DC United, Atlanta United Play to Scoreless Draw

Neither team could find the back of the net in the Eastern Conference matchup.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 7:35am

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In a defensive battle, host Atlanta United and D.C. United played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday night. Neither team was able to generate many scoring chances, with Atlanta holding a 64.8% to 35.1% advantage in possession but only managing 9 shots. D.C. United goalkeeper Sean Johnson and Atlanta's Lucas Hoyos each recorded clean sheets, with Hoyos making a single save for his first MLS shutout.

Why it matters

The draw leaves both teams in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings, with D.C. United at 2-2-1 (7 points) and Atlanta United at 1-3-1 (4 points). The lack of offense from two teams expected to contend for playoff spots is an early-season concern, though the defensive solidity shown by both squads could pay dividends later in the year.

The details

The best chances of the match came in the second half, with D.C. United's Jackson Hopkins and Caden Clark both coming close to breaking the deadlock. Atlanta's Brandon Servania also hit the crossbar late, but neither team was able to find the back of the net. Atlanta held a significant possession advantage but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against D.C.'s stout defense.

  • The match was played on Saturday, March 22, 2026.
  • D.C. United entered the match with a 2-2-1 record, while Atlanta United was 1-3-1.

The players

Sean Johnson

The D.C. United goalkeeper recorded a clean sheet, stopping both shots he faced.

Lucas Hoyos

The Atlanta United goalkeeper made one save to earn his first MLS shutout.

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What they’re saying

“We'll take the point, but we know we need to be better in the final third to start picking up more wins.”

— Frank de Boer, Atlanta United Head Coach

“Our defense was solid, but we have to find a way to create more chances and put the ball in the net. That's something we'll be focusing on in training this week.”

— Wayne Rooney, D.C. United Head Coach

What’s next

Both teams will look to build on the defensive solidity shown in this match as they continue their MLS seasons. Atlanta United's next match is at home against the New England Revolution on March 29, while D.C. United travels to face the Chicago Fire on April 5.

The takeaway

This scoreless draw highlighted the defensive strengths of both teams, but also exposed their early-season struggles to generate consistent offense. As the season progresses, finding the right balance between defense and attack will be crucial for Atlanta United and D.C. United to climb the Eastern Conference standings and secure playoff berths.