal scoring chances to score a goal. He scored so far 14 goals, that is a great number. We know it and even the opponents know it and I'm happy that he's in our team and not in another team.
Three Points
Lackluster Attack - D.C. could not muster many threats on offense, managing only 0.19 expected goals to Atlanta’s 1.62 per Fotmob (0.38 xG for D.C. to Atlanta’s 2.11 xG based on American Soccer Analysis’ match data data), but came away with a point due to their strong defensive performance.
Defensive Highlights - Sean Johnson had three saves and one clearance on the night. Rowles also had a strong performance with 15 defensive contributions and four blocks. When D.C.’s key defensive players are all healthy the team is difficult to break down.
Draws Good Enough for the Playoffs? - The draw against Atlanta was D.C.’s 11th draw of the season, tied with Toronto FC for the most draws in the league. D.C. has managed more draws and more losses (5 each) at home than wins (4). Dropping points against teams lower in the standings at home will likely not be enough to get the team above the playoff line.
Starting XIs
D.C. United (4-4-2)
Johnson; Hefti (56’ - Hopkins), Bartlett (C), Rowles, Kurokawa; Nono, Servania (56’ - Peltola), Dozzell (82’ - Markovic), Ordaz (56’ Stroud); Munteanu (89’ - Kijima), Baribo
Unused Substitutes: Bono, Nealis
Head Coach: René Weiler
Atlanta United (4-3-3)
Hoyos; Jacob, Mihaj, Alonso (57’ - Edwards), Baez; Sanchez (87’ - Brennan), Amaro (57' - Gill), Fortune (Muyumba 57'); Miranchuk, Embolo, Almiron (C) (Picault 73'),
Unused Substitutes: Hibbert, Santos, Picault, Diaz, Reilly
Head Coach: Tata Martino
Scoring Summary
D.C. United
None
Atlanta United
None
Booking Summary
D.C. United
68’ - Rowles (Yellow Card)
70’ - Nono (Yellow Card)
71’ - Stroud (Yellow Card)
Atlanta United
36’ - Amaro (Yellow Card)
62’ - Muyumba (Yellow Card)
Up Next
D.C. United hosts Charlotte FC at Audi Field on Saturday, September 19. D.C. is three points below the playoff line. D.C. has a game in hand with the FC Cincinnati match that was postponed due to lightning and heavy rain on September 5 rescheduled for October 21, however, the team has one of the more challenging schedules in the final 10 games of the season, with away trips to Vancouver and Miami.
Atlanta United continues their road trip with a visit to Providence Park to take on the Portland Timbers on Saturday, September 19 at 10:30 pm ET. The Five Stripes then play two home games against NYCFC and FC Cincinnati.
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