2019 Season Preview: D.C. United

A half-season of Wayne Rooney and Lucho Acosta went well in 2018 ... so what will a full campaign of LuchoRoo look like?


Rooney and Acosta, who nearly moved to PSG this offseason, are joined in attack by young Designated Player Lucas Rodriguez, as D.C. United aim to be an Eastern Conference heavyweight in 2019. Chemistry shouldn't be an issue as Rodriguez ā€” and new right back Leonardo Jara ā€” were teammates with Acosta at Estudiantes. 


Star players



Key acquisitions and departures



Projected Starting XI

2019 Season Preview: D.C. United - https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/images/mls_soccer_2018_22019-02-20_08-21-52.png?CELUlCKySwIgFxh_dCn75O0Rnit2CCup

Team strengths and weaknesses


  • Strength: They have above-average talent all over the field + two game-changing attackers + a free flowing, unpredictable style + buzz and optimism around the club.
  • Weakness: Is the above-average talent above-average enough if Wayne Rooney misses games? There's also questions about how Rooney will acclimate to a normal MLS travel schedule after only leaving Eastern Time Zone once in his 20 games in 2018.


Predictions


  • Ben Baer: 5th in East
  • Calen Carr: 4th in East
  • Charlie Davies: 4th in East
  • Matt Doyle: 3rd in East
  • Bobby Warshaw: 2nd in East
  • Andrew Wiebe: 3rd in East