D.C. United: True contenders or mere pretenders?

D.C. United remain firmly entrenched in a battle as the MLS Cup Playoffs approach. As the season winds down, are they contenders or just pretenders?

D.C. United have endured a turbulent past couple of weeks. Following the announcement that star player, Wayne Rooney, will be returning to England at the end of the 2019 MLS season, United made a few notable moves in the dying days of the MLS summer transfer window. The Black and Red sit third in the Eastern Conference standings and remain true but underestimated contenders for a spot in the MLS Cup Finals, if they can regain the early season form.

ESPN recently announced that Daniel Sturridge was in talks to join D.C. United. While the prospects of Sturridge teaming up with Rooney as the playoffs commence is enticing, Steven Goff of The Washington Post said that such a move will not occur and in fact discussions ended last week. This could be the reason why D.C. United opted to sign striker Ola Kamara from Chinese Super League club, Shenzhen FC.

Regardless of whether the Sturridge move was to come to fruition, D.C. United must step up their performances against strong opposition. They had an inconsistent July and early August with losses to both Atlanta United and the Philadelphia Union by a combined score of 7-1. Yet, they dispatched the LA Galaxy just last weekend without Rooney in the lineup.

United have scored the lowest total number of goals of all current Eastern Conference playoff clubs. Their tally of 34 pales in comparison to the likes of the Philadelphia Union and Atlanta United who have 48 and 43 goals respectively. Rooney is far and away D.C. United’s highest goalscorer with 11, while Lucas Rodriguez, Luciano Acosta, and Paul Arriola all have five goals each. What is most troubling for D.C. United, however, is their inability to consistently create scoring opportunities. United rank 21st in MLS with 32 big chances created and are towards the bottom of the league in shots on target with 3.8 per match.

These worrisome offensive statistics have been mitigated by some impressive defensive performances. Those came earlier on in the season such as their back to back clean sheets against Atlanta United and New York City FC to start the 2019 campaign. Otherwise, D.C. United have been unable to capitalize offensively even when allowing only one or two goals. United have four goalless draws and three draws with the score ending 1-1.

Since May 12th, United have won only three matches while drawing seven — which is tied for the most in MLS — and lost four. Not exactly a record fitting for a playoff side. Thankfully for D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen, the strong start to the season has kept his side in the hunt for home-field advantage in the first round of the reformatted MLS Cup Playoffs.

D.C. have maintained the third spot in the Eastern Conference with New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls nipping at their heels, but this marginal advantage may not last, with both New York teams having games-in-hand on their Eastern counterpart and will jump above them with just one win each respectively. As a result, one loss could drop United back into fifth place and negatively impact their mentality knowing they are back in a tight battle to just remain in the playoffs.

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D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper was not about to sit idly by as their competitors gain ground. Instead, United added three players last week including two attacking players in Ola Kamara and Emmanuel Boateng. United also signed midfielder Felipe Martins, who can play both as a central attacking midfielder as well as in a defensive midfield role. When asked in an interview with Steven Goff about the challenge of working the new additions into the side, Kasper responded:

"“I believe we will be able to integrate the three new players into our group very quickly and see contributions immediately. It may take some time to gel and figure out what the best group is to move forward and the best system, but we believe we can accomplish that very quickly.”"

There was evidently a desire to bolster the attacking phase and, in the same interview, Kasper felt confident that the current backline is strong enough to carry them through the remainder of the season. Both Kamara and Boateng could prove pivotal to getting D.C. United back on track in the last eight games of the season, which include a few difficult tests.

Five of D.C. United’s eight remaining matches are against playoff sides. Olsen’s men will have tough challenges away against the Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, and the New York Red Bulls, and will also have to host the Red Bulls on August 21st and the Seattle Sounders on September 22nd. United will need all the firepower they can muster to secure not only home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs, but also a mere spot in the postseason.

WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 04: Wayne Rooney #9 of D.C. United reacts as he walks off the field after Philadelphia Union defeated D.C. United 5-1 at Audi Field on August 4, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

These final few weeks will be a true test for Olsen, who has been wildly successful in his nine-year tenure as D.C. United head coach. He must find a way to rapidly incorporate the new signings and revitalize the squad to finish the season strong. After being the youngest manager to reach 100 wins in the MLS earlier this season, a spot in the MLS Cup Finals for the first time since winning the trophy back in 2003 would go a long way to cementing his place as one of the best managers in the league.

The pressure is truly ramping up for D.C. United. Rooney’s time with the club is coming to an end and the signings made in the transfer window point towards an immediate, win-now mentality. Their remaining schedule is arduous at best. Yet, D.C. have the talent in the squad and the experience of Rooney to intensify their attacking prowess. United’s defense remains a strength both home and away, although there have been a few poor performances during the season.

If D.C. United can finish strong by winning the difficult matches ahead, the new single-elimination playoff format could give them a chance to contend against the likes of New York City FC, the Philadelphia Union, and the New York Red Bulls. Atlanta United, on the other hand, are playing on another level at this point in the season.