Playing against his former team, Tai Baribo scored in the 23rd minute to deliver D.C. United a 1-0 MLS opening-game upset of the Philadelphia Union on Saturday in Washington.
D.C. prevailed in a matchup of the teams with the best and worst records last season in MLS. Philadelphia captured the Supporters Shield and reached the MLS Eastern Conference semifinals last year. D.C. finished last season with the league’s fewest points.
In his D.C. debut, MLS veteran Sean Johnson made three saves as the Black-and-Red ended their 14-match winless streak against the Union, which included a 6-0 Philadelphia romp in Washington when the teams last met on Sept. 27 of last year.
It was a satisfying victory for Baribo, who was the top scorer last year for the Union with 16 goals.
It also was a satisfying win for D.C. United coach Rene Weiler, who took over the team when it was in disarray last summer. D.C. finished last season with one win in its last 17 MLS matches (1-11-5).
D.C.’s goal came on a fast break after Jackson Hopkins stopped a ball with his chest in the defensive end and sent an outlet to Gabriel Pirani at midfield.
Pirani fired forward on the left wing to Joao Peglo who slipped a well-timed pass to the middle of the box to Baribo. His right-footed shot went into the lower right corner past Union keeper Andre Blake.
It was the lone shot on goal in the game for D.C.
Baribo had a chance to score again in the 45th minute off a set piece and a deft feed from Hopkins but his right-footed shot from point-blank range in the middle of the box slammed off the right post.
Philadelphia struggled to generate quality opportunities as it had possession for 47.9% of the game. The Union outshot D.C. United 13-7 but put only three of their attempts on frame, with each of the saves for Johnson coming in routine fashion.
The Union appeared a step slow coming off a 5-0 CONCACAF Champions Cup victory Wednesday night in Trinidad & Tobago over Defence Force FC.
In his MLS debut, Ezekiel Alladoh was sent off in the 59th minute after sustaining a red card on a tussle and verbal exchange with D.C. defender Lucas Bartlett.
Milan Iloski had two quality chances in the second half for the Union, but shot just over the crossbar in the 54th minute and was wide left with another open attempt in the 64th minute.
–Field Level Media
