Tai Baribo scoring in his DC United debut against the Philadelphia Union felt like an inevitability so it wasn’t surprising when he opened his scoring account in the first half on Saturday night at Audi Field. What was more surprising was Ezekiel Alladoh getting sent off with a straight red for dissent, which contributed to a rare loss on opening day and to D.C.

In the email today:

1. 🐍 Union Drop Season-Opener at DC United

Tai Baribo scoring against the Philadelphia Union in his DC United debut was always a likely possibility and the striker did just that Saturday night, handing his former team their first season-opening loss since 2020 in a 1-0 victory at Audi Field.

Baribo was sold to the Union's Eastern Conference rivals in the offseason for $4 million and he looked like a breath of fresh air to a DC attack that struggled mightily in a Wooden Spoon-winning 2025 season. His former team looked less the defending Supporters' Shield winners and more a team trying to find its footing after a midweek trip to Trinidad & Tobago. A banged up team at that.

Jovan Lukic missed his second straight game with injury and Frankie Westfield was a late scratch - his replacement Finn Sundstrom left at halftime after rolling his ankle.

Ezekiel Alladoh, the Union's record-breaking offseason acquisition was sent off with a straight red card for dissent in the 59th minute. Despite the unexpected setback, the Union were still able to create some chances in the final half hour after Alladoh's exit. They finished the game with 1.2 xG to DC's 1.3 but it wasn't enough to avoid a rare loss to DC, their first at Audi Field since 2021.

Cavan Sullivan had two set pieces into dangerous spots and Alejandro Bedoya nearly set up Agustin Anello on a crafty play in the box but the Union didn't challenge veteran goalkeeper Sean Johnson enough in his DC United debut. They ended up outshooting the hosts 13-7 but had just three shots on target right at Johnson.

Baribo opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a tidy finish in the left side of the box off a feed from João Peglow. Earlier, he put the ball in the back of the net but the Union back line was bailed out by an offside flag. Baribo also hit the post and forced Andre Blake into a lovely diving save to his right, but that play - and what would've been Blake's only save of the night - was waived off by an offside flag.

The Union will return home for the second leg of their first round Champions Cup match with Defence Force FC before welcoming NYCFC for their home opener on Sunday.

2. 📈 Rate the U

Weigh in on individual performances from last night in our player ratings poll.

3.💧Water Cooler: Results

Where Will the Union Finish in 2026?

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 1st-3rd (11)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 4th-7th (20)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 8th-11th (4)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 12th-15th (1)
36 Votes

via @beehiiv polls

4. 📰 Social Post of the Day: Left Back

4. 🔗 Link Roundup

• Todd Lewis recaps last night’s game for The Free Kick.

• Japhet Sery Larsen had a team high 7.2 FotMob rating from last night. Olwethu Makhanya had a team-high 7.0 WhoScored rating.

• Our friends at The District Press recapped the match from a DC United point of view.

• Of course, Tai Baribo burning the Philadelphia Union gets top billing on the MLS website.

• It was a big week for Philadelphia Union Academy and YSC Academy alums. Jack Jasinski signed with San Jose, Jackson Gilman signed with Toronto FC II, Andrew Johnson signed with Charlotte FC and Andrei Chirila made his first team debut for FC Cincinnati in Champions Cup.

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