D.C. United, Atlanta United stagger to 0-0 draw: Match report

D.C. United and Atlanta United met on Saturday and continued a recent history of uneventful draws, with the two sides settling for a 0-0 stalemate at Audi Field.

The Five Stripes out-shot the Black-and-Red by a margin of 19-4, but the hosts survived a last-second flurry to secure a point.

Both teams created early chances that went for naught. Nathan Ordaz curled a good look inches wide, while Kye Rowles produced a critical block in front of an empty net to deny Breel Embolo.

Brandon Servania's low 24th-minute cross nearly found Tai Baribo on the doorstep, but Júnior Alonso matched Rowles' block by lunging in to prevent a sure goal. From the resulting series of corners, Andre Dozzell's dipping long-range hit arced just over the bar. Again Atlanta had a threat in response, with Miguel Almirón's volley on the turn looping just beyond the back post.

In truth though, fluent play was lacking throughout the first half, with Atlanta seeing 70% of possession as both teams cancelled each other out.

Sean Johnson had to be alert to deny Almirón's attempted 48th-minute olimpico, but beyond that the game needed a spark. Both benches opted for a big swing before the hour, with triple substitutions from each side.

Switzerland striker Breel Embolo looked to break through on the hour mark, but Johnson denied the Atlanta newcomer with a kick-save. The Five Stripes were looking the bigger threat, but a horrid, sliced attempt from Almirón in the 64th minute summed up their sharpness in the final third.

It did at least serve as a nudge for the hosts, who saw Baribo head over a minute later, but the visitors had at least upped the tempo to pin D.C. back.

D.C. had to hang on to the point in the final seconds, much to Atlanta's chagrin. A cross looped up off of Lucas Bartlett and over Johnson, and Luke Brennan's attempt to bury the chance hit the bar, rebounded off the 21-year-old, and was cleared off the line. The visitors pleaded for VAR, but referee Malik Badawi blew for full time instead.

A home draw against Atlanta counts as a missed opportunity for United (6-11-7), who remain below the Eastern Conference playoff borderline. They'll look to end this three-game homestand on a positive note next Saturday, when Charlotte FC come to Audi Field. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Box score — MLS regular season (game 24)
9/12/2026

D.C. United 0
Atlanta United 0

Lineups:
DCU (442): Sean Johnson; Silvan Hefti (Jared Stroud 55), Lucas Bartlett (C), Kye Rowles, Keisuke Kurokawa; Kimito Nono, Andre Dozzell (Nikola Markovic 81), Brandon Servania (Matti Peltola 55), Nathan Ordaz (Jackson Hopkins 55); Tai Baribo, Louis Munteanu (Hosei Kijima 89)

Atlanta (433): Lucas Hoyos; Tomás Jacob, Enea Mihaj, Júnior Alonso (Matthew Edwards 57), Elías Báez; Cooper Sanchez (Luke Brennan 87), Mauricio Amaro (Tristan Muyumba 57), Jay Fortune (Adrian Gill 57); Alexey Miranchuk, Breel Embolo, Miguel Almirón (Fafà Picault 73)

Bookings:
DCU - Rowles 68, Nono 70, Stroud 71
Atlanta - Amaro 36, Muyumba 62

Referee: Malik Badawi
Weather: Muggy, cloudy, 79°
Attendance: 14,189