DC United 2023 MLS season preview: Tactics, predicted XI, predictions
By Chris Smith
DC United head into 2023 looking for vast improvements on the last few miserable years.
The Black and Red have failed to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs in each of their last three seasons and even finished bottom of the overall standings in 2022, taking just 27 points from 34 games.
However, head coach Wayne Rooney has now had plenty of time to get to grips with his roster, making some key additions he'll hope will quickly turn their fortunes around. Nevertheless, plenty of hard work still remains.
So, here's everything you need to know about DC United ahead of the new MLS season, including tactics, key players, and predictions.
How did DC United perform in 2022?
- Regular season: 14th in Eastern Conference
- MLS Cup Playoffs: Didn't qualify
- US Open Cup: Round-of-32
DC United transfer activity
Transfers in
Player | Former Club | Fee |
|---|---|---|
Mohanad Jeahze | Hammarby | $1m |
Derrick Williams | LA Galaxy | $180k |
Mateusz Klich | Leeds United | Free transfer |
Ruan | Orlando City | Free transfer |
Tyler Miller | Minnesota United | Free transfer |
Pedro Santos | Columbus Crew | Free transfer |
Alex Bono | Toronto FC | Free transfer |
Transfers out
Player | Club Joined | Fee |
|---|---|---|
Brad Smith | Houston Dynamo | Free transfer |
Tony Alfaro | NYCFC | Free transfer |
David Ochoa | Atletico de San Luis | Free transfer |
Drew Skundrich | Switchbacks FC | Free transfer |
Rafael Romo | Uni. Catolica | Free transfer |
Kimarni Smith | San Antonio FC | Free transfer |
Sofiane Djeffal | Austin FC | Draft |
Ola Kamara | - | Released |
Bill Hamid | - | Released |
Chris Odoi-Atsem | - | Released |
Adrien Perez | - | Released |
Sami Guediri | - | Released |
Jon Kempin | - | Released |
Wayne Rooney: Tactics and style of play
Though he did experiment with a 4-4-2, Wayne Rooney mostly stuck with a 4-3-3 once he took the reigns last season.
From the small sample size we have, it appears Rooney is trying to make DC United more dominant and effective with the ball, while pushing the full-backs forward to create wide overloads, making it easier to create chances around the box.
Of course, given the results, Rooney's plan is yet to really play out, but there were a few shoots of hope amid the gloom.
DC United predicted XI (4-3-3): Miller; Ruan, Pines, Birnbaum, Jeahze; Klich, Durkin, Morrison; Fountas, Benteke, Rodriguez.
Who is DC United's key player?
Christian Benteke
Let's be clear, DC United were truly woeful at both ends of the field last season. But in MLS, you can leak a few too many goals and remain competitive if you have someone at the other end that can put up good numbers.
Christian Benteke has to be that man for the Black and Red in 2023. The former Belgium international joined midway through last year from Crystal Palace but only went on to score one goal in seven appearances.
There were signs he can improve DC United and he's sure to be a handful, but Rooney really will be relying on Benteke to deliver somewhere between 15 and 20 goals this season if his team is to even think about an MLS Cup Playoffs push.
DC United 2023 season prediction
DC United have made plenty of improvements in key areas, that has to be said.
However, have they improved enough to convince anyone they can genuinely challenge for MLS Cup Playoffs contention? That remains to be seen, but it's a very tall order.
In the end, it's tough to see DC United scoring enough goals to push some of the better teams in the Eastern Conference, even if their defense should be a little more secure.
Will DC United qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs? No