Match Report: D.C. United 1-0 Philadelphia Union

elclasicohonduras
1 day ago
3 min read

Tai Baribo scoring the lone goal of the match to give D.C. United their home opener win.

Written by Denis Gomez

Photo: Karla Canales

Tai Baribo scored the lone goal that gave the Black-and-Red their first win of the season against his former team, as D.C. United defeated the Philadelphia Union 1-0 in front of 18,003 fans. The striker celebrated passionately in front of the home supporters and later explained, “I always celebrate with passion because it’s not easy to score goals and I always thank God. I celebrated with our fans and I love the club.”

Typically, when a player scores against a former club, they choose not to celebrate out of respect. On this night, however, the “Law of the Former Club” — the unwritten rule that a former player often finds the net against his old team — was in full effect, and Baribo made no apologies for embracing the moment.

Baribo’s 23rd-minute finish, assisted by Peglow after a midfield steal, proved decisive. Earlier, D.C. had a goal disallowed in the ninth minute when Baribo found the net but was ruled offside. Philadelphia threatened in the 20th minute through Iloski, and Johnson was called into action a minute later, making a sharp save to preserve the clean sheet in his Black-and-Red debut.

The first half belonged largely to D.C. United. They moved the ball efficiently, mixing diagonal switches and long balls to break Philadelphia’s high press. The tactical flexibility was intentional.

“We have to vary, otherwise we are predictable. We want to be unpredictable. We played diagonal balls and long balls to open the game.”; Weiler explained in the post-match presser.

The approach unsettled the Union’s defensive structure and created space in midfield, allowing Peglow to capitalize on a turnover that led to the match’s only goal.

The Union’s uphill climb became steeper in the 58th minute when striker Alladoh was shown a red card in his MLS debut for directing an obscene gesture and language, per the pool report and postgame comments. Playing a man down, Philadelphia pushed for an equalizer, but D.C.’s defensive organization held firm.

“Against a strong opponent like Philadelphia, you have to defend well — and we did. We didn’t give them a lot of chances”, Weiler emphasized.

D.C.'s first season win highlighted a strong night for several debutants, as Johnson, Kurokawa, Louis Munteanu (70’), Hefti, Baribo, and Markovic (90’), and Nealis (90+3') all made their Black-and-Red debuts. The result snapped a poor recent stretch against Philadelphia, marking D.C.’s first win over the Union in nearly five years, dating back to a 3-1 victory on August 28, 2021.

With the win, D.C. United gains early momentum and confidence in a rebuild season where making the Play-offs is a must, while Philadelphia will look to regroup in their midweek play against Trinis Defense Force in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Philadelphia has the 5-0 advantage and will look to seal the qualification for the quarter-finals at home on Thursday, February 26th.

Three Points

Law of the Ex strikes: Baribo punished his former club and celebrated it, delivering D.C.’s breakthrough moment.
Johnson’s debut shutout: The goalkeeper made a key early save and commanded his box confidently in his first appearance in Black-and-Red.
Discipline proves costly: Alladoh’s red card shifted the momentum and forced Philadelphia to chase the game with 10 men for over 30 minutes.

Lineups

D.C. United: Johnson; Hefti, Bartlett, Kurokawa; Servania, Peltola, Hopkins (Markovic 90’), Peglow, Pirani (Louis Munteanu 70’); Baribo (Nealis 90+3').Unused subs: Stroud, Antley, Nealis, Bono, Clack, Turner, Kijima

Philadelphia Union: Blake (c); Larsen, Harriel, Makhanya, Sundstrom (Martinez 46’); Bueno (Anello 57’), Jean Jacques, Damiani (Korcienowski 79’), Iloski (Sullivan 70’), Vassilev (Bedoya 79’); Alladoh. Unused subs: Rafanello, Olivas, Rick