For the seventh straight season, D.C. missed out on the MLS Cup playoffs after a dismal start to the campaign under Troy Lesesne. By the time that Swiss coach Rene Weiler took charge in August, it was too late to reverse the situation.
Nevertheless, the Black and Red enjoyed a late-season boost thanks to Weiler, who opened his tenure with a 1-1 draw at Montreal, putting an end to a six-match losing streak. D.C. would follow that up with a 1-1 draw vs. Inter Miami, which confirmed that they would not be playing postseason soccer.
D.C. didn't wallow in this disappointment and instead prevailed with a 2-1 win at New York City FC, their first victory in three months, before facing off against Orlando at home. Despite falling to 10 men with 40 minutes left, D.C. managed to hold on for a 1-1 draw, before losing their next three.
“With René coming in, everybody is being looked at,” stated D.C. United's Conner Antley. “Everybody is being watched because he’s got a lot of decisions to make in the offseason. Every training session and game is different now, it’s a little bit of a trial. Everybody is trying to put their best foot forward these last few games, so I don’t think it’s necessarily the relaxation of being eliminated from the playoffs [that’s helping us], but the eagerness to show our new coach that, ‘I’m here, I’m ready to go next year, and I want to build on the foundation that you’re putting down here.’”
Despite conceding within three minutes in their season finale in Atlanta, D.C. managed to level proceedings in the 66th minute via Gabriel Pirani to secure yet another 1-1 draw under the Swiss manager. All things considered, it has been a positive start to life in the nation's capital for Weiler, but it is undeniable that he needs a stronger squad at his disposal.
Whilst D.C.'s local rivals like Charlotte, Philadelphia and New York City FC compete for the ultimate prize, the Black and Red will be watching from their sofas once again. Once the predominant champions of MLS' early years, they find themselves launguishing in constant malaise, finishing bottom of the MLS standings with 5 wins, 11 draws, and 18 losses and 26 points.
Can D.C. United finally turn around their situation in 2026 under Weiler? Stay tuned for what will certainly be a pivotal offseason.