We’ve reached Matchday 25 of Atlanta United’s 2026 sesason, and the Five Stripes will spend it rounding out an eight day stretch that so far has provided a mixed bag of performances and results.
Let’s begin with some head-to-head stats, courtesy of stats.scarvesandspikes.com:
The head to head results from this season and last have offered nothing but draws between these two sides, putting the clubs even closer than their similar names and colors already do. Back in March, Atlanta and D.C. played to a scoreless draw in the Benz in which the Five Stripes held over 70% of the possession, but couldn’t put together any chances of quality to challenge Sean Johnson in goal.
Atlanta and D.C. now both find themselves on together on the outside of the playoff pool, with D.C. holding the 11th place spot in the table, six points above Atlanta in 14th. While Atlanta have seemingly come back down to earth after enjoying a short lived win streak, D.C. was able to snap a winless run of five matches last time out against Columbus.
Striker Tai Baribo scored a brace Wednesday night, making it 6 goals in his last 7 and sending him into a three way tie for third in the golden boot race with 14 on the season. He’ll go up against an Atlanta defense and midfield with plenty of minutes on the legs over the past week, having dealt with Messi and Suarez in Miami before Griezmann and Ojeda with Orlando.
Thankfully, as of yesterday’s availability report, Tata Martino will have plenty of personnel to choose from. Galoppo is questionable while undergoing his visa processing, implying that the end should be near for him to finally join the team. Alzate is listed as out, still dealing with an illness picked up this week.
Kickoff from Audi Field is set for 7:40 PM ET in the nation’s capital. Streaming comes through Apple TV, and audio only coverage is available on 92.9 The Game in English, while La Mejor is your go-to for Spanish radio.
No matter where you are, or how things look on the pitch, feel free to chime in on the match down below in our match thread as the Five Stripes look to get back to winning ways in D.C.
Atlanta United’s Lineup:
D.C. United’s Lineup:
How to Watch:
Venue: Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
Kickoff Time: Saturday, September 12th, 7:40 PM ET
Available TV/Streaming: Apple TV
Available Radio: 92.9 The Game, La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM
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What a fitting ending lol. What a frustrating match
Ugh, tie that feels like a loss. It’s not even like we didn’t produce great chances, it just wouldn’t go in.
The defending was also amazing. We literally had a (kind of) golden boot contender look invisible and suffocated their entire team all night long.
Miranchuk takes a shot!!!
How does it refuse to go in? Oh my gosh
Offside anyways, but still so frustrating
Miranchuk just refuses to shoot
Unlike him. Also can we maybe send a cross into the box now and then?
Oh my goodness Muyumba that was the best piece of skill I’ve seen all year.
Miggy over the bar. All is right again.
I think this is the earliest I’ve ever seen Tata used subs lol. And so many too.
I take it Jacob scoots back to CB and Edwards as RB?
Don’t care what anyone says: Embolo is a beast
agh, why didn’t you shoot Miranchuk?
I get why he didn’t shoot, but at the same time, your a DP who gets paid millions to bury chances like those.
Yes, was screaming at my TV.
As a Spurs fan who watched them dominate Everton for 90 minutes and not score, this could really hurt. Really good buildup, but someone needs to just take things into their own hands and put the ball in the net. Hopefully we score early next half and the flood gates open.
Defense is doing its job, for once…mostly. I feel as though we are trying just the little bit harder than DC. Hopeful but cautious. Also if we’ve learned anything about Tai Baribo after the past few seasons against him, he doesn’t handle frustration well, and we exploit it every time. Fingers crossed at half time. This may be a one goal game.
Both CB’s have been pretty good.
I thought it looked decent. Yeah, it’s slow build up instead of fast build up, but DC United is determined to stay in that low block. We’re getting into some decent spots, just need to get some shots off.
I would argue that this has been one of our best away showings of the season
Slow counter attacks and terrible final third passing continues to destroy this team. Tactics need dramatic change. Not impressed with Embolo thus far. He doesn’t win balls and his passing is very poor. Hopefully not another big money mistake.
This team bores the ever living shit out of me.
Right away CS has time and space to turn upfield but he immediately passes backwards. No wonder we can’t score.
Line ups out. Gil is back and in for Muyumba, mijah starts over Diaz. Looks like maybe some messages being sent. Wonder if we see a formation changes.
Gil is on the bench. I don’t know what line up you are looking at.
Mihaj for Diaz? Does not compute.
Strange, I was in the mls app earlier and could have sworn that’s what they showed.
I hadn’t even started drinking yet
Huge missed opportunity to climb the table on Wednesday. Now, DC will be a direct competitor for who is going to slip in those last 2 playoff spots. We have to win tonight. Or it’s back to the laughing stock.