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MLS stock report and preview: Eastern Conference

By Joshua Bowers

HARRISON, NEW JERSEY- October 28: Sean Davis #27 of New York Red Bulls, Alex Muyl #19 of New York Red Bulls and Aaron Long #33 of New York Red Bulls celebrate with tame mates after the team won the Supports Shield during the New York Red Bulls Vs Orlando City MLS regular season game at Red Bull Arena on October 28, 2018 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Tim Clayton for the New York Red Bulls)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY- October 28: Sean Davis #27 of New York Red Bulls, Alex Muyl #19 of New York Red Bulls and Aaron Long #33 of New York Red Bulls celebrate with tame mates after the team won the Supports Shield during the New York Red Bulls Vs Orlando City MLS regular season game at Red Bull Arena on October 28, 2018 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Tim Clayton for the New York Red Bulls) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 19: D.C. United forward Wayne Rooney (9) winds up for a free kick during a MLS match between D.C. United and the New England Revolution, on August 19, 2018, at Audi Field, in Washington D.C.D.C. United defeated the New England Revolution 2-0.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 19: D.C. United forward Wayne Rooney (9) winds up for a free kick during a MLS match between D.C. United and the New England Revolution, on August 19, 2018, at Audi Field, in Washington D.C.D.C. United defeated the New England Revolution 2-0.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

D.C. United — 51 pts

Stock Up

Key Additions: M L.Rodriguez, D L.Jara

Key Losses: D N.DeLeon, M Y.Asad, F D.Mattocks, D K.Opare

D.C. United came back in a big way last season. They grew stronger as the season wore on. That was partly due to a back-loaded home schedule on account of opening Audi Field in the middle of the season. However, that revolution must also be attributed to the arrival of Wayne Rooney. D.C. United won their last five matches to finish fourth in the East and Rooney played a key part.

D.C. United will benefit from a full season of Rooney. They also kept Luciano Acosta who is another all-league player, although there is a good chance he moves away in the summer.

D.C. United did lose several important players: Nick DeLeon, Yamil Asad, and Darren Mattocks. Mattocks was a solid goalscorer, though his role was greatly diminished once Rooney came on board, Asad was a regular starter last year, and was one of the team’s best players, scoring nine goals with five assists, and, while DeLeon only played in 16 games, he has been D.C. United’s best right-back option the last couple years.

D.C. United have done a great job replacing those players though. Lucas Rodriguez comes in from Estudiantes and has the potential to be even better than Asad. Leonardo Jara is another upgrade over at right-back — he should be the team’s best right-back since Andy Najar.

D.C. should be dangerous going forward with a front-four of Rooney, Acosta, Rodriguez, and Paul Arriola. The central midfield is above-average with youngsters Russell Canouse and Chris Durkin pairing together. There is also depth in the middle of the pitch. On defense, D.C. would have benefited from bringing in a center-back to replace Frederic Brillant, but there is still time. Despite the defense looking grotesque on paper last season, they only gave up 50 goals. D.C. have depth everywhere but in the back.

D.C. United had a terrific second half of last season and that is the team we are getting at the start of this season. So, it makes sense that they will finish with more points than last year.

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