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MLS: Playoff Power Rankings

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 25: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC celebrates his goal during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Los Angeles Galaxy at the Banc of California Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 25: Carlos Vela #10 of Los Angeles FC celebrates his goal during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Los Angeles Galaxy at the Banc of California Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 04: D.C. United forward Wayne Rooney (9) with goalkeeper Bill Hamid (24) at the end of a MLS match between D.C United and Columbus Crew SC, on May 04, 2019, at Audi Field, in Washington, D.C.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 04: D.C. United forward Wayne Rooney (9) with goalkeeper Bill Hamid (24) at the end of a MLS match between D.C United and Columbus Crew SC, on May 04, 2019, at Audi Field, in Washington, D.C.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

12. D.C. United

D.C. United had the perfect opportunity to hand themselves an easy start to playoff life. Playing FC Cincinnati at home on Decision Day, all they needed was a victory to ensure home-field advantage in the first round. Cue an utterly criminal 0-0 draw. Now they face a trip to Toronto FC instead.

And that sums up the 2019 season for D.C. United. Entering the year with such hope for what was to come, their big names have underwhelmed, the defence has been inconsistent, if at times terrific, and they ended the season with just 42 goals scored, the fewest of all playoff teams. That does not bode well for the postseason.

Most concerningly, Wayne Rooney has been poor. Just five open-play goals and three open-play assists all season, while his delivery from set-pieces has been superb, his overall impact has waned. Rooney has the quality and calibre to turn it on when it matters most, and with his impending departure, he might just do that here, but his form is worrying, as is D.C.’s.

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