Match Preview – DC United vs. the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, February 21

DC United kicks off the 2026 MLS season this Saturday with a rivalry matchup in opposition to the Philadelphia Union at Audi Field. Kickoff is ready for 7:30 pm ET. It’s a brand new-look Black-and-Red aspect and there is no higher solution to open the yr than below the lights at house. Get your tickets at https://www.dcunited.com/tickets/.

Head Coach René Weiler enters his first full season in cost after being appointed in July 2025. Weiler and Managing Director of Soccer Operations Dr. Erkut Sogut have been busy this offseason, overhauling the roster with the aim of bringing playoff soccer again to Audi Field for the first time since 2019.

DC United made a splash up prime by buying ahead Tai Baribo from Saturday’s opponents, the Philadelphia Union, in a deal value as much as $4.6 million, signing the Israeli worldwide and former MLS All-Star as a (*21*) Player. Romanian worldwide Louis Munteanu joins on a membership-document switch from CFR Cluj after profitable the Romanian SuperLiga Golden Boot with 23 targets final marketing campaign. On the defensive finish, the membership introduced in middle again Sean Nealis from the New York Red Bulls, Swiss defender Silvan Hefti from Hamburger SV, and Japanese left again Keisuke Kurokawa from Gamba Osaka to shore up a backline that conceded 66 targets in 2025. In addition to strengthening the backline, DC United introduced in MLS veteran and US International goalkeeper Sean Johnson who signed as a free agent. Johnson has 431 MLS begins and 109 clear sheets in 16 seasons.

Black-and-Red followers also can look ahead to the return of acquainted faces. Gabriel Pirani recorded eight targets and 4 assists throughout all competitions final season and must be a key a part of the assault once more in 2026. Homegrown midfielder Jackson Hopkins set a profession-excessive with three targets in 2025 and has grown into an everyday in the beginning XI. Veterans Aaron Herrera, Lucas Bartlett, and Brandon Servania all return.

DC United traveled to Los Angeles and Palm Springs for preseason camp and went undefeated throughout three matches at the Coachella Valley Invitational: a 0-0 draw with the Portland Timbers and a 0-0 draw with Minnesota United FC. The Black-and-Red will look to take this defensive momentum into the house opener in opposition to Philadelphia.

The Union received the 2025 Supporters’ Shield below Bradley Carnell however enters 2026 wanting like a unique staff. Their main scorer from final yr, Baribo, now fits up for DC United. MLS Best XI defenders Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner have each departed, and ahead Mikael Uhre’s contract expired. Philadelphia is working on new gamers whereas additionally managing a CONCACAF Champions Cup schedule, the place they performed their opening spherical match in Trinidad and Tobago earlier this week earlier than making the journey to DC

With Baribo set to face his former membership, Munteanu making his aggressive debut, and an Audi Field crowd prepared for a recent begin, Saturday night time has all the makings of a particular house opener for the Black-and-Red.

• DC United will search for their tenth all-time common season win in opposition to the Philadelphia Union.

• Before becoming a member of the Black-and-Red, Tai Baribo was Philadelphia’s attacking catalyst, main the Philadelphia Union with 19 targets throughout all competitions.

• Louis Munteanu scored 23 targets to win the Romanian SuperLiga Golden Boot earlier than becoming a member of DC United in a membership-document deal.

• Philadelphia misplaced their main scorer (Baribo), all-time assists chief (Kai Wagner), and two-time MLS Best XI middle again Jakob Glesnes this offseason.

• Goalkeeper Andre Blake has registered 9 clear sheets in 21 video games performed for Philadelphia Union final season.

• DC United added 4 defenders this winter: Sean Nealis, Silvan Hefti, Keisuke Kurokawa, and Nikola Marković.

In their final assembly on September 27, 2025, DC United fell 6-0 to Philadelphia Union at Audi Field. Gabriel Pirani was a vibrant spot for the Black-and-Red, making a sport-excessive 5 possibilities, in addition to Jared Stroud getting shut, hanging the uprights twice in the first half. With a totally revamped roster and new system in place, DC United look to rewrite the script in opposition to their rivals.

DC United followers can catch all the motion of their favourite staff on Apple TV. With this, you may watch each DC United match dwell, whether or not it is house or away, together with unique pre- and submit-match protection. Simply open the Apple TV app, navigate to MLS Season Pass, and revel in the whole 2026 season. Whether you are at house or on the go, you will have entry to each match, guaranteeing you by no means miss a second of DC United’s season. Enjoy seamless streaming on your Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, and extra!

Radio broadcasts shall be out there dwell on 1190 iHeart Sports DC, 101.1 HD2, and the iHeartRadio App. Legendary broadcaster Dave Johnson, who has known as matches for DC United since the membership’s inception in 1996, will return to the sales space alongside Bruce Murray, former United States National Team participant (1985-1993, 85 caps and 21 targets) and Class of 2011 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee. The pair have partnered on radio calls since 2023 to ship excessive-high quality and passionate radio requires followers. Supporters watching DC United MLS Regular Season matches on MLS Season Pass can decide to take heed to Dave Johnson and Bruce Murray calling the match on the MLS Local Radio Broadcast channel.