D.C. United are set to play their seventh match of the 2021 MLS Regular Season against the Philadelphia Union on Sunday, May 23 at Audi Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. United will look to build on their 2-1-0 home record this season as they take on a talented Philadelphia Union side on Sunday night.
In their last match, D.C. United lost 1-0 in a tightly contested match against Orlando City SC on Sunday, May 16. United outshot Orlando City 13-6 and maintained 55% of the possession in the match but were unable to recover from the early goal they conceded. The lone goal in the match was scored in the 7th minute by Mauricio Pereyra after he found himself in a close range position in the box and finished with a low drive into the bottom corner. The Black-and-Red created a couple of close chances in the first half, including Edison Flores getting his shot narrowly tipped away by the Orlando goalkeeper in the 23rd minute. Paul Arriola, in his first start for United since the 2019 season, had his shot from close range blocked away by an Orlando defender shortly after. United went into halftime down 1-0.
D.C. United applied a lot of pressure in search of the equalizer in the second half. Homegrown Kevin Paredes came on in the second half to make his first appearance since November 2020. He provided a much-needed spark with his pace and dribbling ability down the left wing and nearly helped United tie the match on multiple occasions. Orlando City were pinned in their own box for a majority of the half, but United were unable to capitalize and get the match-tying goal. Orlando City hung on to win 1-0.
The Black-and-Red have an all-time record of 8-14-5 against the Philadelphia Union but have a 5-4-5 record in home matches against their rivals. The last time the two sides met was on October 14, 2020 when they played to an exciting 2-2 draw at Audi Field. Donovan Pines rose up for a header to score the first goal for United in the 71st minute and Yamil Asad converted a penalty four minutes later to score United’s second. D.C. United will look to continue their home success against the Union on Sunday.
D.C. United against the Philadelphia Union on Sunday night at 7 p.m. EST at Audi Field will be broadcast on NBC Sports Washington and TeleXitos and can be streamed on www.dcunited.com.
