DC United was back at Audi Field on Saturday night to face Nashville SC in their return to the field after a 2 week break. A 18th minute penalty goal by Sam Surridge was the difference as the Black-and-Red lost 1-0.

The match started out slow, with both teams not really finding many angles to attack. However, a mistake in the 16th minute would ultimately cost DC. Lucas Bartlett clipped Hany Mukhtar from behind in the box, and the referee signaled for a penalty. Sam Surridge converted the penalty to make it 1-0.

“Yeah, obviously it’s on me. That’s a mistake or a penalty I shouldn’t have given up,” Lucas Bartlett said after the match. “That’s on me. And I’d take ownership for that.”

Both teams really couldn’t get much going the rest of the half, and it was 1-0 entering the break.

The second half was more slow going on offense for DC United. However, the hope was that a series of substitutes would get them going. In the 62nd minute, Christian Benteke subbed on, returning to the field after a lengthy absence due to injury. Gabriel Pirani and João Peglow also subbed on at that time, Peglow alo getting back on the field after some time on the sidelines due to injury.

“[It] exudes confidence, you know…he’s our leading goalscorer still at six goals, and he’s played in 50% of the matches this year. So, I mean, I think that says everything,” head coach Troy Lesesne said of Benteke’s return to the field after the match. “And also just his demeanor in the locker, he gives confidence to other guys, and it’s going to be important that he remains healthy for us to be able to do what we need to do.”

The defense kept DC United in the match, and goalkeeper Luis Barraza stepped up on the one main chance that Nashville had. In the 70th minute, Sam Surridge got behind the defense on the breakaway, but Barraza was able to stonewall him on the point blank shot to keep it at 1-0.

Despite the defense keeping them in it, the Black-and-Red just couldn’t generate chances, and the match ended 1-0 to Nashville.

“I mean, Nashville’s a very good side and in very good form. I think this is their 13th match that they’ve remained unbeaten, so they’re playing at a high level, and so they certainly have something to do with us not having very many shots,” Lesesne said after the match. “At the same time, we didn’t allow very many shots ourselves…And, you know, it’s difficult playing in the weather right now, that makes a difference. So I think maybe the energy is lacking from both sides to probably go for it even more, but, you know, they have their moment and we don’t have one tonight.”

“You can’t question the effort, I think it’s there,” Luis Barraza said in postgame comments. “We just have to be cleaner on the ball, more clean going in front of goal, and put ourselves in better situation to close out the games.”

DC United drops to 4W-10L-6D on the season. They’re in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with 18 points, and return to the field next weekend at Audi Field against Atlanta United.