D.C. United’s four-game undefeated streak didn’t reveal much about their potential this season, mainly due to weak opponents and a favorable home schedule.

However, Saturday’s trip to central Florida finally offered a challenging competition. A comfortable start for Inter Miami CF quickly turned into a 4-1 defeat against Orlando City, highlighting significant shortcomings in their squad.
Following a five-goal defeat in Orlando the previous season, United (1-1-3) allowed three goals within twelve minutes encompassing halftime. The score accurately reflected Orlando’s (2-2-1) dominance over United, as they capitalized on counter-attacks, errors, and a set piece.
Aiming for their first 19-year unbeaten run spanning five games, Troy Lesesne’s team remained scoreless until late, emphasizing their need for a second high-caliber player to support Benteke.
Lesesne’s starting center-back, Kye Rowles was absent; he’s with the Australian national team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Reserve midfielder Matti Peltola was absent due to Finland’s qualifiers against Malta and Lithuania.
The starting right back, Aaron Herrera, would miss the trip because he was scheduled to play in Guatemala’s Gold Cup qualifiers. However, his decision to opt out put him in Washington, D.C. lineup. Stepping in for Rowles was Lukas MacNaughton, obtained from Nashville during the offseason.
Orlando’s starting goalkeeper, Pedro Gallese, was unavailable due to the international break for Peru’s World Cup qualifiers. Javier Otero, age 22, began his first MLS match as a substitute.
United’s first half was primarily defensive, even though Herrera initially challenged the 6’6″ Venezuelan player.
United’s Boris Enow’s failure to clear the ball near the penalty area in the 44th minute resulted in a doubled lead. Martín Ojeda scored an 18-yard goal after receiving a pass from Iván Angulo, the shot deflecting off Herrera, leaving the goalkeeper helpless.
United’s second half was a disaster. Twenty-year-old right back Freeman, leveraging a five-inch height advantage over Enow, headed in Ojeda’s close-range free kick in the 50th minute.
With minimal resistance, Orlando countered six minutes later; Marco Pasalic then unleashed a magnificent 23-yard strike into the top far corner.
MacNaughton headed in a goal from close range during stoppage time after Orlando had missed numerous opportunities, even hitting the woodwork.
The Columbus Crew (2-0-3), a top MLS team for the past three seasons, will be United’s next home opponent this Saturday.