Steven Birnbaum made his 150th regular season appearance for D.C. United during the 2-2 draw against New England Revolution on July 12. Since coming into the league, Birnbaum has rarely missed a game and has started the last 55 regular season matches for the Black-and-Red. In the starting lineup week in and week out, Birnbaum has become one of the most integral central defenders in MLS and has shown his ability to shutdown opposing strikers with his timely tackles and aerial dominance.
While playing in college at the University of California, Berkeley, Birnbaum earned a handful of honors including First Team All-American, All Pac-12, while being a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy, which is given to the best college soccer player in the country. After being selected second overall in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, Birnbaum was thrown into the starting lineup after former D.C. United player Jeff Parke went down with an injury. The rookie went on to start the remaining 21 games of the season on his way to becoming a finalist for Rookie of the Year.
Birnbaum followed up his impressive rookie season with another 21 starts in 2015. The center back notched his first career MLS goal that season when he volleyed in a corner kick against Toronto FC on June 6, 2015.
2016 saw Birnbaum record career-highs in goals (3) and assists (2) as he emerged as a dangerous attacking piece for the Black-and-Red offense. Following a string of dominant defensive performances, Birnbaum was selected to his first MLS All-Star Game and was later handed his first USMNT appearance.
Despite the Black-and-Red not qualifying for playoffs in 2017, Birnbaum was a main cog in the defense again after making 26 appearances and leading the team in clearances and interceptions.
The following year, Birnbaum was a major part of the team’s fight from last place to playoff qualification as D.C. United opened their brand new stadium at Audi Field and welcomed international soccer icon Wayne Rooney to the locker room. Birnbaum started all 34 games and played every minute (3,060) of the 2018 regular season setting new club records for both categories. Birnbaum also led the league in clearances with 211, and in aerials won with 166 as he proved to be one of the most difficult defenders for opposing players to face. The 28-year-old defender helped the Black-and-Red reach the playoffs for the fourth time in his fifth full season.
In 2019 Birnbaum has continued his consecutive game streak, starting every match for the Black-and-Red through 21 MLS matches. D.C. United are currently in second place in the Eastern Conference and Birnbaum has contributed one goal and one assist, while leading United’s backline to a league-high eight clean sheets. Birnbaum has proven to D.C. United fans and the coaching staff, that his name should be one of the first on the lineup sheet each week and supporters can look forward to his continued contributions to the club both on and off the field.
