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The day is almost here for D.C. United. The Black-and-Red take up residence in their new home at Audi Field this season after more than 20 years of anticipation. On July 14, United will host Vancouver Whitecaps at Buzzard Point pitch in Washington D.C.
United gave a fractured farewell to their former home at the historic RFK Stadium last season, finishing just ahead of last place L.A. Galaxy in Major League Soccer. United quickly made sweeping efforts in the offseason to restructure the roster. Specifically, United looked to find depth in the midfield, veteran leadership on the backline and a proven goalscorer.
D.C. United travels to Orlando City for season opener
When: March 3, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Orlando City Stadium
Broadcast: TV — News Channel 8
Live stream: MLS Live
The buzz: D.C. United and Orlando City SC will both put forward a lineup of fresh faces due to a combination of offseason adjustments, injuries and suspensions.
Other key matches for United
Sunday, March 11 at Atlanta United – Atlanta United’s biggest acquisition, midfielder Ezequiel Barco, will miss 4-6 weeks due to a right quad strain. This could be a major three points for D.C. if they United can capitalize on a Barco-less Atlanta
Saturday, March 17 vs Houston Dynamo – D.C. United will play the first of two home games prior to the long-awaited Audi Field opening match. United host Houston Dynamo at Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland.
Check out the full 2018 schedule here.
Quotes & Notes
Open goal leaves keeper position up for grabs. In the offseason, United’s homegrown goalkeeper Bill Hamid chose not to renew his contract in order to pursue opportunities with Midtjylland in Denmark. United acquired veteran keepers Steve Clark and David Ousted to fill the empty roster spot.
“It has been a fun competition certainly to watch and homely for them,” coach Ben Olsen said. “They are going to push each other and make each other better.”
Oh Captain, My Captain? Olsen declined to name a captain during the week. United did not use the captain armband during preseason.
“We are asking for everyone to pitch in with the leadership. I don’t know where this captain tradition came from,” Olsen said. “It is a little overblown … We have enough guys who can contribute. I think we will be okay in the leadership department.”
Rough road ahead. United face a tough road challenge leading up to the opening of Audi Field, playing 12 of the first 14 games on the road.
“There are two ways to look at it. You can look at it as a daunting road trip,” Clark said. “Or you can also look at it as a chance to perform the first half of the year and have a great advantage in the second have of the year, which is when the league gets sorted out.”
New season, who’s this? On the first day of practice at RFK Stadium training fields, an unfamiliar team took the field.
United declined to exercise contract options for forward Deshorn Brown, midfielder Julian Buescher, defender Sean Franklin, goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky, defender Chris Korb, midfielder Lloyd Sam and midfielder Rob Vincent. Hamid, midfielder Patrick Nyarko and Marcelo Sarvas were out of contract and did not return. Midfielder Chris Rolfe retired.
“The biggest thing for us is that we have new guys on the team,” defender Steven Birnbaum said. “We are going to have to bond. You have to reach out to everyone on the team on and off the field and quickly get to know each others’ tendencies.”
Full list of offseason acquisitions
- Darren Mattocks, forward, acquired from Portland Timbers on Dec. 10, 2017
- Yamil Asad, midfielder, signed on loan for 2018 season with an option to buy on Feb 13, 2017
- Ulises Segura, midfielder, transferred from Deportivo Saprissa in Costa Rica on Dec. 21, 2017
- Junior Moreno, midfielder, transferred from Zulia FC in Venezuela on Jan. 2, 2018
- Oniel Fisher, defender, acquired from Seattle Sounders on Feb. 7, 2018
- Frederic Brillant, defender, acquired from NYCFC on Dec. 10, 2017
- David Ousted, goalkeeper, option declined by Vancouver Whitecaps, acquired by United on Jan. 8, 2018
- Chris Odoi-Atsem, defender, contract originally declined, but re-signed after a convincing preseason performance.
Current Roster
Forwards – Darren Mattocks, 27; Bruno Miranda, 20; Patrick Mullins, 26;
Midfielders – Luciano Acosta, 23;Yamil Asad, 22; Zoltan Stieber, 29;Ulises Segura, 24; Paul Arriola, 23; Russell Canouse, 22; Chris Durkin, 18; Ian Harkes, 22; Jared Jeffrey, 27; Junior Moreno, 24;
Defenders – Oniel Fisher, 26; Frederic Brillant, 32; Steven Birnbaum, 27; Nick DeLeon, 27; Taylor Kemp, 27; Jalen Robinson, 23; Kofi Opare, 27; Chris Odoi-Atsem, 22;
Goalkeepers – David Ousted, 33; Steve Clark, 31; Travis Worra, 24;
See full roster details here.
Opening Day Roster Predictions
Starting XI: Ousted; Fisher, Birnbaum, Brillant, DeLeon; Moreno, Asad, Stieber, Segura, Arriola; Mattocks
*Defender Kemp (hernia) and midfielder Canouse (LCL strain) will miss opening day due to injury. Mattocks (calf) is questionable.
**Acosta and Olsen will miss the first game of the season due to suspension carried over from the 2017 finale.