A storm knocked out power across Fredericksburg and Stafford, pushed the show a day, and left Ted dog-sitting two very spooked in-laws’ dogs with no electricity till 2 AM. Somehow that set the perfect tone for a DC United draw against CF Montréal.
DC picked up a point on the road — their ninth draw of the season — in a game that probably should have been a loss if not for an extraordinary night from Sean Johnson. Jon and Ted break it all down.
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Nine Draws and Counting
A draw on the road is generally a point earned. The problem is that Montreal looked like a team DC should be beating, and for long stretches this was a game the visitors were never really threatening to win. The only goal DC conceded came from a penalty — a handball off Keisuke Kurokawa that was more unfortunate than negligent — but the shots against tell the real story. Against a more clinical opponent, this is a loss.
Still, three points clear of Orlando with games in hand. They’re in the playoff picture. Things are better than they were. The floor is higher. Jon said it, even if it hurt a little.
The Backline Setup
With Kye Rowles out injured and Lucas Bartlett suspended, Renée Weiler — or more accurately, goalkeeper coach Cody Meisell, who handled postgame duties in Weiler’s absence — had decisions to make at center back. The solution was Matti Peltola stepping in alongside Sean Nealis, with Nikola Markovic staying on the bench.
Ted’s read: Peltola was chosen because he offers something in possession — passing out of the back, ability to press forward — that Markovic doesn’t provide in the same way. The downside is that last-man defending isn’t Peltola’s strong suit, and over a full ninety that showed. It worked well enough, but it’s not a setup you’d want to run back in a bigger game.
Keisuke Kurokawa’s Rough Night
By Ted’s own admission, this might have been Keisuke Kurokawa’s worst performance in a DC United uniform. The handball PK was one of those where the ball found his hand rather than the other way around — not much he could do — but his service and decision making in the final third were well below his usual standard. One free kick delivery in particular had Jon calling it out in real time. He’s been an improvement on that left side across the season; this was an off night.
Hosei Kijima’s Debut
The new signing made his first appearance and delivered exactly what you’d expect from a debut — some rough moments, some promising ones, and enough to keep watching. The assist was well placed. His role going forward is worth tracking: in a game where DC were defending deep with a low percentage of possession, the question of where he fits best in a more dominant setup remains open. Jon noted he didn’t look like a natural burner winger — more of a player who operates centrally. How Weiler deploys him in games DC are expected to control will be the real test.
Jackson Hopkins: The Good, the Bad, and the Dive
Hopkins played on the left and showed the full range of what he is right now — excellent dribbler, strong first step, capable of creating space in ways that open things up for teammates. And then the final ball. Every time.
Ted’s framing: Hopkins on the left allowed him to cut inside naturally, while Kurokawa was supposed to provide width and overlap. When it worked, it was interesting. When it didn’t, it was a familiar story. The yellow card for a dive didn’t help.
Jon’s take: he’s 22, he’s been given opportunities by three different head coaches for a reason, and consistent coaching — something DC haven’t historically provided — might be exactly what gets him over the line. The tools are there. The decision making in the final third is the one thing standing between him and a move to Europe.
Sean Johnson: Eight Saves, Best of the Year
Eight saves. 2.2 goals prevented. A goals-against figure that should have been much higher. This was Sean Johnson at his best — not highlight-reel diving saves, but quick reflexes and positioning that made difficult stops look routine. He is the reason this is a draw and not a loss, and he continues to prove that DC got exactly what they signed him to be.
Ted raised the long-term question every fan is eventually going to have to sit with: goalkeepers age well, but they don’t age forever. For now though, he is exactly what this team needs, and the Grant Leveille pipeline means there’s a plan for what comes after.
The Remaining Schedule
It doesn’t get easier. DC have New England, then Charlotte away, then LAFC at home, then Cincinnati away, then Columbus at home, Atlanta United at home, and Charlotte at home to close things out. Jon’s note: the home games are mostly against teams lower in the table, but they’re also teams that are improving. Don’t sleep on any of them.
The Baltimore Stadium Deal
Still alive, technically. The bond funding didn’t get through the General Assembly this session, but Jon — whose professional work touches this area — is clear that it’s not dead. They’ll go back next year. Maryland losing a major NFL franchise adds political pressure to do something with that footprint. The MLS Next Pro Baltimore situation remains in a holding pattern alongside it.
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