Match Report: D.C. United 1- 2 Inter Miami FC

elclasicohonduras
55 minutes ago
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Tai Baribo scored the only goal for the Black-and-Red and his second of the season.

Baltimore, MD - The Black-and-Red entered the contest looking to build momentum in front of a home record crowd of 72,026 fans at M&T Stadium in Baltimore, facing the defending MLS champions Inter Miami CF in a tough battle featuring one of the best players to ever play the beautiful game; Lionel Messi.

Inter Miami’s attacking quality proved decisive early, as the visitors delivered a clinical first-half performance that ultimately secured a 2–1 victory. Despite a stronger second-half push from D.C. United, the early deficit proved too much to overcome in a match where individual brilliance and costly turnovers shaped the outcome.

Early Pressure and Miami’s Clinical Edge

From kickoff, the match developed into a physically contested match, with both teams pressing aggressively and looking to capitalize on mistakes. Inter Miami created the first dangerous opportunity in the 7th minute, when Rodrigo De Paul forced a save from Sean Johnson.

D.C. United responded in the 15th minute through Jackson Hopkins, who tested Dayne St. Clair with a shot on goal.

Miami's breakthrough came shortly after. In the 17th minute, De Paul capitalized on a turnover after Beterame stole possession from Lucas Bartlett. Combining with Telasco Segovia, the Argentine midfielder unleashed a powerful right-footed shot into the upper-right corner, giving Miami a 1–0 lead.

Just ten minutes later, Lionel Messi doubled the advantage. The Argentine captain found space inside the attacking third and finished with a rainbow past Johnson in the 27th minute, extending the lead to 2–0.

Messi struck again in the 37th minute after intercepting a pass from Brandon Servania, but the shot went a bit wide.

D.C. United Responds After the Break

Head coach René Weiler made adjustments in the second half to spark a comeback.

João Peglow received a yellow card in the 58th minute, shortly before Weiler introduced Nikola Markovic and Louis Munteanu for Servania and Gabriel Pirani in the 60th minute.

Rene On substitutes impacting the game

“All the players who came in did well. I felt their approach and their impact on the team. That is the job of substitutes — to help the team when they come in.”

In the 64th minute, Munteanu nearly produced a spectacular moment, attempting an acrobatic bicycle kick that narrowly missed the target.

D.C. United’s persistence paid off in the 75th minute. Tai Baribo picked up a rebound after a Hopkins shot, who finished confidently to cut the deficit to 1 goal.

Inter Miami managed the closing stages with discipline. St. Clair received a yellow card in the 87th minute, while De Paul nearly added a third goal for the visitors, though his late attempt sailed over the crossbar.

Rene on the difference between the first and second half for the Black-and-Red

“It was a very good reaction in the second half. At the end of the first half we gave them too much space to play counterattacks, but I told the team not to lose their heads. We had to play more properly and search for the first goal.”

Three Points

The Argentines stood out for Miami: Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul added a goal in a dominant first-half display that ultimately decided the match.
Record Crowd: A historic 72,026 fans attended the match, one of the largest crowds to watch D.C. United at home field. For this occassion D.C. traveled to M&T Bank stadium instead of Audi Field.
Late Push: Tai Baribo’s goal and Rene's subs gave D.C. an opportunity to get a result but it was not enough.

Starting XI

D.C. United

Johnson; Bartlett (C), Rowles, Hefti, Kurokawa; Peltola (Murrell 90+1’), Servania (Markovic 60’); Peglow, Pirani (Munteanu 60’), Hopkins (Clark 84’); Baribo

Inter Miami CF

St. Clair; Mura, Dos Santos, Allen, Falcon; De Paul, Bright; Segovia (Lujan 88’), Messi (C), Silvetti (Allende 70’); Berterame

Scoring Summary

Inter Miami CF

De Paul 17’ (Silvetti)
Messi 27 (Segovia)

D.C. United

Baribo 75’ (Hopkins)

Misconduct Summary

D.C. United

Peglow (58’)

Inter Miami CF

St. Clair (87’)

Despite showing resilience after halftime, D.C. United struggled to recover from Inter Miami’s early attacking burst. The Black-and-Red improved in the second half and created more attacking opportunities, but was not enough and are now 1-2-0 in the season.