D.C. United fell 4-1 to Orlando City SC in the 2026 MLS regular season on Oct. 17 at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Tai Baribo scored D.C. United’s lone goal on a penalty kick in the 45th minute of first-half stoppage time, but Orlando scored twice in the second half to secure the victory.
D.C. United outshot Orlando City SC 16-14 but recorded four shots on target compared with Orlando’s seven. D.C. United also led the corner-kick count 8-1, while Orlando held a 2-1 halftime advantage.
Orlando City SC Builds Early Lead
Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring for Orlando City SC in the 15th minute, with MartĂn Ojeda providing the assist. Ojeda doubled the hosts’ lead in the 22nd minute after receiving a pass from Griezmann.
Baribo converted D.C. United’s penalty kick in the 45th minute of first-half stoppage time to cut the deficit to 2-1. The goal was Baribo’s team-leading 16th of the MLS season, and he finished with seven total shots and 100% passing accuracy in 90 minutes.
Griezmann scored again in the 50th minute before Marco Pašalić added Orlando City SC’s fourth goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.
D.C. United Makes Three Starting-Lineup Changes
Head coach René Weiler made three changes to D.C. United’s starting lineup after the team’s win over Red Bull New York. Sean Nealis replaced Lucas Bartlett, who served a one-match suspension following a red card, while João Peglow returned to the starting lineup and Jared Stroud made his first start since May 23 against CF Montréal.
Nealis made his first start since Aug. 19 against the New England Revolution, won 100% of his ground duels and recorded eight defensive contributions. Andre Dozzell made his 14th start for D.C. United, recording six recoveries and seven passes into the final third.
Peglow created two chances and recorded four recoveries in 78 minutes. Orlando City SC’s Antoine Griezmann scored twice and assisted Ojeda’s goal in the victory.
D.C. United Remains 12th in Eastern Conference
The result left D.C. United in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with 33 points. D.C. United is 2-5-7 on the road during the 2026 MLS season and 10-10-3 against Orlando City SC in regular-season matchups, including a 4-7-1 road record against Orlando.
D.C. United will travel to TQL Stadium to face FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
MSB Analysis
D.C. United created a statistical advantage in total shots and corner kicks but could not convert those opportunities into additional goals. Baribo’s penalty reduced Orlando City SC’s lead before halftime, but Griezmann’s second goal and Pašalić’s late finish secured the 4-1 result.
Source: Original report
