DC United saw a valiant fight come up short as a late goal cost them in a 1-0 loss to New York City FC in the season finale at Audi Field on Saturday. Talles Magno’s 87th minute goal off a defensive blunder was the difference in the match.

While both teams entered the match knowing that they were out of playoff contention, the Black-and-Red had a makeshift lineup due to many players on the roster being left off the matchday roster with injuries. Jordan Farr got the start at goalkeeper, while Oscar Avilez made another start at right midfielder. Head coach René Weiler had a short bench, with only six players being available as substitutes. With captain Lucas Bartlett out, Andre Dozzell wore the captain’s armband for the first time at DC United.

DC United looked to press forward early to try and get the opener. In the eighth minute, João Peglow got the first true chance on goal, when he sent a left footed shot on frame. However, it was right at NYCFC keeper Matt Freese, who collected it easily. On the other end, after a nifty heel flick pass in the air, Keaton Park’s flick shot trickled just wide of the net.

Jordan Farr had a few terrific saves on the night. His finest moment came in the 21st minute when, after popping 2 balloons that had flown onto the field during a windy evening (getting the biggest cheers of the afternoon to that point), he saved a Luighi shot and then had another miraculous point blank save on the ensuing corner on Talles Magno’s snap header. Farr had yet another great save five minutes later on a Talles Magno’s shot.

There wasn’t much action in the first half as the teams went into the halftime break scoreless. The start of the second half had the Black-and-Red with a good chance off a corner kick two minutes in. Keisuke Kurokawa served a pass to Kimito Nono at the top of the box. Nono’s shot went just over the bar.

There were a couple of other chances by DC United, but nothing was popping through. However, they had the momentum and it felt like they could break through for a late goal. However in the 87th minute, a close moment on one end turned into disaster on the other. After DC United almost scored on one end, NYCFC went the other way. Agustín Ojeda passed the ball to Bénie Traoré, who sent the ball forward to Talles Magno. Matti Peltola and Silvan Hefti tried to stop the ball and ended up tripping over each other, freeing Talles Magno to go from midfield towards goal. He was able to sidestep Sean Nealis and put a low shot past Jordan Farr to give the Pigeons the 1-0 lead.

The Black-and-Red had one more opportunity in the first minute of second half stoppage time when Kimito Nono had a shot on goal from a difficult position on the endline. Unfortunately, NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese was able to make the save, and soon the match ended with DC United getting hte loss in their final match.

“It’s tough to concede that decisive goal shortly before the end, the team deserved more tonight, but it is how it is,” head coach René Weiler said after the match. “And yeah, it’s maybe a little bit the picture of the season, often very close…I think overall, we played 2/3s of the season very good. And then with some injuries and absentees, it was much more difficult.”

“They played a really good game tonight and unfortunately, if not a good result, how the last few games [went].”

Weiler has made no secrets all season that he wanted the culture to change. Asked to sum up the season and whether he saw the culture improve, he directly said that he wasn’t happy with the progress.

“No, I saw [the change] not from at the start of the season to now, [but] from the last season,” he remarked. “When I came at the end of last season, to the season we played, played now with this loss game today. Yeah, I think there are 3 steps. First, cleanup, then to become more stable, and we were much more stable, except now the last few games…And now the next step is to bring in starters, to bring in more quality, and not players for the bench. We need to start to strengthen the team, and that is the third step in my plan.”

That plan meets an offseason where DC United once again has to watch the playoffs from home. However, while the players were dejected about the loss, Jordan Farr said he wanted to be a part of the solution to getting the club back to the playoffs next season.

“I’m ambitious. I want to extend [my contract], I want to have a bigger role here. I’m not afraid to say that,” Farr said confidently. “I want to earn it. I want to show people I can play. And so to me, I’d absolutely love to be here. I know they’re talking about a lot of things over the next week and we’re waiting for answers and I’m ready to help the organization way that I can. Obviously, I want to have the bigger role. But, it all depends on player personnel and what the what the [owners] at the top want to do.”

Change will need to come quickly as they hope to show the fanbase that they are making the necessary moves to become a contender again.

DC United finishes the 2026 season in 14th place in the Eastern Conference with a 7W-15L-12D record (33 points). Their eyes turn to the offseason and the changes they need to make. As the final seconds ticked away inside Audi Field, a supporters section that had gone quiet after NYCFC’s goal had a sign in the middle of the section that simply said “We Deserve Better.” The search for better begins now for the Black-and-Red as their season fades to black.