Union Drop Six on D.C., Stay Top of the Table

by: Michael Sanders

WASHINGTON, D.C. — It didn’t matter who was missing or how the lineup looked on paper. The Union showed up at Audi Field with purpose, and when the whistle blew, they left no doubt. Behind a brace from Indiana Vassilev and big-time contributions from Mikael Uhre, Milan Iloski, and Bruno Damiani, Philadelphia stormed past D.C. United 6-0, staying on top of the table with two matches left in the regular season.

Head Coach Bradley Carnell rolled out his 27th different starting XI of the year with Tai Baribo suspended and Frankie Westfield away on international duty. The depth test came early when Quinn Sullivan exited in the 13th minute, but the Union didn’t blink.

Just four minutes later, Iloski sparked a counter, threading Uhre through on the left. The Dane squared a pass across goal, where Damiani tapped home the opener. D.C. nearly responded, hitting the post and crossbar twice in a five-minute span, but Philly made them pay for every miss. In the 34th minute, a deflected shot from Uhre found the net to double the lead.

Three minutes later, it was 3-0. Vassilev and Iloski worked a slick one-two in the box, and Vassilev pounced on the rebound for his first of the night.

The second half was all dominance. Iloski buried a screamer from distance in the 49th, then linked with Uhre again two minutes later to set up Vassilev’s brace. By the 62nd, Uhre had his name officially on the scoresheet, capping off the Union’s best attacking display of 2025.

From there, Carnell emptied the bench. Jesus Bueno, Jeremy Rafanello, Ben Bender, and Olivier Mbaizo came in to close it down, while Andre Blake and the backline held firm for another clean sheet.

Three Things That Hit Different:

• Gamechanger Energy: Uhre transformed Philly’s attack the moment he stepped in. His movement, his delivery, his finishing — everything clicked.

• Milestone Mania: This was the Union’s largest win of 2025, their eighth road victory (a club record), and their 19th overall, tying the franchise mark.

• Worth Repeating: When depth gets tested, Philly delivers. Iloski, Damiani, and Vassilev showed exactly why this team’s attack runs deeper than anyone else’s in MLS.

Final: Philadelphia Union 6, D.C. United 0

Takeaway: The Union looked unstoppable — clinical, confident, and complete. With two matches left, they’re not just protecting the top spot. They’re setting a tone for what’s coming next.