The 2018 MLS season will kick off on March 3 with D.C. United hitting the road for a slate of away matches before moving into their new state-of-the-art and soccer-specific stadium at Audi Field this July. Playing on the road in Major League Soccer has always been a difficult task for clubs and the season-opening road trip will be a new test for the Black-and-Red. As the team prepares for the challenge, here are four road games that are worth circling on your calendar.
Atlanta United FC vs. D.C. United
Sunday, March 11, 3 PM ET
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
United open their 2018 season against Orlando on March 3 then travel to Georgia to face Atlanta United FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the first time in club history on March 11 at 3 PM ET. In Atlanta's inaugural season, the Five Stripes made an immediate impression on MLS with their powerhouse offense while breaking several attendance records along the way. Despite the torment Atlanta inflicted on other teams' defenses, United and Ben Olsen stifled the expansion team's attacking unit led by Miguel Almirón, Josef Martinez and Hector Villalba.
United went 3-0-0 against Atlanta and outscored their new Eastern Conference opponent 6-2. In the first meeting between the teams, the Black-and-Red beat Atlanta 3-1 in front of 46,011 fans at Bobby Dodd Stadium on April 30. Tito Martino and his team then traveled up to the nation's capital and lost to United 2-1 on June 21 and 1-0 on Aug. 23.
The Black-and-Red will be eager to maintain their perfect record against Atlanta and their new USMNT signing Darlington Nagbe who made the move from Portland in the offseason. United will hope that their second road trip to Georgia will end with the same outcome as their match at Bobby Dodd Stadium in 2017.
Toronto FC vs. D.C. United
Saturday, April 7, 7:30 PM ET
BMO Field
Ben Olsen will be treating the early trip to Toronto as an opportunity to test his team's ability against the reigning MLS Cup champions. Toronto FC was dominant in Major League Soccer last season and the performances of Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley paved the way for the first Canadian club to win an MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield. On April 7, the defending champions will face a revamped United squad who will look to make an early statement in the standings with an away win.
Last year, United battled the eventual champions to a 0-1-1 record in a home and road fixture. In their last meeting on Aug. 5, the Black-and-Red earned a point thanks to an early goal from defender Kofi Opare. After Toronto equalized, United earned a point in the fixture with stout defending after midfielder Lloyd Sam was sent off in the 44th minute. The last time United beat Toronto at BMO Field was on Oct. 1, 2016, in a 2-1 come-from-behind win. Jozy Altidore scored the opening goal in the 36th minute but a Lamar Neagle brace led the Black-and-Red to an important away win.
United will look to put a stamp on their season with an early road win against the 2017 MLS Cup champions who will be pushing to defend their title.
LAFC vs. D.C. United
Monday, May 28, 8 PM ET
Banc of California Stadium
Before the Black-and-Red can move into their new stadium at Audi Field, they travel to Southern California on May 28 to play Major League Soccer's 2018 expansion team, Los Angeles FC, at the brand new Banc of California Stadium. History favors United with the Black-and-Red accumulating a 22-10-3 record against expansion teams in their inaugural MLS seasons.
LAFC have been busy in the offseason as they continue to build their roster in preparation for the new season. Former USMNT head coach Bob Bradley has assembled an impressive squad and he will be eager to be back in Major League Soccer after a 10-year hiatus. Proven Mexican forward Carlos Vela will be itching to start his soccer career in the United States while Laurent Ciman, Benny Feilhaber, Latif Blessing and Walker Zimmerman will provide important MLS experience for the new team.
The new boys in Los Angeles have a point to prove and United will have to be at their best to play the strong LAFC lineup at their brand new stadium.
Seattle Sounders vs. D.C. United
Saturday, June 9 10 PM ET
CenturyLink Field
In the final highlighted match, United will look for redemption after a tough-to-swallow 4-3 loss against Seattle last season. The seven-goal game saw United go 3-0 up against the 2016 MLS Cup champions, but a four-goal swing in the second half saw Seattle steal three points from under the nose of the Black-and-Red.
With a two week World Cup break following the match, United will hope to capitalize on the fixture and head into the recess with an important three points. The last time the Black-and-Red beat Seattle at CenturyLink Field was in a dramatic 3-2 win on June 10, 2010. A brace by former player Chris Pontius and a late goal by Adam Cristman was enough to secure the win for United that year.
Olsen will need to have his team firing on all cylinders to compete against a strong side that's trying to overcome their 2017 MLS Cup disappointment.
