Yamil Asad joined the D.C. United roster in February 2018 after the Black-and-Red acquired his MLS rights from Atlanta United and agreed to an initial loan with an option to buy from his Argentine club Velez Sarsfield. The Black-and-Red hoped Asad's addition would be a step in the right direction to revamping a United attack that struggled to produce throughout the 2017 campaign. In his first season in the District, the midfielder helped United build one of the most dangerous, multi-dimensional attacks in the league, pairing with D.C.'s young core of offensive weapons to contribute nine goals and eight assists.
Throughout the season, Asad continued the firepower that he first showed in Atlanta. He was one of United’s primary goal-scorers before Luciano Acosta and Wayne Rooney exploded in the second half of the season, and after returning from injury in September, continued to help the Black-and-Red produce in the final third, tallying three more assists before the conclusion of the regular season. Asad's eight assists tied him with Paul Arriola for the second-most on the team, and his nine goals made him United's fourth-leading scorer on the year.
Asad is remembered in Atlanta for scoring the first-ever goal in the expansion club's history, but the Argentine also managed to ink his name in United's history books in his first season in D.C. The midfielder kicked off his 2018 campaign by scoring the Black-and-Red's first goal of the season, a well-placed free kick against Orlando at Orlando City Stadium in the sides' season opener in March. Asad then scored one of the most memorable goals of the season, and of United's history, on July 14—the first-ever goal of the Audi Field era. After making a trailing run to the top of the box and receiving a ball across, Asad sent a perfect strike into the upper right corner, christening United's new home on its opening night and netting the first of many goals of Audi Field's inaugural season.
A new fan favorite in the District, Black-and-Red supporters hope Asad will have the opportunity to remain in the city and with the club for seasons to come. Asad broke his 2017 scoring tally in fewer games played in 2018, and developed exciting on-field chemistry with Acosta and Arriola in particular. A key component to United's transformation from offensive inconsistency to one of the league's most fiery attacks, Asad will again look to raise the bar in 2019 and send the Black-and-Red back to the postseason.
