DC United vs. Philadelphia Union: Preview, time, and how to watch
We’re back! The 2026 season kicks off this evening at Audi Field when DC United takes on the Philadelphia Union. The Black-and-Red hope that the start of a new season means more success on the field. It will be an uphill climb against the reigning Supporters’ Shield holders.
Lucas Bartlett will serve as the captain for DC United in this opening match, though head coach René Weiler indicated that he does not have a permanent captain. The duties will rotate among a group of players, as he “has several captains” on the roster. That leadership is going to be vital to turn it around from 2025’s Wooden Spoon season.
The Black-and-Red will sport a lineup with several new additions, including Designated Players Louis Munteanu and Tai Baribo. The hope is that the team will be able to score some goals with a two forward front line and a midfield that carries some continuity. For fans, the fresh start also means a chance for the team to heal old wounds and regrow the tree of tradition and excellence while regenerating the belief that this season can be better than the last. It all begins tonight at Audi Field!
DC United vs. Philadelphia Union
Location: Audi Field
Kickoff time: 7:30pm ET
Available streaming: Apple TV
Strange hunch: Think that Hopkins or, depending how this season goes, Markovic will be captains next season- provided Weiler sticks for one more season, and there isn’t another massive blow up.
No idea how this goes tonight, but I’ll be there.
Vamos United!!!!
So I’m just assuming we’re starting the season with our traditional thumping by Philly.
Best case scenario is a gritty 1-0 scoreline that we nip into a 2-0 at the end while Philly pushes. This is not what I’m expecting, but ceiling.
Floor is abysmal, given how our offense hasn’t looked like it has come from behind potential, and we’ve been pretty stodgy in preseason. If Philly gets it going and Weiler wants to go for it rather than minimize traum, could be bad. That said, don’t see us conceding more than 4 if we keep 11 on the field- that would surprise me.
Most likely outcome is a 1-0 loss we take as progress.
You certainly called the score in your best case scenario.
I know its the opener, but I am using this as a small measure of progress. If DCU doesn’t give up a touchdown and possibly bags a goal, that will be a small amount of progress. I do recognize DOOP had significant turnover in the off season.
I just found this from MLS fantasy boss, but here’s a Google Sheet how all players would’ve scored in fantasy last year had Kickbase been used.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wSL2Q8W6HniX_eHmg7yx8NqKWHyTn3lhNFH56kY3-oE/edit?gid=0#gid=0
Here’s a deep dive into how things are scored in the new system:
https://www.kickbase.com/en-us/points-table
Some things stand out from a quick analysis. The top 5 players on DCU in fantasy last year would’ve been.
Overall total
#1 Gabriel Pirani (M) with 2202 total points and an average of 79 pts
#2 Christian Benteke (F) with 2029 total points and an average of 81 pts
#3 Kye Rowles (D) with 1994 pts and an average of 64 pts
#4 Luis Barraza (G) with 1991 pts and an average of 83 pts
#5 David Schnegg (D) with 1981 pts and an average of 62 pts
Average Total:
#1 Luis Barraza (G) with 1991 pts and an average of 83 pts
#2 Gabriel Pirani (M) with 2202 total points and an average of 79 pts
#3 Jordan Farr (G) with 234 pts and an average of 78 pts
#4 Joon-Hong Kim (G) with 571 pts and an average of 71 pts
#5 João Gabriel Martins Peglow (M) with 1622 pts and an average of 58 pts.
According to coach Hefti might play and even start.
Lineup:
Johnson; Hefti, Bartlett, Rowles, Kurokawa; Hopkins, Peltola, Servania, Peglow; Pirani, Baribo
First starting 11 of the year for DC United:
Johnson; Hefti, Rowles, Bartlett (C), Kurokawa; Hopkins, Peltola, Servania, Peglow: Pirani, Baribo
Bench: Antley, Bono, Clark, Kijima, Markovic, Munteanu, Nealis, Stroud, Turner
Philly Starting 11
Blake; Westfield, Sery, Mahhanya, Harriel; Vassilev, Vueno, Jacques, Iloski; Alladoh, Damiani
Bench: Martinez, Sundsrom, Bedoya, Sullivan, Rafanello, Anello, Korzeniowski, Olivas
Last minute change for Philly. Sundstrom in for Westfield.
