Story of the Match
D.C. United (3-6-4, 13 pts) hits the road this weekend to take on Nashville SC at Geodis Park, with kickoff set for 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 17.
The Black-and-Red are coming off a hard-fought 0-0 draw against New York City FC on Wednesday night at Audi Field. Despite both sides failing to find the back of the net, D.C. earned their second clean sheet of the season behind a standout performance from goalkeeper Luis Barraza and a disciplined defensive effort.
With a congested May schedule, head coach Troy Lesesne made three changes to the starting XI following the 2-0 loss to Toronto FC. Garrison Tubbs, Randall Leal, and Matti Peltola stepped into the lineup, replacing Conner Antley, Jared Stroud, and Brandon Servania.
NYCFC controlled much of the first half, forcing Barraza into several key saves to keep the score level. D.C. suffered an early setback when captain Christian Benteke exited in the 20th minute due to injury, with Jacob Murrell coming on in his place. The second half continued in similar fashion, with Barraza making a crucial point-blank save in the 47th minute. Substitute Rida Zouhir nearly broke the deadlock in the 70th minute with a powerful long-range effort, but NYC goalkeeper Matt Freese was equal to it. D.C.'s best opportunity came in the 79th minute, when Zouhir’s corner was headed across goal by Lucas Bartlett to David Schnegg, whose shot was denied once again by Freese.
A bright spot for D.C. was the return of Homegrown midfielder Jackson Hopkins, who made his 2025 debut as an 81st-minute substitute after recovering from injury.
This weekend, D.C. faces a red-hot Nashville SC squad (7-4-2), currently fourth in the Eastern Conference. Nashville is coming off a 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls, with 2022 MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar scoring the game-winner in the 63rd minute. Mukhtar has been in excellent form, tallying six goals and four assists in 13 appearances this season. Forward Sam Surridge has also been a key contributor with six goals and three assists.
Nashville boasts a formidable home record (6-1-1) at Geodis Park, including three clean sheets. D.C. United will need a sharp, cohesive performance to break down one of the league’s toughest home defenses.
By the Numbers | D.C. United vs. New York City FC | May 14, 2025
- Goalkeeper Luis Barraza recorded six saves from 15 total shots and his first clean sheet of the season tonight. Barraza has recorded 14 saves over the past two matches.
- Midfielder Randall Leal made his first MLS start for the Black-and-Red tonight. Leal had four passes into the final third and two recoveries in 59 minutes played.
- Defender Garrison Tubbs made his second start this season for D.C. United. Tubbs recorded four interceptions and won six total duels in 90 minutes played.
- Midfielder Jackson Hopkins made his first MLS appearance for D.C. United since July 17, 2024, against Minnesota United FC, coming on as an 81st minute substitute. Hopkins had a 100% passing accuracy in nine minutes played.
Last Match Against Nashville SC | October 2, 2024 @ Geodis Park
The last meeting between D.C. United and Nashville SC was a thrilling 4-3 victory for the Black-and-Red at Geodis Park in October 2024. With playoff hopes on the line, D.C. traveled to Nashville needing a result. The hosts struck first in the 6th minute through Alex Muyl, but Lucas Bartlett equalized with a powerful header past Joe Willis. Nashville responded with two goals—one from Hany Mukhtar just before halftime and a second from Muyl in the 63rd minute—putting the home side up 3-1.
The match turned when Gabriel Pirani came on in the 67th minute. Christian Benteke pulled one back in the 76th, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Pirani delivered in spectacular fashion, scoring twice in stoppage time—once in the 94th minute and again in the 97th—to complete a stunning comeback and secure all three points for D.C. United, keeping their playoff push alive.
How to Watch
D.C. United fans can catch all the action of their favorite team by subscribing to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. With this subscription, you can watch every D.C. United game live, whether it’s home or away, along with exclusive pre- and post-match coverage. Simply open the Apple TV app, navigate to MLS Season Pass, and subscribe to enjoy the entire 2025 season. Whether you're at home or on the go, you'll have access to every match, ensuring you never miss a moment of D.C. United's season. Enjoy seamless streaming on your Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, and more!
Radio broadcasts will be available live on 1190 iHeart Sports DC, 101.1 HD2, and the iHeartRadio App. Legendary broadcaster Dave Johnson, who has called games for D.C. United since the club’s inception in 1996 will return to the booth alongside Bruce Murray, former United States National Team player (1985-1993, 85 caps and 21 goals) and Class of 2011 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee. The pair have partnered on radio calls since 2023 to deliver high-quality and passionate radio calls for fans. Supporters watching D.C. United MLS Regular Season games on MLS Season Pass can opt to listen to Dave Johnson and Bruce Murray calling the game on the MLS Local Radio Broadcast channel.
