Football Season Guide

MLS

USA

MLS

2019

DC United

In

Lucas Rodriguez (mid)(Estudiantes - on loan), Leonardo Jara (def)(Boca Juniors - on loan), Chris McCann (mid)(Atlanta United), Antonio Bustamante (att)(free), Donovan Pines (def)(free), Akeem Ward (def)(free), Earl Edwards Jr (gk)(Orlando City), Chris Seitz (gk)(Houston Dynamo), Bill Hamid (gk)(Midtjylland - on loan),

Out

Nick DeLeon (r)(def)(Toronto), Darren Mattocks (sp)(att)(Cincinnati), Kofi Opare (r)(def)(free), Yamil Asad (r)(att)(Velez Sarsfield - end of loan), Ian Harkes (sp)(mid)(Dundee United), Patrick Mullins (r)(att)(Columbus Crew), Kevin Ellis (def)(free), Dane Kelly (sp)(att)(Indy Eleven), Vytautas Andriuskevicius (sp)(def)(free), Jared Jeffrey (sp)(mid)(free), Travis Worra (sp)(gk)(free), Davis Ousted (sp)(gk)(Chicago Fire), Steve Clark (sp)(gk)(Portland Timbers), Taylor Kemp (sp)(def)(retired), Bruno Miranda (r)(mid)(Universitad B - end of loan)

DC United's 2018 was a tale of two parts. The opening of Audi Field sparked a revival that saw the club become inspired by Wayne Rooney who bagged 20 goals in 12 games to shoot them into the playoffs, before bowing out Columbus. Now, they head into the new season as expectant as they have been for several years. They've been able to recruit the highly-talented Lucas Rodriguez and Leonardo Jara. Big things are expected of them, with veteran Chris McCann another shrewd acquisition. DC, however, are desperately needing an upgrade on Frederic Brilliant to partner Steve Bimbaum. That's the biggest area of concern heading into the campaign, as well as whether Rodriguez can compensate for Yamil Asad's departure. Fortunately, so many of DC United's main players are back for the upcoming season. But the main onus of responsibility will fall on Rooney once again. He'll be the focal point all season, and his relationship with Rodriguez could be the catalyst of United's season. There are some questionable gaps in the squad that haven't convincingly been filled yet. The likes of Ian Harkes, Nick DeLeon, and Kofi Opare played plenty of games last season. However, youngsters Donovan Pines, Akeem Ward, and Antonio Bustamante will be tasked with giving DC some promising young blood.

Target

The target will simply be to continue their progression and to keep going in the right direction. Therefore, another playoff position has to be considered a success this term.