D.C. United head into the 2018 MLS season with a vastly different look than they had at the beginning of 2017. The Black-and-Red transformed their roster over the offseason through a flurry of signings in the pursuit of a stronger 2018 campaign, and enter the season opener against Orlando City full of optimism.
The Black-and-Red weren’t the only ones busy over the winter, though. The Eastern Conference as a whole loaded up, each team fortifying their rosters in the hopes of taking down the reigning MLS Cup champs in Toronto, meaning United will face tough challenges nearly everywhere they go.
Here’s a look at how the Eastern Conference shapes up after a transformative offseason.
Toronto FC
The reigning MLS Cup champions could have followed the old “if it isn't broke, don’t fix it" rule, especially after a record-breaking season that ended in a league title. Instead, the Reds went out and added to an already imposing roster.
In the back, Toronto added Dutch international Gregory van der Wiel to solidify what was already one of the stingiest defenses in MLS. Meanwhile, the Reds also picked up 24-year-old Spanish attacking midfielder Ager Aketxe. As a product of the famed Athletic Bilbao system, Aketxe seems poised to add yet another dimension to Toronto’s attack.
New York City FC
NYCFC tinkered with their roster with their biggest splash coming with the signing of Paraguayan wonder Jesus Medina as a Young Designated Player. The 20-year-old midfielder was one of the more hyped young prospects that made the move to MLS this season, and NYC have high hopes that he can become a difference maker.
David Villa will still hold down the fort at striker for New York, but with the departure of Jack Harrison, Villa will likely have Jo Inge Berget behind him for depth instead.
Chicago Fire
Reigning MLS Golden Boot winner Nemanja Nikolic will remain a constant for the Fire in 2018, but the biggest change in Chicago actually comes from who left. The Fire traded David Accam in a draft day deal with the Philadelphia Union for $1.2 million in allocation money, sending away one of their more productive, if streaky, players.
Replacing Accam will be Serbian winger Aleksander Katai, a veteran goal scorer in Europe with Champions League experience. Joining him will be Wake Forest standout Jon Bakero, who the Fire drafted with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.
Despite losing Accam, the Fire will still be headlined by German superstar Bastian Schweinsteiger, whom they signed last March, and will hope to push Chicago toward the top of the Eastern Conference standings again.
Atlanta United
The east's other United impressed in their MLS debut season, with the exception of their 0-3 record against the original United in 2017.
Now in 2018, the Five Stripes are hoping to take another step forward.Atlanta made several splashes over the winter, highlighted by the arrival of 18-year-old phenom Ezequiel Barco (Barco will miss at least four weeks after sustaining an injury), and former Portland Timber and U.S. Men’s National Team veteran Darlington Nagbe.
A deal between the Uniteds also transformed each side's look. The Black-and-Red acquired former Atlanta winger Yamil Asad, whose seven goals and 13 assists were fourth and second most on the team, respectively. Asad may not have received the headlines as much as Josef Martinez or Miguel Almirón did for the Five Stripes, but Atlanta’s loss will be United’s gain in the midfield.
Columbus Crew SC
The Crew made an inspiring run in the 2017 Audi MLS Playoffs before ultimately falling short against Toronto in the Eastern Conference final. Despite ending the season on a high-note, the Crew could be in team in transition in 2018 after the departures of Ola Kamara and Justin Meram.
Kamara’s departure to the LA Galaxy in exchange for Gyasi Zardes and other assets was one of the more talked about trades of the offseason and will put pressure on Zardes to produce in Columbus. The loss of Meram’s production only adds to the Crew's pressure to show they're still dangerous on the attack.
Despite their losses, Columbus made solid moves to bring in veteran Mike Grella along with some youth in Eduardo Sosa and Milton Valenzuela. Whether the Crew can made another run at the Eastern Conference with their new-look squad remains to be seen.
New York Red Bulls
The team in New Jersey made several changes heading into 2018, which led to the departure of Red Bull regular Sacha Kljestan to Orlando City. Arriving for Kljestan from Orlando are Carlos Rivas and Tommy Redding.
The Red Bulls' biggest move, though, came with the signing of young Argentine winger Alejandro “El Kaku” Romero Gamarra. The signing ended a long saga of “will they or won’t they,” and New York supporters now hope Kaku proves himself worthy of the investment and hype.
New England Revolution
New England’s look in 2018 will at least partially depend on whether Lee Nguyen’s dispute is resolved. Regardless, the Revolution will be without Kei Kamara, who was traded to Vancouver over the winter, meaning their attack will look vastly different from years back.
On the defensive side, New England added Gabriel Somi, a veteran back who adds some experience to the Revolution’s back line. New England also brought in defensive midfielder Wilfred Zahibo, who, at 24, could be a longtime option.
Philadelphia Union
The Union’s trade for David Accam at the MLS SuperDraft this year was the kind of move that rocked the fanbase in downtown Philadelphia when it was announced, and rightfully so. Accam was the biggest acquisition of the Union’s offseason and brings a legitimate attacking option to pair with CJ Sapong up front.
Aside from Accam, the Union also picked up attacking midfielder Borek Dockal as a Designated Player. The Czech Republic native is a true number 10 and a good option to feed Accam and Sapong as well as contribute some scoring himself.
Though most of the winter was quiet, the Union’s late moves have Philadelphia hoping they can battle back into the playoffs.
Montreal Impact
The Impact looked to rebuild over the winter after missing the playoffs in 2017, and they started at the top by replacing manager Mauro Biello with Remi Garde.
On the field, the Impact got younger, losing 12 players off their previous roster and bringing in 10 new faces.
In the back, Montreal added Zakaria Diallo, a centerback who last played in France’s Ligue 2. Flanking him in the back line will be Jukka Riatala and Raheem Edwards, all of whom the Impact hope can redefine their defense. Up front, Montreal will look to Jesisson Vargas and Saphir Taider.
Orlando City SC
United’s first opponent of the 2018 MLS regular season underwent a truly transformative offseason in hopes of finally making the playoffs for the first time in club history.
Orlando bid farewell to Brazilian legend Kaká and swung blockbuster trades for striker Dom Dwyer (July 2017) and old Red Bulls nemesis Sacha Kljestan. Not stopping there, Orlando brought in midfielder Justin Meram from the Columbus Crew.
The Lions also added talented youth in Josue Coman as a Young Designated Player and former NASL Golden Boot winner Stefano Pinho.
The radically transformed roster creates a new look for Orlando, but United are determined to spoil the Lions' home opener when the season starts on March 3.
