DC United 2023 Season Preview

Tom Bogert

2023 Schedule

Strength: Between Christian Benteke and Mateusz Klich they’ve got themselves a lot of top-level experience in a couple of crucial spots, which should be the foundation of an attack that consistently executes.
Weakness: Goalkeeper, central defense, d-mid and the fullbacks are all major questions.

Bill Hamid: One of 13 players to leave this winter, club legend Bill Hamid departs after 279 regular-season appearances with his boyhood club. Hamid signed a homegrown contract and then made his MLS debut in 2010.
Ola Kamara: Consistent MLS goalscorer Ola Kamara remains a free agent after his D.C. United contract expired. The center forward, now 33, had 9g/1a in just under 1,500 minutes last season. With Benteke acquired last summer, Kamara seemed likely to leave.
David Ochoa: Mexican international goalkeeper David Ochoa left as well. He was thought of as a potential successor to Hamid and was acquired last summer in a trade from Real Salt Lake, but the Black-and-Red opted for a more experienced starter. Ochoa has since signed with San Luis in Liga MX.

Mateusz Klich: The biggest piece of a hugely busy offseason, Poland international midfielder Mateusz Klich was acquired from Leeds United and signed as a Designated Player. Klich, 32, had 24g/21a in 195 appearances with Leeds, where he was a fan favorite and crucial to their long-awaited promotion to the English Premier League.
Ruan: Ruan is one of perhaps five new starters signed this winter, with the Brazilian right back acquired in a trade from Orlando City. One of the fastest players in the league, Ruan is a constant overlapping threat on the right flank. He made 101 appearances in four years with Orlando.
Tyler Miller: A new starting goalkeeper for D.C. United as (essentially) a dozen-year reign of Bill Hamid ends. Tyler Miller was signed in free agency and has ample MLS experience, winning a Supporters’ Shield with LAFC and enjoying another year as a starter with Minnesota United. Miller has made 100 MLS regular-season starts.
Full roster