After the Brother/Sisterhood, Holding Philly Scoreless!!!

Rivals on the field, sisters off the field

Philadelphia 0-0 DC United, April 18, 2026

The Philadelphia Union are the closest team geographically to DC United. It is a great road trip, a mere 3 hours (less, if traffic cooperates) from the DMV. As usual, the Screaming Eagles sent a bus of fans up to the game.

Arlington bus pickup

Adelphi bus pickup

DC and Philly supporters groups have traditionally got along very well. The Union entered the league in 2010, and many of their supporters rooted for DC before they got their own team. As they have in the past, the Sons of Ben supporters group invited us to their tailgate, and we all ate and drank together. If only it was like that in other venues and walks of life...

Eating together with the Sons of Ben

Drinking together with the Sons of Ben

Now, on to the game itself.

DC's lineup:

Johnson in goal

Kurokawa, Nealis, Bartlett, Hefti in defense

Peglow, Markovic, Peltola, Herrera in midfield

Hopkins, Baribo at forward

Subs: Turner for Hopkins (75th), Clark for Peglow (75th)

DC at the moment is a tale of two teams: good defense, poor offense.

Tai Baribo was back from injury but had a frustrating game, waiting vainly for service. DC managed just 6 shot attempts, none on goal. A pass making it from the defense through the midfield was rare.

The defense, on the other hand, was stalwart (unlike Wednesday's Open Cup loss). Despite 62% possession and 17 shots, Philly was unable to break through. Number 1 draft pick Nikola Markovic, making his first start in defensive midfield, was particularly good, making at least 4 sliding blocks or intercepions near the goal. Rowles had a strong game too, and despite the pressure DC rarely lost their shape. The result: a valuable road point in a place where we have often been hammered for multiple goals in the recent past.

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This is probably going to be the DC game plan for the immediate future, at least until after the World Cup break and July transfer window. Defense first, an occasional counterattack, hope for draws and the occasional win, and then hope for help on offense with some new players. Are we going to get our long-promised third DP (hopefully in midfield)? Will we get other support? We are basically playing with one DP at the moment; Munteanu has not panned out so far, even when healthy.

Next up, in a busy part of the season: at New York Red Bulls, Wednesday, April 22, 730pm.