A series of defensive misadventures before halftime condemned D.C. United to a dispiriting 4-1 road defeat against the Philadelphia Union. Kacper Przybylko posted two goals and an assist for the Union, who raced out to a three-goal lead in the game’s opening 21 minutes. Julian Gressel pulled one goal back for United, but there was little evidence that a comeback was in the cards.
Injuries and absences forced Ben Olsen into a makeshift lineup, particularly in the back. Per The Washington Post’s Steve Goff, Bill Hamid did not travel for personal reasons, while team captain Steven Birnbaum joined a list of six other injured players with an unspecified knock.