Sean Johnson sharp as D.C. United draw with Union

Rookie defender Nikola Markovic blocks three shots in D.C.'s scoreless draw at Philadelphia

Apr. 19, 2026 at 7:25am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in a cubist style, breaking down a soccer match between two teams into sharp, overlapping geometric planes of vibrant colors representing the players, field, and action.A cubist interpretation of the scoreless draw between D.C. United and the Philadelphia Union, with the teams' colors and the action on the field fractured into an abstract geometric composition.Philadelphia Today

Sean Johnson made four saves to keep his third clean sheet as D.C. United held on for a 0-0 draw at the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night. Rookie defender Nikola Markovic was a consistent disruptor of Union attacks, blocking three shots in his first start for D.C. The Black-and-Red snapped a two-match league losing run but remain winless in their last four in MLS and last five overall.

Why it matters

The draw keeps D.C. United above the last-place finishers in MLS in 2025, the Philadelphia Union, in the 2026 Eastern Conference standings. The Union won the 2025 Supporters' Shield but have struggled to start the new season.

The details

D.C. United (2-4-2, 8 points) outshot the Union 17-6 overall, but Andre Blake kept his first clean sheet without having to make a save. Philadelphia led D.C. 13-1 in corner kicks and failed to score for a second consecutive match against D.C. following a 1-0 away loss to open the season. Former Union striker Tai Baribo started for D.C. in his first return to his former club after being questionable with a thigh injury.

  • The match was played on Saturday night.

The players

Sean Johnson

The D.C. United goalkeeper made four saves to keep his third clean sheet of the season.

Nikola Markovic

The rookie D.C. United defender blocked three shots and was a consistent disruptor of Union attacks in his first start.

Andre Blake

The Philadelphia Union goalkeeper kept his first clean sheet of the season without having to make a save.

Tai Baribo

The former Philadelphia Union striker started for D.C. United in his first return to his former club after being questionable with a thigh injury.

Jesus Bueno

The Philadelphia Union midfielder had a long-range effort hit the post in the 12th minute and connected well on a tricky volley inside the box in the 40th minute, but it was blocked by Markovic.

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The takeaway

This scoreless draw keeps D.C. United above the struggling Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference standings, but both teams will be looking to find more offensive production in the coming weeks to climb the table.