Match Report: D.C. United 2 - 2 Nashville S.C.
- elclasicohonduras
- 6 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Washington, D.C. – D.C. United extended its unbeaten run to five matches with a dramatic 2-2 comeback draw against Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC on Saturday night at Audi Field, rallying from a two-goal deficit behind goals from Silvan Hefti and Tai Baribo to earn a point in front of the Black-and-Red.
The two sides had previously met earlier this season, playing to a 2-2 draw. Nashville entered the nation's capital as one of the strongest teams in the Eastern Conference, while D.C. United looked to continue its recent resurgence under head coach René Weiler.
The opening 45 minutes even, with both teams recording two shots on target. However, Nashville proved far more clinical with its opportunities, converting both of its shots on goal to take a 2-0 lead into halftime.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 32nd minute after Servania was called for a handball inside the penalty area. English forward Sam Surridge stepped up to the penalty spot and calmly converted, giving Nashville a 1-0 advantage. Nashville doubled its lead eight minutes later. Following a scramble inside the D.C. United penalty area, Ghanaian forward Ibrahim Mohammed managed to find the back of the net, putting the visitors ahead 2-0.
D.C. United had an opportunity to respond before halftime when Louis Munteanu tested Nashville goalkeeper Patrick Schwake in the 26th minute following a dangerous Peglow breakaway, but Schwake was able to deny the Romanian forward.
D.C. United came out of the break with a much more aggressive approach, pushing forward in search of a way back into the match. That pressure paid off in the 56th minute when Silvan Hefti found the back of the net following another scramble inside the Nashville penalty area. The goal marked Hefti's first goal as a member of D.C. United and gave the Black-and-Red renewed confidence as they continued to push for an equalizer.
D.C. United's pressure eventually paid off again in the 77th minute. Munteanu provided an unconventional scorpion-style assist inside the penalty area, finding Tai Baribo, who finished the opportunity to level the score at 2-2. The goal marked Baribo's 11th of the season and extended his scoring streak to four consecutive matches.
D.C. United continued to create opportunities late in the match and looked for a winner, but Nashville goalkeeper Patrick Schwake produced several important saves to preserve a point for the Eastern Conference leaders. The comeback extends D.C. United's unbeaten streak to five consecutive matches, with the Black-and-Red recording one
victory and four draws during the stretch.
Post-Match Quotes
René Weiler on the comeback:
"It was a great comeback. Maybe last season we might have lost this game 4-0. It was a tough first half after being 2-0 down. That's one of the reasons they are in the top of the table and maybe not by coincidence. I'm really proud of the players for playing a great game."
Silvan Hefti on the team's response:
"They are a very strong team and it was not an easy game obviously. I'm very proud of the way we came out and we stuck to our plan. We wanted to come back in this game and we showed that."
Andy Najar on Nashville leaving with a point:
"We are not happy with the result but we snatched one point as a visitor. I congratulate D.C. because it's not easy to tie a game after being down 2-0."
Andy Najar on returning to D.C. United:
"D.C. United is my home and I will always keep them in my heart. It's mixed feelings to play against the club that saw me grow as a player and it is always great to play here."
Three Points
Hefti Scores His First for the Black-and-Red: Silvan Hefti scored his first goal as a D.C. United player in the 56th minute, sparking the Black-and-Red's comeback after Nashville had taken a 2-0 lead.
Baribo Chasing the Golden Boot: Tai Baribo scored his 11th MLS goal of the season and extended his scoring streak to four consecutive matches. The Israeli forward continues to establish himself as one of the league's most dangerous goal scorers.
Unbeaten Run Continues: D.C. United extended its unbeaten streak to five consecutive matches, recording one victory and four draws during the stretch.
Starting XIs
D.C. United (4-4-2)
Johnson; Bartlett (C), Hefti, Kurokawa, Rowles; Dozzell, Servania (Peltola 64'), Peglow, Baribo, Munteanu (Stroud 90+2'); Hopkins (Ordaz 64')
Unused Substitutes: Nealis, Bono, Avilez, Castillo, Kijima
Head Coach: René Weiler
Nashville SC (4-3-3)
Schwake; Lovitz, Palacios, Najar (Baker-Whiting 84'), Corcoran, Tagseth (Bauer 84'), Qasem (Saad 63'), Surridge, Mukhtar (C) (Acosta 73'), Mohammed (Madrigal 62')
Unused Substitutes: Valdez, Maher, Knight, Brunet
Head Coach: B.J. Callahan
Scoring Summary
D.C. United
56' – Silvan Hefti
77' – Tai Baribo
Nashville SC
32' – Sam Surridge (Penalty)
40' – Ibrahim Mohammed
Booking Summary
D.C. United
45+3' – Baribo (Yellow Card )
72' – Bartlett (Yellow Card)
Nashville SC
45+3' – Mohammed (Yellow Card)
82 – Saad (Yellow Card)
90+11' – Corcoran (Yellow Card)
D.C. United will remain in action on Wednesday , August 5, when the Black-and-Red face Loudoun United in a friendly at 7:30 p.m. ET. The match will provide René Weiler an opportunity to rotate his squad and give valuable minutes to players who have seen limited playing time this season.
Nashville SC, meanwhile, will shift its attention to Leagues Cup play. The Eastern Conference leaders will face Atlético de San Luis on Saturday, August 9, at 8 p.m. ET as they begin their Leagues Cup campaign.
