D.C. United’s 2-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday night turned swiftly and severely, from a deficit at even strength to a tied match with a man advantage and, before long, a lead that would hold up through an uncomfortable second half.
Washington, D.C
D.C. United holds on tight to hold off shorthanded Sounders in 2-1 win
United (3-3-4) ended a three-game winless streak (0-2-1) and won for just the second time since opening day.
It did not come easily. Despite playing a man up for more than 60 minutes, United performed as if it were the shorthanded team. The Sounders applied enormous pressure in the second half and threatened to sneak out with a point. Alex Bono’s sensational save in the 88th minute preserved the victory.
“We could have managed the game much better,” said Benteke, whose eight goals are one behind MLS leader Lionel Messi. “This is a part of the game where we have to improve, to complete our game and to manage the game.”
After a subpar performance at New York City FC last weekend, United had reason for optimism Saturday. Right back Aaron Herrera and midfielder Mateusz Klich returned from yellow-card suspensions, and rookie forward Jacob Murrell, a first-round draft pick from Georgetown, made his first start after five quality appearances as a sub.
United answered Coach Troy Lesesne’s call for a better start than its slumber in New York, playing with purpose and passion. Opportunities, though, were unfulfilled before and after Seattle’s icebreaker.
In the 14th minute, at the end of a long possession that began in Seattle’s end, Jordan Morris crossed to Léo Chú for an uncontested header past Bono.
“Even though we give up the early goal,” Lesesne said, “I still feel like we were pushing the game in the right way.”
The game flipped dramatically when Jared Stroud got behind defender Cody Baker on Christopher McVey’s long ball and was taken down by Frei. Not only did United receive a penalty kick — Benteke converted easily — but Frei was sent off. Andrew Thomas, who started three matches for the injured Frei early this season, entered. With the Sounders (1-5-3) needing to remove an outfield player, Chú was sacrificed.
United took advantage in the 45th minute. Herrera crossed to the back side of the six-yard box. Positioned behind 5-foot-8 Cristian Roldan, the 6-3 Benteke won the aerial battle as if no one was there and powered a six-yard header over the leaping Thomas.
For a team playing with an extra man, United conceded too much space and possession early in the second half, leading to some anxious moments.
“It just was kind of a choppy game,” Lesesne said. “A lot of set pieces, too many fouls from us. That breaks up the rhythm. So that’s something we have to be aware of. We want to be aggressive, but we don’t want to create fouls that slow the game down and then allow them to put balls in our box that are really dangerous.”
Benteke threatened to complete a hat trick in the 59th minute with a booming side volley that skipped over the crossbar, but United continued to struggle keeping possession. João Paulo hit the near post. Martín Rodríguez’s timely tackle in the box prevented Seattle’s Raúl Ruidíaz from shooting deep in the box.
In the waning moments, Bono extended himself to his left to touch aside Albert Rusnak’s header and Cristian Roldan failed to make solid contact inside the six-yard box.
“He’s been phenomenal all year,” center back Lucas Bartlett said of Bono. “We love the relationship we have built. We trust him, and he trusts us.”
The end of six minutes of stoppage time brought relief to the antsy crowd and to a D.C. squad that was clinging desperately to three points.
Here’s what else to know about United’s victory:
During the pregame team photo, players held up Russell Canouse’s No. 6 uniform — a show of support for the 28-year-old midfielder, who is expected to miss the season after having his colon removed last month.
When the sixth minute passed, fans in the supporters’ groups held up small “6” posts and unfurled a banner that read: “Husband. Father. Fighter. 6 Get Well Soon Russell.”
Captain Steven Birnbaum was in uniform for the first time this season — his 11th with the club — after undergoing knee surgery in February. Still about a week from being fully ready, the center back did not play.
Forward Ted Ku-DiPietro (adductor) and defender Conner Antley (calf) remain sidelined. Lesesne said they would need to make “a lot of progress” to return next week against visiting Philadelphia.
With Tyler Miller (25 starts in 2023) back from last fall’s shoulder surgery, Luis Zamudio will go on loan to a team in the second-flight USL Championship. Miller’s return will “create competition [for the starting job], and that’s a good thing,” Lesesne said.
4 things to know about the weather:
- Grab the umbrella
- Big temperature ranges
- Thunder possible Thursday night
- Warmer days on the way
Heads up commuters! For Thursday morning, there will be some thick fog in spots with some rain possible, especially around the Mason-Dixon line. The fog should clear out by 10 a.m.
Throughout the day, some sunshine should develop with highs warming into the low 60s. Those in Northern Maryland could see some showers throughout the day but those near the D.C. area will stay relatively dry except for a stray shower or two.
Some rain and evening storms by 8 p.m. will impact the area Thursday night. Although it’s a bit unusual for this time of year, don’t be surprised if you hear thunder Thursday evening.
Warmer temperatures coming this weekend
These next few days will come with some major forecast challenges.
Much, much warmer air is just to our south and cold, high pressure is moving into New England. The front separating the 40s from the 70s will be laying right across our region for the next two to three days.
So keep in mind, when you’re looking at the forecast highs in the text below, that it will be warmest in Fredericksburg, VA and coolest in northern Maryland.
Friday’s weather will be similar as a front system remains just over the area, separating chilly air to the north and warmer air to the south. There might be a stray shower or two, too.
For the weekend, Saturday looks to be the warmer of the two days with highs in the low to mid 70s. Some rain overnight Saturday will lead to cooler temperatures on Sunday.
Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.
