Football Season Guide

DC United would make the playoffs last season, however, they would be knocked out after the first half in what was a disappointing end to the season. Ben Olsen will however be hoping his side can replicate their end of season run prior to the playoffs in which they lost just 2 of their final 14 games. DC are always a solid Major League Soccer performer and will often find themselves in and around the playoffs come the end of the year. United haven’t really made too many changes to their squad in the off-season with a few players joining and departing. The signing of Luciano Acosta to a permanent deal after his loan spell last season could prove to be key for them, with the Argentinean midfielder proving to be an important player. The fact that United have also managed to hang onto key central defender, Steve Birnbaum, is also a big win for them, especially considering the many rumours circulating at the end of last season regarding his potential departure. José Guillermo Ortiz, a Costa Rican centre forward, could prove to be a good signing for the black and red, maybe even serving as a replacement for last season’s departees, Fabian Espindola and Alvaro Saborio. Young signing Ian Harkes, son of former United States captain John Harkes, could also turn out to be an exciting young addition to the squad. A difficult away trip to the Philadelphia Union awaits Ben Olsen’s men on the first week of the season. Considering that they only managed to win 2 away games during the whole of the 2016 campaign, they will need to improve if they want to achieve any considerable success.