For D.C. United, the best gifts we can ever give Black-and-Red fans are goals… and plenty of them.
In 2018, there was no shortage of goals, with United scoring a staggering 60 in 34 regular season games - the most goals scored in a regular season since 1998. This outstanding offensive display ensured that fans could celebrate another great year in D.C. United history.
Wayne Rooney, Luciano Acosta, and Darren Mattocks were responsible for 32 of the 60 goal tally. The last time the Black-and-Red had three 10+ goalscorers in the regular season was when Jaime Moreno, Marco Etcheverry, and Roy Lassiter achieved it in '98.
Rooney has been no stranger to scoring goals throughout his career. His transition from the Premier League to MLS was a quick one and the 33-year-old didn’t take long before he started consistently finding the back of the net. He scored his first goal in his fourth appearance against Colorado, opening the floodgates for the international soccer icon. He brought swagger to the District and was a catalyst for the biggest single-season turnaround in club history. Rooney finished 2018 with12 goals in 20 appearances and fans will be hoping to see more of his celebrations in 2019.
Rooney’s world-class aura immediately reverberated to Luciano Acosta, who was already having an impressive year prior to the Englishman’s arrival. Acosta was playing like a man possessed and the only thing he was better at than scoring goals was setting up teammates to score as well. Acosta was the most giving player on the Black-and-Red team in 2018, playing a role in 27 of United's goals with 10 goals and 17 assists in 33 appearances.
Jamaican International Darren Mattocks, who recently departed for MLS expansion side FC Cincinnati, gave fans something to smile about throughout the season. His pace, athleticism, and skill on the ball made him an exciting player to watch and he scored some memorable goals during his year in the District. His 10th goal will hold a special place in D.C. United hearts when he scored the game-winner in a must-win match against Minnesota on Sept. 12 in the midst of the Black-and-Red's playoff race.
D.C. United had three of Santa’s little helpers tirelessly stuffing their Christmas stockings with goals in 2018. With a full 34 game slate ahead of Rooney and an off-season to continue working on a fruitful relationship with Acosta, there could be a lot more gifts for fans to unwrap in 2019.
