D.C. United mounts a second-half comeback against Conference leaders Nashville SC, to salvage a point at home

By: Mario Amaya 

Tai Baribo scored his 11th goal of the season against Nashville SC on Saturday night. Photo Credit: D.C. United

Washington, D.C.- D.C. United entered Saturday night’s game at home against the Eastern Conference leaders, Nashville SC, looking for a second straight win at home after their 2-1 victory against Toronto FC at home. For Nashville, a win on the road meant getting back to winning ways after falling on the road to Orlando City SC and having a small cushion ahead of their Leagues Cup debut against Liga MX side Club Leon.   

Despite Nashville going into halftime with the lead, D.C. United would mount a comeback in the second half in front of their fans as they finished the game 2-2 in front of a sold-out Audi Field. 

This was the second meeting this season between both teams. Both teams drew earlier in the month of May by the same scoreline. 

The Game 

D.C. United would have the first clear chance on goal on a breakaway in the 26th minute as João Peglow marched down the field after a clearance, laying the ball off to Louis Munteanu at the top of the box. The Romanian forward cut back inside the box and took a shot on goal, forcing a save from Nashville’s goalkeeper Brian Schwake. 

In the 29th minute, Nashville was awarded a penalty after Hany Mukhtar dribbled the ball close to the edge of the box. Mukhtar sent a cross into the box, but the ball hit off the arm of Brendan Sarvania, and the referee of the match, Ricardo Montero, pointed to the spot. 

It would be Sam Surridge who would take the penalty, and the English striker would not miss from the spot, placing the ball on the left-hand side of Sean Johnson’s net to give Nashville the lead. 

Nashville would double their lead in the 40th minute, as Mukhtar weaved past a D.C. defender and placed the ball in the direction of Shak Mohammed, who took a shot at goal, but Keisuke Kurokawa blocked the ball. The ball would find its way back to Mohammed on the ensuing rebound, and the Ghanaian tucked the ball past Johnson to double Nashville’s lead a few minutes before halftime. 

United almost opened up their scoring before halftime as Lucas Bartlett's shot floated towards goal, forcing Schwake to punch the ball over the bar and out of play. 

D.C. would find a response in the 60th minute. Off a corner kick taken by Peglow, the Brazilian’s set piece was able to find Kye Rowles inside the box. The Australian center back headed the ball in the direction of Munteau, who headed the ball towards goal. Schwake got to the ball and punched the ball in the air, but his clearance would fall to Silvan Hefti, who would catch the ball in the air and place the ball in the right corner of the net. Montero originally called the goal back due to a foul on Schwake. After five minutes of analyzing the play, Montero was called to review the play in VAR to review the play. After the review, Montero overturned the call, validating the goal and giving Hefti his first goal as a member of the Black-and-Red. 

D.C. would be on the front foot offensively, looking for the equalizer, and they found it in the 77th minute. Tai Baribo would connect with Munteanu, as the Romanian forward received the ball as he was falling outside the box; Munteanu, in a last-ditch effort, was able to push the ball forward with a scorpion kick pass to Baribo who let the ball bounce once before ripping a volley that would pierce the right-hand side of Schwake's net, bringing the sold-out crowd at Audi Field to their feet. 

With the goal, Baribo now sits 5th in the MLS Golden Boot race, just one goal behind Leo Messi of Inter Miami, who sits at 12 goals, and two goals behind Hugo Cuypers of the Chicago Fire, Nico Fernandez of NYCFC, and Petar Musa of FC Dallas, who all sit at 13 goals apiece.  

With this result, D.C. United still sit in 9th place of the Eastern Conference with 23 points, while Nashville still sits in 1st place of the Eastern Conference with 40 points. 

Now D.C. United travel north of the border as they visit CF Montreal. The game will take place on Saturday, August 15th, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 pm.