Philadelphia Union fell to D.C. United, 1-0, in its 2026 MLS Opener on Saturday night.
Playing its second road match in four nights, the game's lone goal of the evening came from a familiar face. After seeing a goal taken off the board for offside, former Union forward Tai Baribo delivered the goal in the 23rd minute finishing off a cross from João Peglow. Trailing by just a goal, the Union's comeback was dealt a difficult blow when forward Ezekiel Alladoh was sent off in the 59th minute. Despite the disadvantage the Boys in Blue nearly bagged an equalizer off their set pieces with homegrown Cavan Sullivan delivered a cross that connected on a Nathan Harriel header that nearly found the back of the net.
Philadephia Union returns to the City of Brotherly Love for its first home match of 2026 when they face off against Defence Force F.C. in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup Round One matchup. Kick off from Subaru Park is set for 7PM ET on Thursday, February 28th, with tickets for the match available for purchase by clicking here!
How The Match Unfolded
Head Coach Bradley Carnell's first lineup of the year featured a trio of MLS debutants in defenders Japhet Sery Larsen and Finn Sundstrom, and striker Ezekiel Alladoh. Sundstrom was added to the starting 11 moments before kickoff, replacing Frankie Westfield at left back after pregame warmups.
Larsen started in the backline paired with Olwethu Makhanya, while Nathan Harriel was at his natural right back slot opposite Sundstrom.
Jovan Lukic was missing from the matchday roster due to a rib injury, and without him Jesus Bueno got the start in the midfield with Danley Jean Jacques, Indiana Vassilev, and Milan Iloski.
Alladoh was paired with Bruno Damiani up top, while on the other end of the field, three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake started between the posts.
Homegrown keeper Andrew Rick was on the bench, sitting alongside Geiner Martinez, Ale Bedoya, Cavan Sullivan, Jeremy Rafanello, Agustin Anello, Stas Korzeniowski.
6', Big Mak block | Gabriel Pirani found the first shot of the night from the center of the box, but is attempt was blocked by Makhanya.
21', Iloski chances | Iloski found two chances -- the first missed left, while the next was stopped by D.C. keeper Sean Johnson.
23', D.C. Goal | Tai Baribo opened scoring at Audi Field in the 23rd minute, scoring in his first match in red and black. Pirani muscled agains Sundstrom to allow João Peglow to claim possesion and create a 2v1 against Makhanya with Baribo in front of the net. The former Union striker capitalized on the opportunity, running onto a pass from Peglow to place a shot to the opposite corner as Blake advanced to make it 1-0 for the home side.
38' Iloski free kick | Iloski nearly capitalized on a free kick opportunity 30 yards out, striking the ball around D.C.'s wall toward the bottom left corner, but Johnson made the stop.
Halftime | Down a goal at halftime, Carnell made his first change of the match, swapping out Finn Sundstrom for another debutant in 23-year-old centerback Geiner Martinez.
54', Iloski chance | Alladoh found Iloski for a powerful strike toward the top of the goal from the left side of the box, but Johnson tipped it over the net keeping his team ahead.
57', A fifth debut | Carnell made his second change of the night in the 57th minute, sending on Agustin Anello for Jesus Bueno.
59', Red card | Just before the hour mark the Union found themselves down to 10 men as Alladoh was shown a red in his first MLS outing with the club.
65', Union chances | A shot from Iloski spurred a string of chances for Anello, but his attempts to equalize were blocked.
70', Sullivan sub | 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan subbed on for the final 20, replacing Iloski.
72', Nearly knotted up | Sullivan almost made an instant impact on the match, serving in a corner kick to the far post that was headed just wide by fellow homegrown Nathan Harriel.
77', Union keep pushing | The Boys in Blue kept battling despite being down a man in the second half. Bruno Damiani saw a left-footed effort blocked in the box while Agustin Anello found space outside the box but saw his effort saved.
79', Final Union changes | With just over 10 minutes left in the match, Carnell sent in Stas Korzeniowski and veteran Alejandro Bedoya.
