D.C. United earned a 2-1 victory over Chicago Fire FC on Saturday night at Soldier Field, moving to 2-2-0 on the 2026 MLS season. Trailing 1-0 after Hugo Cuypers converted a penalty in the 81st minute, the Black-and-Red responded with midfielder Matti Peltola's first career MLS goal in the 84th minute and a Tai Baribo penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time to complete the comeback and claim three points away from home.
Head Coach René Weiler kept the same starting XI from last week's 2-1 defeat to Inter Miami CF at M&T Bank Stadium. D.C. United lined up in a 4-4-2 with Tai Baribo and Gabriel Pirani leading the line and João Peglow and Jackson Hopkins on the flanks. Matti Peltola and Brandon Servania anchored the midfield in front of a back four of Silvan Hefti, Lucas Bartlett, Kye Rowles, and Keisuke Kurokawa. The defense only allowed two shots on target and out tackled Chicago 27-17.
D.C. United created early chances in the opening half, with Baribo getting off three attempts before the break, including a left-footed effort from outside the box in the 3rd minute and a blocked shot from the center of the box in the 19th. Chicago held the greater share of possession and pressed forward throughout the first half, but neither side could find the back of the net. Baribo’s goal in the 43rd minute was flagged for offside, and the call was upheld after a VAR review. The teams went into the break level at 0-0, out shooting Chicago 9-7.
Chicago created several chances in the second half, with midfielder Zinckernagel and defender Barroso both testing the D.C. United defense. Weiler made his first change in the 78th minute, incorporating Caden Clark for Gabriel Pirani.
Chicago took the lead in the 81st minute after a Jackson Hopkins handball in the penalty area, confirmed by VAR, gave the Fire a penalty. Hugo Cuypers converted with a right-footed shot to the center of the goal.
D.C. United pulled level three minutes later when Matti Peltola scored his first career MLS goal with a right-footed shot from the center of the box in the 84th minute. Peltola recorded seven recoveries and three interceptions in 90 minutes played.
A Jonathan Dean handball in the penalty area, reviewed and confirmed by VAR in the 89th minute, gave D.C. United a penalty. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Baribo converted the penalty with a right-footed shot to the top left corner past Chicago goalkeeper Chris Brady, his third goal of the 2026 season. D.C. United held on through 12 minutes of added time as Chicago pushed for an equalizer, with goalkeeper Sean Johnson recording a key save late to preserve the result.
The Black-and-Red backline held firm with Captain Lucas Bartlett winning 100% of his ground duels across 90 minutes. Kye Rowles won nine total duels and recorded four tackles, and Keisuke Kurokawa started his fourth consecutive match for D.C. United, recording six interceptions and six recoveries.
D.C. United are now 2-2-0 with six points on the 2026 MLS season and hold a 28-24-22 record against Chicago Fire FC all-time in regular season matchups. The Black-and-Red sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and will next travel to take on Atlanta United FC on Saturday, March 21. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
D.C. United Lineup: Sean Johnson, Lucas Bartlett, Silvan Hefti, Kye Rowles, Keisuke Kurokawa, Matti Peltola, Brandon Servania (Sean Nealis 90'+5'), Jackson Hopkins, João Peglow (Jacob Murrell 86'), Tai Baribo, Gabriel Pirani (Caden Clark 78')
Unused Substitutes: Alex Bono, Jordan Farr, Jared Stroud, Hosei Kijima, Gavin Turner, Conner Antley
Head Coach: René Weiler
Chicago Fire FC Lineup: Chris Brady, Leonardo Barroso (Dylan Borso 90'+5'), Jack Elliott (Joel Waterman 65'), Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Jonathan Dean (Viktor Radojevic 90'+5'), Anton Saletros, Philip Zinckernagel, Dje D'Avilla (Mauricio Pineda 65'), Hugo Cuypers, Jonathan Bamba, Robin Lod (Maren Haile-Selassie 65')
Unused Substitutes: Josh Cohen, Puso Dithejane, Jason Shokalook, Sergio Oregel Jr.
Head Coach: Gregg Berhalter
