DC United 2023 MLS season preview: Tactics, predicted XI, predictions

DC United are seeking vast improvement in 2023.
DC United are seeking vast improvement in 2023. / Image: Matthew Burt.
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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?

Benteke must deliver the goals for DC United.
Benteke must deliver the goals for DC United. / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

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