D.C. had a disastrous showing at home, getting routed by the Chicago Fire

D.C. entered their week with high hopes after their big victory on the road against Cincinnati, were looking to improve on that result in front of their supporters when they hosted the Chicago Fire Saturday night at Audi Field. 

Garrison Tubbs starter in D.C. United's defeat against the Chicago Fire Saturday night. Photo Credit: D.C. United

However, the visitors had other ideas and destroyed D.C. in front of 16,715 fans who gathered to watch Chicago defeat United by the final score of 6-1.

This was the second time this season D.C. had lost a game by five or more goals. The other occasion was a 6-0 on the road back in April against San Jose.   

“This is twice now in the season that we have results like that, and that’s just not good enough,” said D.C. United Head Coach Troy Lesesne, “I can’t question the effort, as bizarre as that sounds, probably, losing the way we did. I think everyone’s putting everything that they have into it. But it’s got to be more than that.”

The Game

In the 8th minute, Andrew Gutman played a pass from the midfield line to Rominigue Kouame, who played the ball to Johnny Dean, who sent a low cross into the box to Maren Haile-Selassie, who one-timed the ball past Luis Barraza to open up the scoring for the Fire.

Chicago would double its lead in the 24th minute when a Philip Zincernagle through ball found Johnathan Bamba. The Ivorian beat Lucas Bartlett to the ball and raced towards the box and let off a shot that beat Barraza to his far-right end of the goal. 

“It’s just an unacceptable performance from us at home,” Said D.C. United midfielder Brandon Servania. “I know going into Saturday against Salt Lake is going to be a different game.”

Chicago would further their lead five minutes after a Gutman long ball beat D.C.'s defense, finding Tom Barlow, who, with a one-time shot, put the ball in the far-right corner of the net, scoring his first of three goals on the night. 

“Andrew’s (Gutman) pass was insane,” said Barlow about the assist on his first goal. “It set me up so nicely because I didn’t have to take a touch, which set me up perfectly.” 

Barlow would get his second goal of the game two minutes before halftime after a Bamba run set up Halie-Selassie. The right winger laid the ball off to Barlow, who one-timed his shot from a short distance, rolled past Barraza, and into the back of the net. 

A bizarre incident happened at the start of the second half as a toddler ran onto the field wanting to join in on the action, but Chicago Fire defender Omar Gonzalez intercepted the toddler, and security safely escorted him off the field.

Zinckerangel got on the score sheet with a shot from distance that ended up piercing the far-right corner of Barraza’s net. 

D.C. was able to get on the score 60th minute after Dominique Badji stripped the ball from Chicago’s goalie Jeffery Gal and put the ball into an empty net. 

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“I think we were just a little bit reactive,” Servania said. “They were able to break our press and catch us on the counter, and I think as a group we had to be a little bit more organized and proactive in trying to solve problems.”

Barlow would get his hat-trick in the 65th minute. After a failed clearance on a Zinckernagel corner kick, the ball fell to Leonardo Barroso, who ran into the box and got a powerful shot off that Barraza was able to stop. A failed rebound clearance by Garrison Tubbs found Barlow, who one-timed it into the net. 

“Playing here at Audi Field has always been pretty tough,” said Gonzalez “We are a completely different team than the last time we faced them at home. We have grown a lot as a team. To come here to finish this road series with a statement win is amazing.” 

D.C. subbed in homegrown player Gavin Turner in the 66th minute in for Jarrod Stroud, making his MLS debut since signing a contract with D.C. in February. 

“Really disappointed with the result,” Turner said. “But I’m really grateful to make my first appearance for my boyhood club.”

Chicago finished the game off in the 91st minute on a counterattack when Jason Shokalook passed the ball to an open Brian Gutierrez. Gutierrez shot the ball past a rushing Barraza into the lower right corner. 

This result was the worst home loss in D.C.’s. The last time D.C. considered five or more goals at home was in 2022 when they lost 6-0 to the Philadelphia Union at home. This also equals the worst result, which also happened against the Union on the road, with the score of that game ending 7-0. 

With this result, D.C. stays in 12th place of the Eastern Conference with 18 points, while Chicago moves up to 9th place in the Eastern Conference with 25 points. 

D.C. now travels out west where they face Real Salt Lake on Saturday, June 14th. Kickoff is at 9:30 pm.