There’s a slight possibility that Weiler wants Munteanu to be a closer off the bench.
The larger possibility is that he doesn’t last long.
Also, Herrera is probably leaving soon, I bet
May be true, but he was listed as questionable with a leg issue.
Yeah, but I do wonder if that leg issue was brought on by an acute case of “get me out of here.”
Let’s see how Hefti does
He seemed fine last year in C4 with his flock of admirers…..
Just saying…..
Hope I am wrong.
A lot of keep away for the starters in warmups.
Looks like they’ll finally take some shots with 9 minutes to go of it
Curious.
Johnson isn’t taking the shots from United, they’re alternating the other two. Hm.
And a goal called back for a clear offside on Kurokawa
I know its way too early, but I like what I have seen from Kurokawa.
So weird seeing Sean Johnson in a DCU uniform. Its gonna take some getting used to.
Baribo strikes! Great hold up play by Pirani!
I would also add great pass from Hopkins to Pirani to start it.
Anyone else keep confusing Peltola and Hefti?
I am
Not in the stadium.
Hefti looks at best a Peltola shaving.
Baribo almost with a brace but its off the post.
Fascinating setup.
I would have that Kurakawa would have been the one getting forward a ton, and he is flying at times, but Hefti seems to have been given the Hakimi role of marauding fullback. He’s not incredibly dynamic, but the positions he’s finding at times is clearly meant to unsettle the opposition when we’re in possession- a way to keep them guessing even with the 4-4-2 alignment.
Hopkins is doing really, really well. Peglow was having very much a red down arrow down game until that clearly open break was on, and his assist was well timed.
Baribo throws himself around well, and picks up fouls Benteke wouldn’t have for no other reason than Christian’s complete inability to catch a break. He’s not gonna win the aerial balls every time, but the opposing CBs aren’t exactly getting the bounce they wanted, either. And that’s exactly the finish we want.
The tenacity in the midfield is quite good. This is why you never overspend on CMs- just find the right types, and get the tackles in.
We’re surely going to see Munteanu as a sub, so let’s see how this goes.
You can hear legit singing on the broadcast. I’m not sure the last time I could hear it like this.
Barra Brava was back. Not sure how that happened, as I thought they banned and disbanded. Not sure what happened to La Banda — whether they’ve gone away, or maybe deferred to Barra, or just felt overwhelmed.
Woh that red seemed to come out of nowhere.
Its for dissent apparently. Wonder what the heck he said to get a straight red…
And now Philly’s down a man!
For me this is the first real test if this is a new DCU or not. Recently, they haven’t put the pedal down in situations like this.
Baribo coming off for hopefully just a bad cramp.
We beat Philly?….we beat Philly!
Random note but Brendan Hines-Ike scored for Austin. I still remember his rocket that somehow wasn’t even up for goal of the week.
I remember that too
Peltola was MOTM
Munteanu… he’s someone’s cousin. No DP quality whatsoever. Drew Skundrich was better.
That’s gonna hurt over time.
Still, good win.
There’s some quality, but to be honest, he looked a little slow, and seemed to be winded. I think not in shape.
The winless streak against Philly ends at 9!
On the other side of the world, up at 6am for jet lag anyway, turned the game on, sort of dozed and sort of watched, but apparently didn’t dream that we beat Philly?
I can’t say I watched enough to say if there’s any hope for a halfway decent season, but I’ll always take a win against the Union!
Something going on with the comments section on PJ’s wrap piece. I can’t see any of the 9 other comments that the site says have been posted.