QuickCast
THURSDAY:
Mostly Cloudy
Stray Shower Possible
Big Temperature Range
Wind: Southeast 5 mph
Chance of Rain: 40%
HIGHS: 62° to 72°
THURSDAY NIGHT:
Cloudy And Chilly
Rain Likely
Some Thunder Possible
Wind: Northeast 5 mph
Chance Of Rain: 70%
LOWS: 44° to 54°
FRIDAY:
Mostly Cloudy
Cooler For Most
Isolated Shower Or Two
Wind: East 5-15 mph
Chance of Rain: 20%
HIGHS: 52° to 68°
SATURDAY:
Partly Sunny
Breezy And Warmer
Isolated Shower
Wind: Southwest 10-20 mph
Chance of Rain: 20%
HIGHS: 66° to 78°
SUNDAY:
Mostly Cloudy
Cooler
Few Showers Possible
Wind: Northwest 5-15 mph
Chance of Rain: 20%
HIGHS: 64° to 72°
Sunrise: 6:35 Sunset: 6:05
Average High: 53° Average Low: 36°
Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.
WASHINGTON (7News) — D.C. taxpayers may be confused by back-and-forth between the D.C. City Council and Congress over taxprovision. The city’s financial officer sent a letter to Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson, that said the District’s tax laws will not change, despite recent actions by Congress.
7News spoke to director of Tax Policy at the Center for American Progress Corey Husak to explain the complicated tax policy.
“The short answer is, nothing changes. Filing Season can continue as it has been, continue as planned, and according to the laws as we understood them in January,” said Husak.
“If you’ve already filed your taxes, you don’t have to change anything. And if you want to file your taxes, the rules are still the same as they were on the books before,” said Husak.
RELATED | DC Council Chairman talks taxes, budget, bodycams, federal surge
Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee’s revenue estimate issued Friday does not include an estimated $180 million expected this fiscal year from the city’s decoupling law, “due to the uncertainty of the associated revenue as a result of Joint Resolution 142,” according to a released letter.
“The CFO was in a tough spot here. If he agreed with Congress, then businesses and overtime workers will get bigger refunds. But if he agreed with the Mayor and the Attorney General, then families with children and lower income workers would get bigger tax cuts,” said Husak.
SEE MORE | Development of new Commanders stadium scrutinized at DC oversight hearing
“We as District residents can’t control, you know what happens in the courts, what happens in, you know, what Congress does in the future,” said Husak. “But for now, the CFO has said, you know this is, this is a law as it stands, and the law that I’m going to enforce so, you know, file your legally obligated taxes, and maybe in the future, there’ll be a surprise.”
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW
7News spoke to director of Tax Policy at the Center for American Progress Corey Husak to explain the complicated tax policy (7News).{ }
WASHINGTON (7News) — The nation’s capital is just about ready to be transformed into a breathtaking pastel landscape of cherry trees in bloom. The famed blossoms around the Tidal Basin are not only a symbol of spring’s arrival, but also of a long-standing friendship — a gift of more than 3,000 trees from Tokyo, Japan, to the United States in 1912.
So what is considered “Peak Bloom”?
The National Park Service (NPS) defines peak bloom as the time when at least 70% of the Yoshino cherry trees around the Tidal Basin have opened their blossoms. This is the period when the blossoms appear most full and spectacular and most ideal for photos, and soaking up spring’s beauty here in DC.
Because cherry trees respond to the cumulative effects of winter and spring weather, especially daily temperatures, it’s very difficult to predict peak bloom more than about 10 days in advance. Warm spells accelerate blooming; cold snaps slow it down.
Average Timing — What History Shows
Since 1921 overall, national data indicate peak bloom typically fell around early April (April 4), based on historical averages.
Average date peak bloom – cherry blossom trees Washington DC Tidal Basin
Since 1990, the average has kept shifting earlier and earlier. In fact, the last 6 years our peak has occurred in late March.
These shifts reflect how warmer springs have nudged peak bloom earlier over the decades.
Earliest & Latest Blooms on Record
Earliest peak bloom: March 15 — recorded in 1990.
Latest peak bloom: April 18 — recorded in 1958.
Of course, most years fall between those dates, with the last week of March to the first week of April historically being the most consistent window for peak bloom.
Earliest Peak Bloom Washington DC
Recent peak blooms show how variable and climate-dependent the timing can be:
2025: The National Park Service predicted peak bloom between March 28–31 (and confirmed the official peak around March 28).
2024: Peak bloom arrived very early, on March 17, several days ahead of NPS projections — tied for one of the earliest peaks in decades.
These examples demonstrate not only how much each season can differ, but also a trend toward earlier spring blossoms in recent years.
What to Expect for Spring 2026
As of early March 2026, the cherry trees are still dormant. The buds haven’t begun significant growth yet. The weather will become more critical in the weeks leading up to the bloom will be the biggest factor in determining when peak bloom happens in 2026.
Heavy winter cold, as experienced this year, tends to delay bloom compared with recent early springs. In contrast, an early warm stretch could push peak bloom earlier — as long as it doesn’t come with subsequent frost.
Look for the green bud stage first. This is when the buds are small, tight, and green, with no sign of petals yet. Trees are still several weeks from blooming.
Tips for Cherry Blossom Visitors
Plan in the “sweet spot” — peak bloom often lasts a few days to about a week, but weather (rain, wind, heat) can shorten that window.
Visit slightly before or after the predicted peak dates for smaller crowds and extended color. Blossoms can be gorgeous even before 70% bloom or as petals begin falling.
Check NPS updates and First Alert Weather forecasts in late March for tweaked peak bloom dates.
The cherry blossoms of Washington, D.C. remain one of the most iconic harbingers of spring in the U.S., and while exact bloom dates vary year-to-year, history and natural patterns point to late March through early April as your best bet for seeing the Tidal Basin in full floral glory.
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