Comeback Draw Against League Leaders!!

DC United 2-2 Nashville SC, August 1, 2026

A wonderful, exciting night against the team with the best record in the league.

The SEs had their usual tailgate at the Henson Conservation Center, and a group of Nashville supporters joined us. I talked at length to one of them (Jeff), and asked him why Nashville was having such a great year. He said that Andy Najar (former DC United player from long ago and an All-Star game starter earlier in the week) and Christian Espinoza were the keys to Nashville's success this year. Fortunately for DC, Espinoza was out with a back injury, but Nashville still looked quite formidable.

DC's lineup:

Johnson in goal

Kurokawa, Rowles, Bartlett, Hefti in defense

Peglow, Servania, Dozzell, Hopkins in midfield

Munteanu, Baribo at forward

Subs: Ordaz for Hopkins (64th), Peltola for Servania (64th), Stroud for Munteanu (90+1).

It was Salvadoran night at Audi Field; there were dancers at halftime in traditional Salvadoran dress. There were lots of Salvadorans in the crowd.

In the middle of the first half, Nashville's Hany Mukhtar crossed into the box and it hit Servania's arm. A penalty was called and stood up after VAR review, and Sam Surridge converted the penalty in the 32nd minute. 1-0 Nashville.

In the 40th minute, Shakur Mohammed shot from inside the box. Kurakawa blocked the shot, but it bounced straight back to Mohammad, who scored through a crowd. 2-0 Nashville, and that's how the half ended. A little unfortunate for DC; while they were outpossessed, they outshot Nashville 6-3, and had 5 corners to Nashville's 1 (including 4 in rapid succession).

In the 56th minute, DC scored off another corner (they ended up with 8 for the game). The ball ping-ponged around twice and came to Hefti, who volleyed into the upper right part of the goal. The original call was offside, but after a LONG VAR review that was overturned and the goal counted. 2-1, DC was back in the game.

In the 64th minute, Peltola came in for Servania, and Ordaz for Hopkins. Salvadoran fans cheered every Ordaz touch. The formation became more of a 4-3-3, with Ordaz joining Baribo and Munteanu up top. DC immediately looked more dangerous. Baribo had two shots saved, but in the 77th minute, Peltola won a ball near midfield and played it forward. Munteanu went down in the middle of two Nashville defenders, but somehow managed to flick the ball while on the ground to the left side to Baribo, whose deflected shot found the far corner. 2-2! Both sides had further chances, but that's how the game ended.

While Nashville had the possession edge (61% to 39%), DC had more shots (17 to 10), shots on goal (7 to 2) and corners (8 to 3). A great effort against the team with the league's best record. Very exciting game to watch, and a lot of energy in the stadium with all the Salvadorans in attendance.

Although neither played tonight, DC signed two new players in the past week:

Kimito Nono, a 24 year old right back/right midfielder, was signed from Japanese club Kashima Antlers for 3 years.

Kamil Castilo, a 16-year-old midfielder from the DC United Academy, was signed by the big club for 4 years. Welcome to both.

MLS shuts down for the next two weeks for the group stage of the Leagues Cup, which DC is not participating in (having missed last year's playoffs). DC will play a "friendly" against Loudoun United at Audi Field on Wednesday, August 5. The next league game will be Saturday August 15 at 730pm away to Montreal.