{"id":4272,"date":"2026-09-20T17:29:06","date_gmt":"2026-09-20T17:29:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/?p=4272"},"modified":"2026-09-22T18:28:05","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T18:28:05","slug":"d-c-united-comes-up-short-against-charlotte-fc-at-audi-field","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/?p=4272","title":{"rendered":"D.C. United Comes Up Short Against Charlotte FC at Audi Field"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

September 19, 2026 | Audi Field \u2014 Washington, D.C. | MLS Regular Season<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WASHINGTON \u2014<\/strong> D.C. United returned to Audi Field on Saturday night with an opportunity to continue a late-season stretch of improved results as the Black-and-Red faced Charlotte FC in their third consecutive home match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

D.C. entered the night unbeaten in its previous three matches and carrying a 6-7-11 record with 29 points. With the regular season moving into its final stretch and a postponed match against FC Cincinnati still to be played, United had an opportunity to continue collecting points before a difficult run of road matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The recent results had provided some encouragement. D.C. defeated the Columbus Crew 2-1 at Audi Field on September 9 behind two first-half goals from Tai Baribo before playing Atlanta United to a scoreless draw three days later. Goalkeeper Sean Johnson recorded his sixth clean sheet of the season against Atlanta as United extended its unbeaten run to three matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charlotte arrived in Washington with momentum of its own. The Crown entered with 40 points and had already gotten the better of D.C. earlier in the season, earning a 3-1 victory at Audi Field on August 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday\u2019s rematch gave United an opportunity not only to reverse that result but to close out its three-match homestand with points before heading west to face Vancouver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the match began, D.C. showed little hesitation going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Black-and-Red generated opportunities throughout the opening half, with Louis Munteanu among the most active players in the attacking third. Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina was repeatedly called into action as D.C. searched for the opening goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"D.C.
Charlotte FC presses DC United during their game at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"D.C.
Charlotte FC defender David Schnegg (23) jumps over D.C. United midfielder Jackson Hopkins (25) for a header during their game at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"D.C.
D.C. United defender Kimito Nono (2) and Charlotte FC forward Allan Saint-Maximin (10) battle for the ball during their game at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Instead, Charlotte struck first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 22nd minute, D.C. partially cleared a Charlotte attack before the ball fell to Ashley Westwood outside the penalty area. The Charlotte captain connected from distance, sending his effort past Johnson to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

United continued to create opportunities after falling behind. Munteanu forced Kahlina into a save before sending another close-range opportunity over the bar, while Andre Dozzell, Kye Rowles and Jackson Hopkins also tested the Charlotte goalkeeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"D.C.
Charlotte FC forward Liel Abada (11) on a fast break during their game against D.C. United at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"D.C.
Charlotte FC midfielder Ashley Westwood (8) celebrates with his teammates David Schnegg (23) and Brandt Bronico (13) after scoring a goal during their game against D.C. United at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"D.C.
D.C. United defender Lucas Bartlett (3) defends against Charlotte FC forward Idan Toklomati (9) during their game at Audi Field<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Charlotte had chances to extend its advantage as well, but Johnson made several saves to keep D.C. within one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The visitors carried the 1-0 lead into halftime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

United\u2019s response came almost immediately after the restart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kimito Nono drew a foul near the Charlotte penalty area, giving D.C. a dangerous set-piece opportunity. Keisuke Kurokawa delivered the ensuing ball into the box, where Lucas Bartlett rose and headed it into the net in the 47th minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal pulled D.C. level at 1-1 and shifted the momentum inside Audi Field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

United continued pushing forward after the equalizer. Munteanu sent a header narrowly wide, Baribo struck the woodwork and D.C. continued applying pressure as it searched for a go-ahead goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"D.C.
D.C. United defender Lucas Bartlett (3) celebrates scoring a goal during their game against the Charlotte FC at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"D.C.
D.C. United forward Jo\u00e3o Peglow (7) is slide tackled by Charlotte FC midfielder Pep Biel (16) during their game at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"D.C.
D.C. United forward Louis Munteanu (11) heads the ball past Charlotte FC defender Nathan Byrne (14) during their game at Audi Field<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But Charlotte capitalized on one of its opportunities in the 71st minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allan Saint-Maximin worked his way toward the end line before finding enough space to send a left-footed shot past Johnson from a difficult angle. Westwood provided the assist as Charlotte regained the lead, 2-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

