D.C. United records its first shutout in almost a year but settles for a draw

Washington Post

16-03-2025

D.C. United's 0-0 draw with CF Montreal on Saturday night at Audi Field was hardly the performance or result Coach Troy Lesesne wanted, but amid the bland affair came a bright revelation: a shutout.
United had not held an opponent scoreless in almost a year, a span of 31 matches. Its previous clean sheet was also against Montreal and also at home.
Kim Joon Hong, a 21-year-old goalkeeper in his first MLS season, was not placed under a lot of pressure but managed the penalty area well, saw two threats hit the goal frame and received a solid defensive effort from his teammates. It was marked improvement for a team that conceded 70 goals in 34 games last season, third worst in the league and the second most in club history.
D.C.'s attack, though, did not click, failing to replicate the two-goal performances in each of its first three matches. The closest United (1-0-3) came was Christian Benteke's disallowed goal in the first half, the result of video replay.
Three of United's first four matches have been at home, yet it has earned just five of a possible nine points in those games.
The same D.C. lineup that produced a 2-1 victory over visiting Sporting Kansas City last weekend took the field against a Montreal team (0-3-1) playing the fourth of seven consecutive away matches to start the season until the weather warms in Quebec.
United was a little loose defensively in the first half. Montreal's Fabian Herbers was given ample space in the 13th minute for a 25-yard shot that hit the base of the left post. Moments later, United midfielder Boris Enow made a critical challenge to disrupt Jules-Anthony Vilsaint's 12-yard threat. Herbers's misfortune continued in the 26th minute, when his bid in transition skipped off the crossbar.
United — and the announced crowd of 16,133 — thought Benteke had shattered the deadlock a minute later, when he collected Jared Stroud's pass just inside the penalty area and slid the ball past goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois. But video replay showed Benteke pushing the ball with his right hand; after checking the monitor, referee Guido Gonzales Jr. annulled the goal.
United's Brazilians, João Peglow and Gabriel Pirani, combined in the box late in the half, but after Peglow's no-look flick set up his countryman, Pirani lifted it wide of the near corner.
Early in the second half, David Schnegg's lovely chip set up the sliding Stroud in the six-yard box, but Sirois made a fine block.
Lesesne made his first changes in the 60th minute, replacing Enow and Hosei Kijima with Matti Peltola and Brandon Servania. One of Peltola's first touches was a sizzler from distance that streaked over the crossbar. In the 73rd, Jacob Murrell took Pirani's place.
Montreal had a grand opportunity in the 75th minute with a free kick at the edge of the box, but Kim was well-positioned to block Bryce Duke's bid, then thwarted Montreal's second chance.
Lesesne's last moves came in the 83rd minute, with Fidel Barajas making his debut after arriving on loan from Chivas Guadalajara and newcomer Rida Zouhir making his second appearance.
Here's what else to know about United's draw:
Because MLS does not usually pause for international windows, Peltola and starters Kye Rowles and Aaron Herrera will miss next Saturday's match at Orlando City (1-2-1).
Rowles will join Australia for 2026 World Cup qualifiers vs. Indonesia on Thursday and at China on March 25. Herrera was summoned by Guatemala for a two-leg Concacaf Gold Cup playoff against Guyana on Friday and March 25. Peltola's Finland will visit Malta on Friday and Lithuania on March 24 for World Cup qualifiers.
Forward Kristian Fletcher, who is on loan to Nottingham Forest in England, was called up for U.S. under-20 friendlies against Mexico and Japan in Spain.
Midfielder Randall Leal (thigh) missed his third consecutive match, and backup striker Dominique Badji was ruled out with an undisclosed minor ailment. Midfielder Jackson Hopkins (ankle), rookie winger Hakim Karamoko (sports hernia) and defender Conner Antley (knee) continue to recover. Antley seems closest to returning. ...
Montreal was missing designated player Giacomo Vrioni (groin), who has yet to play this year, and captain Samuel Piette (hamstring), sidelined since the opener. U.S. national team prospect Jalen Neal (knee) remains out as well.