D.C. United earned a 0-0 draw against Atlanta United FC on Saturday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Black-and-Red earned a hard-fought point on the road and recorded their second clean sheet of the 2026 MLS regular season, allowing only four goals in five matches.
Head Coach René Weiler kept the same starting XI from last week's 2-1 victory against Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field. D.C. United lined up in a 4-4-2 with Tai Baribo and Gabriel Pirani leading the line while João Peglow and Jackson Hopkins were on the flanks. Matti Peltola and Brandon Servania anchored the midfield in front of the usual back line of Silvan Hefti, Lucas Bartlett, Kye Rowles, and Keisuke Kurokawa. The defense only allowed two shots on target and had a clear margin of aeriel duels won, winning the battle 17-11.
D.C. United withstood early pressure from Atlanta United in the opening half, with the home side generating multiple chances inside the first 20 minutes. Atlanta forward Emmanuel Latte Lath recorded two early attempts, including a blocked effort in the ninth minute and a header over the bar in the 14th. Black-and-Red goalkeeper Sean Johnson was called into action with saves in the 13th and 16th minutes to keep the match level. Midfielder Alexey Miranchuk added a long-range effort in the 18th minute that went out of bounds as Atlanta pushed forward for the opening goal. D.C. United created their best opportunity in the 34th minute mark, when Tai Baribo’s header from the center of the box went over the crossbar following consecutive corners. Atlanta held the greater share of possession and attacking momentum, but both sides went into the break level at 0-0.
Atlanta United continued to press in the second half, with forwards Miguel Almirón and Emmanuel Latte Lath each missing chances from inside the box in the 50th and 64th minutes. The Black-and-Red responded with an opportunity in the 61st minute, as Jackson Hopkins’ right-footed shot from the right side of the box was saved by Atlanta goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos. Head Coach René Weiler made attacking changes in the second half, introducing Caden Clark in the 67th minute and later adding Hosei Kijima and Gavin Turner in the 78th minute.
D.C. United created their best chances of the match late, coming inches away from breaking the deadlock. In the 83rd minute, Caden Clark struck the right post from outside the box, and four minutes later Brandon Servania hit the crossbar from distance in the 87th minute. Atlanta pushed for a late winner, with defender Tomás Jacob missing a close-range effort in the 80th minute, but both defenses held firm through the final minutes.
The Black-and-Red defense delivered a disciplined performance, with Sean Johnson making key saves in the first half to preserve his second clean sheet of the season. Captain Lucas Bartlett won three tackles and three interceptions, while Kye Rowles recorded seven recoveries over 90 minutes played. D.C. United held strong through stoppage, earning a hard-fought point on the road.
D.C. United are now 2-2-1 with seven points on the 2026 MLS season and hold a 4-4-4 record against Atlanta United all-time in regular season matchups on the road. The Black-and-Red sit in 6th place in the Eastern Conference and will take on FC Dallas back home at Audi field on April 4th. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Atlanta United FC Lineup: Lucas Hoyos, Elias Baez (Pedro Amador 88'), Enea Mihaj, Stian Gregersen, Tomas Jacob, Tristan Muyumba, Cooper Sanchez (Steven Alzate 65'), Matias Galarza (Saba Lobjanidze 74'), Latte Lath, Miguel Almiron, Alexey Miranchuk (Fabrice Picault 88')
Unused Substitutes: Ronald Hernandez, Luke Brennan, Fafa Picault, Cayman Togashi, Jayden Hibbert, Matthew Edwards
Head Coach: Tata Martino
D.C. United Lineup: Sean Johnson, Lucas Bartlett, Silvan Hefti, Kye Rowles, Keisuke Kurokawa, Matti Peltola, João Peglow (Caden Clark, 67'), Brandon Servania (Sean Nealis 89'), Jackson Hopkins (Gavin Turner 78'), Tai Baribo, Gabriel Pirani (Hosei Kijima 78')
Unused Substitutes: Alex Bono, Jared Stroud, Conner Antley, Jacob Murrell, Nikola Markovic
Head Coach: René Weiler
