{"id":4183,"date":"2026-09-10T18:34:56","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T18:34:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/?p=4183"},"modified":"2026-09-11T19:26:52","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T19:26:52","slug":"baribos-brace-lifts-d-c-united-past-columbus-crew-at-audi-field","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/?p=4183","title":{"rendered":"Baribo\u2019s Brace Lifts D.C. United Past Columbus Crew at Audi Field"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Story & Photos by Shawn Payne<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

September 9, 2026 | Audi Field \u2014 Washington, D.C. | MLS Regular Season<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"DSC05894\"
D.C. United fans are ready for kickoff ahead of the Black-and-Red\u2019s matchup against the Columbus Crew at Audi Field<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"DSC04018\"
Military color guard presents the American flag during pre-match ceremonies ahead of D.C. United\u2019s match against the Columbus Crew at Audi Field<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"IMG_5055\"
Pre game entertainment at Audi Field for the DC United vs Columbus Crew game<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Wednesday night, D.C. reversed that result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Columbus created the first dangerous opportunity in the 11th minute when Santiago Rodr\u00edguez tested Johnson from outside the penalty area, forcing the D.C. goalkeeper into a save.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

United quickly responded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The breakthrough arrived in the 24th minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"DSC04744\"
Jo\u00e3o Peglow plays the ball into Louis Munteanu as D.C. United begins the final sequence leading to its opening goal against Columbus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"DSC04747\"
Louis Munteanu receives Peglow\u2019s pass and sends the ball across the face of goal toward Tai Baribo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"DSC04756\"
Tai Baribo finishes Munteanu\u2019s cross from close range in the 24th minute to give D.C. United a 1-0 lead<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brace increased Baribo\u2019s season total from 12 to 14 goals and gave D.C. control of the match heading into the second half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Columbus, however, responded almost immediately after the restart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"DSC04388\"
DC United fans ecstatic with their lead over Columbus Crew at Audi Stadium <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"DSC04325\"
Columbus Crew goalkeeper looking for options during their game against DC United at Audi Stadium<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"DSC03782\"
DC United fans pleased with it’s lead over Columbus Crew at Audi Stadium<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the 49th minute, Josef Mart\u00ednez found Rodr\u00edguez outside the penalty area. Rodr\u00edguez curled a right-footed effort into the bottom corner past Johnson, cutting United\u2019s lead to 2-1 and bringing the Crew back into the match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From there, Columbus began applying sustained pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Johnson denied Brais M\u00e9ndez in the 61st minute, and M\u00e9ndez came close again in the 70th when his attempt hit the woodwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"DSC05863\"
Columbus Crew pressing offensively at their game against DC United at Audi Field<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"DSC05612\"
Strong defensive action as Columbus Crew holds off DC United at Audi Stadium<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"DSC06296\"
Columbus Crew on the attack against DC United at Audi Stadium<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nono finished with an assist while creating a team-high four chances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"DSC04068\"
Columbus Crew celebrates their goal against DC United at Audi Field<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"DSC04611\"
Columbus Crew goalie being kept bust at their game against DC United at Audi Field<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"DSC05328\"
VAR action at Audi Field with DC United against Columbus Crew<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After six minutes of second-half stoppage time, D.C. closed out the 2-1 victory and secured three important points at Audi Field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2014 with Baribo again providing the finishing touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final: D.C. United 2, Columbus Crew 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goals:<\/strong>
D.C. United \u2014 Tai Baribo 24\u2019, 36\u2019
Columbus Crew \u2014 Santiago Rodr\u00edguez 49\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game Highlights<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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