Story of the Match
D.C. United plays on the road for the second time in 2025 against Orlando City SC on Saturday, March 22 at Inter & Co Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. After a goalless draw at home against CF Montréal last Saturday, March 14, the Black-and-Red will be looking to secure their first road win of the season.
The match against CF Montréal saw plenty of action but no goals with Christian Benteke having several scoring attempts, including a disallowed goal in the 26th minute off an assist from Jared Stroud. Benteke also came close with a header in the 35th minute and another shot in the 41st, while Gabriel Pirani's opportunity in the 47th minute was just off target. Goalkeeper Kim Joon-Hong stepped up in the 74th minute when CF Montréal was awarded a free kick just outside the 18-yard box, saving CF Montréal midfielder Bryce Duke’s attempt at goal to keep the score level. While D.C. United couldn't find the back of the net last weekend, the offensive pressure was evident, and CF Montréal did well to quell the Black-and-Red attacking threat.
Defender Kye Rowles and midfielder Matti Peltola will be unavailable for the match this weekend while they compete for their respective national teams. Rowles is currently on international duty with the Australian National Team and will be playing against China on Tuesday, March 25, at 7 a.m. ET. Similarly, Matti Peltola is on international duty with the Finland National Team and will be playing against Malta on March 21, at 3:45 p.m., and again on Monday, March 24, at 1 p.m. against Lithuania. Both the Australian and Finnish national teams are battling for a chance to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Additionally, Aaron Herrera did not join Guatemala’s squad for their upcoming matches and will be available for selection this weekend.
For Orlando City SC, this match presents an opportunity to build on their recent 2-2 draw against New York Red Bulls on March 15. Entering the match with a 1-2-2 (win-loss-tie) record, Orlando will be eager to get another win in front of their home fans at Inter&Co Stadium. Both teams feature dynamic attacking threats, with D.C. United’s Christian Benteke and Orlando’s Martín Ojeda poised to make an impact in the final third. The clash between these two offensive players will be a key matchup to watch. Ojeda, who scored his second goal of the season in the draw last weekend, will be central to Orlando's attack, alongside Designated Player Marco Pašalić, who has netted three goals in 2025. Meanwhile, Orlando’s midfield, strengthened by Eduard Atuesta, will look to control possession and support their forwards. D.C. United’s defense will aim to remain organized and create opportunities of their own, with Benteke supported by midfielders Gabriel Pirani, João Peglow, and Jared Stroud. Both teams will be eager for three points on Saturday to climb up the Eastern Conference standings early in the season.
By the Numbers
- Goalkeeper Kim Joon-Hong recorded his first clean sheet for D.C. United against Montreal. Kim had three saves and five recoveries.
- Midfielder João Peglow created the most chances in the match with three and had an 82% passing accuracy in 83 minutes played.
- Forward Fidel Barajas made his Black-and-Red debut as an 83rd-minute substitute against Montreal on March 15.
Last Match Against Orlando City SC | July 6, 2024 @ Stade Saputo Stadium
In their last meeting against Orlando City SC on July 6, 2024, D.C. United faced a tough challenge on the road at Inter&Co Stadium. Despite a solid effort from forward Christian Benteke, who returned to the lineup after missing two matches, and midfielder Gabriel Pirani, who made his first start in months, the Black-and-Red were unable to find the back of the net. Orlando City capitalized on their chances, securing a 5-0 victory. While D.C. United showed resilience, with defenders like Pedro Santos working hard to limit Orlando’s attacks, it was a difficult match for the Black-and-Red. D.C. United will aim for improvement and seek a better outcome in this season’s away matchup.
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.
Away Day Watch Party at Nanny O'Brien's!
