DC United went up 2-0 on the road at Nashville SC. Silvan Hefti got himself sent off with two yellows. Nashville scored twice in 14 minutes. DC United held on for a 2-2 draw.
Ted called it the monkey’s paw. If you’d offered that result before kickoff, you’d have taken it. If you knew you were going to be 2-0 up before taking it, the conversation is very different.
Jon and Ted broke it all down on the latest RFK Refugees — the result, the red card, Louis Munteanu’s continued emergence, and what comes next with Chicago on Wednesday.
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The Game
DC United took the same approach that worked at NYCFC — defensive discipline, no big chances conceded, catch Nashville on the counter and set pieces. It worked, spectacularly, until it didn’t.
Louis Munteanu scored again, continuing a run of form that has both hosts quietly revising their assessments of the signing upward. His header — a smart run, good positioning, excellent service — was exactly the kind of goal you want from a player in his role. Sean Johnson faced 3.38 expected goals on target per Footmob and kept DC in it late with a crucial stop that saved the point.
Matti Peltola was steady as ever. Brandon Servania had another solid outing. The defensive structure held for 75 minutes.
The Hefti Red Card
Ted — who referees youth soccer on weekends — gave his full breakdown. The first yellow: debatable, but understandable from the referee’s perspective. Stopping a promising attack, Hefti doesn’t protest it which suggests he knew what he’d done. The second yellow: no debate. A needless foul from a player already on a booking. Ted’s verdict — Hefti has no one to blame but himself on the second one, regardless of whether the first was deserved.
Aaron Herrera
A poor performance off the bench after the red card — caught between two minds on the second Nashville goal, unable to clear. Both hosts noted he now gets 90 minutes at home against Chicago on Wednesday to show what he can do in his natural right back position. An opportunity to claw back some ground in the battle with Hefti.
Jackson Hopkins
Two clear chances in front of goal. Neither converted. Jon’s verdict: he is not a forward and should not be asked to be one. The sooner Tai Baribo is back and fit for extended minutes, the sooner Hopkins can return to the role where he actually excels.
Gabriel Pirani
Reports emerged during the Nashville game of a mutual contract termination being agreed between Pirani and DC United. Jon was not surprised. After weeks of public callouts from Renée Weiler, keeping him around the squad was serving no one. Both hosts expect him to catch on elsewhere — he has enough ability to contribute from the bench for another club in a role better suited to his strengths.
Andy Najar
Four chances created. 114 touches — most of any player on the field. Still, at 33, making DC United’s defenders look foolish. Ted called him the greatest DC United academy product ever produced. Jon noted they had him twice. It still stings.
Washington Spirit
A tough night in Seattle. Sandy McIver had a difficult game in goal — not her best — and the Spirit lost. Claudia Martinez scored, which is now becoming a regular occurrence. Trinity Rodman picked up an ankle issue late but was seen walking without a boot or crutches post-match, which both hosts took as an encouraging sign. The Spirit stay out West for their next game and should get Rodman back carefully rather than rushing her.
Chicago on Wednesday
Both hosts want seven points minimum from the next three games — Chicago at home, St. Louis at home, Montreal at home. Chicago is the only genuine test. Win that one and the conversation around this team changes significantly.
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RFK Refugees is a DC United and Washington Spirit podcast hosted by Jon Hoffman and Ted Meyer.