The 2018 season was always going to be a difficult campaign for D.C. United. With the team playing entirely on the road for the first half of the year then transitioning into their new home, Audi Field, midway through the season, the Black-and-Red had an unconventional schedule and path to the postseason. Most expected United to find more success once they opened Audi Field, aided by home-field advantage and a less hectic travel schedule. But few expected the Black-and-Red to rise from dead last in the league to true playoff contenders.
Up until July 14, when United debuted Audi Field, the team had won only two games. Since their inaugural match at their new stadium, the Black-and-Red have won 12 matches, becoming dominant on the attack and fortifying their back line as well to emerge as one of the hottest teams in the league. Now, United haven't lost a match since August 29, and are currently on a five-game win streak that has officially landed them in the postseason following their 3-1 win over NYCFC at home.
“We’ll enjoy it for sure tonight,” head coach Ben Olsen said after Sunday's game against New York City. “We can exhale just for a second, for 24 hours. There hasn’t been much of that over the last couple of months. So, it feels great. It feels great for the guys, for the club, the people who work here, the ownership, the fans, the city—which, I think, has gotten on board with this team over the last couple of months. It’s been fun and I’m glad it’s going to continue.”
The shift that occurred in mid-July started with the opening of Audi Field and the debut of English striker Wayne Rooney, who has played a critical role in turning around the team with his goalscoring rate and leadership. But there were a number of other major factors that helped push United from the bottom of the table to the forefront of the Eastern Conference throughout the following months, including the return of Bill Hamid, the play of now-healthy Russell Canouse, and an extended homestand that started in mid-September and saw Audi Field develop into one of the most difficult MLS venues for opponents to play.
Now, soccer fans, DMV residents, and the sports world are keeping a close eye on D.C. United, and wondering, after such an unlikely rise, how far this team can go in the postseason.
“It’s a great feeling for the club, for the players, for what we’ve been able to accomplish,” midfielder Paul Arriola said. “From seeing everyone talk about how this season was another bad season at the beginning, and no one was talking about us, and now no one can stop talking about us. It’s a good feeling to be able to win, and the work we have put in has paid off."
United closed out their regular season at Audi Field with a big win, but the task is far from over. As the Black-and-Red prepare for the postseason, they will first face one more regular season match on the road against the Chicago Fire. United have clinched their spot in the playoffs, but now they are eager to bring the postseason back to the District.
“We've got a task on our hands," goalkeeper Bill Hamid said. "When a few of us arrived in the middle of the season, it almost felt like a new season. We accomplished something very, very good to go from last to a playoff position. And with just a little bit more, we can go get home-field advantage, and I think that’s the talk of the locker room right now.”
Should United win in their October 28 match against the Chicago Fire, they will secure a home match for the Knockout Round of the playoffs. If United are forced to play the Knockout Round on the road, they would have to win to advance to the two-leg Eastern Conference semifinal, in which one game would be played at Audi Field. The Black-and-Red achieved their goal of earning another postseason berth, but now focus immediately shifts to the next goal for the team: bring the playoffs back to Audi Field and the District.