United nearly answered immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Munteanu struck a shot from the top of the penalty area that hit the crossbar, bounced down near the goal line and came back into play. D.C. players appealed that the ball had crossed the line, but the ruling on the field was no goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"D.C.
D.C. United forward Jo\u00e3o Peglow (7) and Charlotte FC defender Nathan Byrne (14) collide while racing for the ball during their game at Audi Field <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"D.C.
Charlotte FC forward Allan Saint-Maximin (10) backflips while celebrating scoring a goal during their game against D.C. United at Audi Field<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"D.C.
Charlotte FC midfielder Ashley Westwood (8) attempts to kick the ball near D.C. United midfielder Andre Dozzell (21) during their game at Audi Field<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Video review did not overturn the decision, leaving Charlotte ahead by one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sequence became the defining moment of a night in which United produced more than enough opportunities to change the result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

D.C. finished with 31 shots, including 11 on target, while Charlotte produced 10 shots with seven on target. Kahlina finished with 10 saves for the visitors, while Johnson made five for United.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the sustained pressure, D.C. could not find another equalizer before the final whistle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2-1 defeat ended United\u2019s three-match unbeaten run and dropped the Black-and-Red to 6-8-11 with 29 points through 25 matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

D.C. now heads back on the road, traveling to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC on September 26.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Score<\/strong>
D.C. United 1\u20132 Charlotte FC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goals<\/strong>
22\u2019 \u2014 Charlotte FC: Ashley Westwood
47\u2019 \u2014 D.C. United: Lucas Bartlett (Keisuke Kurokawa)
71\u2019 \u2014 Charlotte FC: Allan Saint-Maximin (Ashley Westwood)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more of Daniel Sperling’s work, visit his page at: Daniel Sperling Photography<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game Highlights<\/a><\/strong>
D.C. United vs. Charlotte FC \u2014 MLS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Story by Shawn PaynePhotos by Daniel Sperling September 19, 2026 | Audi Field \u2014 Washington, D.C. | MLS Regular Season WASHINGTON \u2014 D.C. United returned to Audi Field on Saturday night with an opportunity to continue a late-season stretch of improved results as the Black-and-Red faced Charlotte FC in their third consecutive home match. D.C. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4255,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[40,28,84,25,33,27,50],"class_list":["post-4272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mls","tag-audi-field","tag-audi-stadium","tag-charlotte-fc","tag-dc-united","tag-major-league-soccer","tag-mls","tag-soccer"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":7},"has_hero_section":"default","hero_section":"type-2","hero_elements":[{"id":"custom_title","enabled":true,"heading_tag":"h1","title":"Home","__id":"8duIGGN-_SXze_fVKMT2d"},{"id":"custom_description","enabled":true,"description_visibility":{"desktop":true,"tablet":true,"mobile":false},"__id":"lIww20Nkz5KiwhBMOOIGI"},{"id":"custom_meta","enabled":true,"meta_elements":[{"id":"author","enabled":true,"label":"By","has_author_avatar":"yes","avatar_size":25},{"id":"post_date","enabled":true,"label":"On","date_format_source":"default","date_format":"M j, Y"},{"id":"updated_date","enabled":false,"label":"On","date_format_source":"default","date_format":"M j, Y"},{"id":"categories","enabled":true,"label":"In","style":"simple"},{"id":"comments","enabled":true}],"page_meta_elements":{"joined":true,"articles_count":true,"comments":true},"__id":"w7YjkuyMOmP4fauXOR1bi"},{"id":"breadcrumbs","enabled":false,"__id":"ksQVzZju5P2KE4psAyDpw"}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4272","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4272"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4272\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4274,"href":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4272\/revisions\/4274"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4255"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4272"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4272"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/takethespacemedia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}