D.C. United rallied a comeback from a two-goal deficit but ultimately fell short 2-1 to Inter Miami CF on March 7 at M&T Bank Stadium. Forward Tai Baribo pulled one back in the 75th minute with an electrifying finish from the center of the box, sparking a late push from the black-and-red United in front of a sellout crowd.
“I think we all know we didn’t start our best at all. It’s hard when you go down 2-0 to such a good team, but I think the whole second half we were the better team,” said midfielder Jackson Hopkins. “We responded really well and created a lot of chances, and we probably could have had two or three if we finished our chances in the first half. I’m proud of the way we all responded, but we know we gotta be sharper and more awake at the beginning.”
The reigning MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami CF, secured a road victory with goals from defensive midfielder Rodrigo De Paul and team captain Lionel Messi. De Paul opened the scoring effect in the 17th minute, netting his first goal of the season. Messi extended the team’s advantage in the 27th minute, adding a second goal that put Miami ahead 2-0.
United showed resilience throughout the second half, creating several opportunities as they pushed to level the match in their favor. Chances from strikers Louis Munteanu, Hopkins, and centre back Lucas Barlett pressured Miami’s defense in the final minutes, bringing tremendous excitement for Washington fans.
“At the end of the first half, we were lucky because we gave them a lot of space to play the counterattacks. I told the team, ‘Hey, don’t lose the head. Don’t play another style of game,’” said D.C. United Head Coach René Weiler. “We have to play properly and simple, and we have to search for the first goal. At the end, it was a good second half, and that is the positive part.”
United forward Baribo scored the team’s lone goal in the 75th minute, marking his second in black and red, while playing the full 90 minutes. Midfielder João Peglow created two scoring opportunities and won six ground duels over the course of the match.
Goalkeeper Sean Johnson stopped three of five shots faced on target, while defender Kyle Rowles finished the day with 88% passing accuracy and five defensive recoveries.
Despite the 2-1 defeat, D.C. United’s fight and second-half momentum provided a sense of hope for the team’s future and built momentum into next week’s road matchup against Chicago Fire FC.
“I think it’s really the mental game,” said midfielder Caden Clark. “We all have the ability and the skillset to do what we did in those last 20-25 minutes. Of course, you can [factor] in the stadium, the environment, playing against Messi, but I think we showed that we can play. And we could’ve won the game on numerous chances or tied it at least. Sojust know that we belong, and carry that momentum forward, and keep that confidence.”
Sellout Crowd Fills M&T Bank Stadium For D.C. United-Inter Miami CF MLS Showdown
Inter Miami’s victory over D.C. United at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday attracted a sold-out crowd of 72,026, marking the first-ever MLS match played at the Baltimore stadium.
“It was nice to have a game in front of so many spectators and in this beautiful stadium,” said Weiler. “But as coach and as players, we prefer to have [a] good result at the end. But yeah, it was a nice atmosphere.”
In a local game north of I-95, the crowd set a new home attendance record for D.C. United and marked the second time in the first three weeks of the 2026 MLS season that more than 70,000 fans attended a match. Messi’s presence is known for consistent historic fan turnouts, and Inter Miami’s third match of the season continued that trend.
To accommodate the surge in fan demand, D.C. United moved the match from Audi Field to M&T Bank Stadium, home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. The crowd of 72,026 not only set a new home attendance record for D.C. United but also exceeded the largest attendance recorded for an NFL game at the stadium. The previous high of 71,547 was set when the Ravens hosted the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Playoff on Jan. 15, 2012.
The crowd total also surpassed D.C. United’s previous home attendance record of 57,431, established during the club’s 1997 MLS Cup victory over the Colorado Rapids at RFK Stadium. The Baltimore turnout has become a top 10 standalone attendance record in Major League Soccer history.
“In recognition of this match, I am officially declaring March 7 as BMORE United Day in Baltimore, celebrating the fans, our communities, and the momentum building around soccer in Baltimore, D.C., and around the globe,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott. “With the World Cup on the horizon, there is no better time to bring Major League Soccer to our city – to Charm City.”
Lionel Messi Nears Historic Milestone of 900th Career Goal After Inter Miami’s 2-1 Victory Over D.C. United
After defeating D.C. United at M&T Bank Stadium, Inter Miami’s captain and forward is just one goal away from reaching his 900th career goal milestone. Messi, 38, scored his 899th official career goal on a pass from teammate Mateo Silvetti in front of a roaring Baltimore crowd.
The strike marked the Argentine forward’s third goal of the 2026 MLS season. With his next goal, Messi would become only the second male player to reach 900 career goals, joining longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
“In the end, it’s what I did my whole life…what I’m passionate about and what I like,” said Messi. “It’s playing soccer and competing. I don’t like to lose at all, and any time I go out on the field, I go in to win and try. I’m happy with how these years have gone. As long as I can and I feel good physically, I’m going to keep doing [it] the same way – [competing] to win and to always give my all.”
D.C. United will be back on the road, headed west to face off against the Chicago Fire FC on Saturday, March 14 at Soldier Field. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. and can be streamed on Apple TV.