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Story & Photos by Shawn Payne
September 9, 2026 | Audi Field — Washington, D.C. | MLS Regular Season
WASHINGTON, D.C. — D.C. United returned to Audi Field Wednesday night looking to build momentum at a crucial point in the MLS season, while the Columbus Crew arrived in Washington attempting to continue a turnaround of their own.
The Black-and-Red entered the match with a 5-7-10 record and 25 points after an unexpected break in their schedule. D.C.’s Sept. 5 road match against FC Cincinnati was postponed because of inclement weather and concerns over pitch conditions, leaving United without a match since its scoreless draw against Los Angeles FC on Aug. 29.
That draw had given D.C. another encouraging defensive performance. Goalkeeper Sean Johnson recorded his fifth clean sheet of the season, while United held LAFC to just one shot on target. Still sitting outside the Eastern Conference playoff positions, D.C. needed to begin turning draws into victories as the regular season moved into its closing stretch.
Columbus entered Audi Field at 6-12-5 with 23 points, just two behind D.C., but with some momentum after a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids four days earlier. The win ended a five-match winless run for the Crew and came during a period of significant change for the club following several summer roster moves.
The two Eastern Conference clubs had not met previously in 2026. Their most recent meeting came in July 2025, when Columbus earned a 2-1 victory at Lower.com Field.
On Wednesday night, D.C. reversed that result.
Columbus created the first dangerous opportunity in the 11th minute when Santiago Rodríguez tested Johnson from outside the penalty area, forcing the D.C. goalkeeper into a save.
United quickly responded.
Louis Munteanu forced Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte into a save in the 15th minute, and one minute later Kimito Nono came within inches of opening the scoring when his attempt struck the crossbar.
The breakthrough arrived in the 24th minute.
Munteanu found Tai Baribo in front of goal, and the D.C. forward finished from close range to give the Black-and-Red a 1-0 advantage.
United continued pushing and Baribo struck again before halftime. Nono delivered the ball into the area and Baribo finished into the bottom corner for his second goal of the night, sending D.C. into the break with a 2-0 lead.
The brace increased Baribo’s season total from 12 to 14 goals and gave D.C. control of the match heading into the second half.
Columbus, however, responded almost immediately after the restart.
In the 49th minute, Josef Martínez found Rodríguez outside the penalty area. Rodríguez curled a right-footed effort into the bottom corner past Johnson, cutting United’s lead to 2-1 and bringing the Crew back into the match.
D.C. nearly restored its two-goal advantage moments later. Kye Rowles rose to meet a corner in the 50th minute, but his header struck the crossbar.
From there, Columbus began applying sustained pressure.
Johnson denied Brais Méndez in the 61st minute, and Méndez came close again in the 70th when his attempt hit the woodwork.
Columbus finished the night with nearly 68 percent of the possession and outshot D.C. 15-10, but United remained disciplined defensively and limited the Crew to four shots on target.
Rowles, returning to the starting lineup following injury, was at the center of that defensive effort with 16 defensive contributions and seven clearances. Matti Peltola also played a significant role after entering at halftime, recording eight defensive contributions and seven tackles.
Nono finished with an assist while creating a team-high four chances.
After six minutes of second-half stoppage time, D.C. closed out the 2-1 victory and secured three important points at Audi Field.
The win improved United to 6-7-10 with 28 points and moved the club back into 11th place in the Eastern Conference. Columbus fell to 6-13-5 with 23 points.
For D.C., the result represented more than simply another home victory. After a season filled with draws and narrow margins, United converted an aggressive first-half performance into three points — with Baribo again providing the finishing touch.
Final: D.C. United 2, Columbus Crew 1
Goals:
D.C. United — Tai Baribo 24’, 36’
Columbus Crew — Santiago Rodríguez 49’
