2020 D.C. United season

The 2020 D.C. United season is the club's 25th season of existence, and their 25th consecutive season playing in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. The regular season began on February 29, 2020 (making it the first time the season began in February), and was suspended on March 12, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The club's season is resumed on July 13, 2020 with the MLS is Back Tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida, where group stage fixtures counted towards the regular season standings.

D.C. United
2020 season
General managerDave Kasper
Head coachBen Olsen
StadiumAudi Field
MLSConference: 5th
Overall: 12th
MLS Cup PlayoffsTBD
U.S. Open CupTBD
Leagues CupCancelled
MLS is Back TournamentGroup stage
Atlantic CupTBD
Top goalscorerLeague: Tied (2)
All: Tied (2)
Highest home attendance17,183
Lowest home attendance16,932[note 1]
Average home league attendance17,056[note 1]
Biggest winDCU 2–1 Miami
(7 Mar 2020)
Biggest defeatDCU 1–2 Colorado
(29 Feb 2020)
Montreal 1–0 DCU
(21 Jul 2020)

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, United's slate of external competitions were greatly altered. The club was slated to participate in the 2020 U.S. Open Cup (a domestic knock-out cup competition similar to the FA Cup). The club was scheduled to begin play in April 2020, but has indefinitely been suspended due to the pandemic United was slated to play in the 2020 Leagues Cup, a secondary knock-out tournament for the top MLS clubs not to qualify for the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League (similar to the UEFA Europa League) come July 2020, but the tournament was cancelled in May 2020 due to the pandemic, and due to their participation in the one-off MLS is Back Tournament, a tournament to mark the league's return to action.

Background
Main articles: 2019 D.C. United season and 2019 Major League Soccer season

Preseason exhibitions
January 28 D.C. United1–3Montreal ImpactTampa
11:30 EST Fawole  86' Report Tabla  63', 84'
Quioto  78'		 Stadium: Corbett Soccer Stadium
February 1 D.C. United0–3New York Red BullsBradenton
11:30 EST Report Royer  11'
Valot  22'
Barlow  63'		 Stadium: IMG Academy
February 6 Louisville City0–1D.C. UnitedClearwater
16:00 EST  57' Report Gamble  70' Stadium: Joe DiMaggio Complex
February 15 Orlando City0–1D.C. UnitedTampa
17:00 EST Report
Report		 Gamble  77' Stadium: Corbett Soccer Stadium
February 19 Nashville SC1–1D.C. UnitedClearwater
18:00 EST
Report
Stadium: Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex
February 22 D.C. United3–1Philadelphia UnionClearwater
19:00 EST
Report
Stadium: Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex

Competitive fixtures

Major League Soccer
Main articles: 2020 Major League Soccer season and 2020 MLS is Back Tournament § Group stage

Standings
Eastern Conference
Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts
8 FC Cincinnati 5 2 3 0 6 9 −3 6
9 New England Revolution 5 1 1 3 4 4 0 6
10 D.C. United 5 1 2 2 6 7 −1 5
11 Chicago Fire FC 5 1 3 1 4 8 −4 4
12 New York City FC 5 1 4 0 2 6 −4 3
Updated to match(es) played on August 12, 2020. Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goal differential; 7) away goals scored ; 8) home goals scored; 9) home goal differential; 10) coin toss or drawing of lots.
Overall
Pos Team Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts
17 New England Revolution 5 1 1 3 4 4 0 6
18 Real Salt Lake 5 1 1 3 3 3 0 6
19 D.C. United 5 1 2 2 6 7 −1 5
20 FC Dallas 3 1 1 1 4 3 +1 4
21 Chicago Fire FC 5 1 3 1 4 8 −4 4
Updated to match(es) played on August 12, 2020. Source: MLS
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total wins; 3) total goal differential; 4) total goals scored; 5) disciplinary points; 6) away goals scored; 7) away goal differential; 8) coin toss or drawing of lots

Results by round

Results summary
February 29 1D.C. United1–2Colorado RapidsWashington, D.C.
13:00 EST Canouse  60'
Moreno  64'
Mora  76'
Brillant  87'		 Report Shinyashiki  58'
Kamara  67'
Lewis  90+2'		 Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 16,932
Referee: Nima Saghafi
March 7 2D.C. United2–1Inter MiamiWashington, D.C.
15:30 EST Moreno  38'
Asad  59' (pen)
Brillant  61'
Odoi-Atsem  88'
Canouse  90+4'		 Report Pizarro  2'
Torres  54'
Trapp  60'
Figal  84'		 Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 17,183
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
July 13 23 MiBTToronto FC2–2D.C. UnitedBay Lake, Florida
09:00 EST
Report
Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Attendance: 0[note 2]
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Note: Group stage match of 2020 MLS is Back Tournament that counts towards the regular season standings.
July 17 24 MiBTD.C. United1–1New England RevolutionBay Lake, Florida
20:00 EST Gressel  16'
Asad  45+1'
Higuaín  72'
Brillant  83'		 Report Buksa  51' Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Attendance: 0[note 2]
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
Note: Group stage match of 2020 MLS is Back Tournament that counts towards the regular season standings.
July 21 25 MiBTMontreal Impact1–0D.C. UnitedBay Lake, Florida
22:30 EDT Taïder  31'
Urruti  42'
Quioto  90+1'
Jackson-Hamel  90+4'		 Report Felipe  35'
Higuaín  90+2'		 Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Attendance: 0[note 2]
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Note: Group stage match of 2020 MLS is Back Tournament that counts towards the regular season standings.
August 21 3CincinnativD.C. UnitedCincinnati, Ohio
19:30 EDT Stadium: Nippert Stadium
Note: Rescheduled from March 14 due to the COVID-19 pandemic[1]
August 25 29D.C. UnitedvNew England RevolutionWashington, D.C.
20:00 EDT Stadium: Audi Field
Note: Rescheduled from August 29.
August 29 4Philadelphia UnionvD.C. UnitedChester, Pennsylvania
19:30 EDT Stadium: Subaru Park
Note: Rescheduled from March 22 due to the COVID-19 pandemic[1]
September 2 13New York Red BullsvD.C. UnitedHarrison, New Jersey
19:30 EDT Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Note: Rescheduled from May 23 due to the COVID-19 pandemic[2]
September 6 5D.C. UnitedvNYCFCWashington, D.C.
19:00 EDT Stadium: Audi Field
Note: Rescheduled from April 3 due to the COVID-19 pandemic[1]
September 12 9D.C. UnitedP–PNew York Red BullsWashington, D.C.
19:00 EDT Stadium: Audi Field
Note: Resheculed from April 26 due to the COVID-19 pandemic[3]
TBD 6San Jose EarthquakesP–PD.C. UnitedSan Jose, California
17:00 EDT Stadium: Avaya Stadium
Note: Postponed from April 11 due to the COVID-19 pandemic[3]
TBD 7D.C. UnitedP–PTorontoWashington, D.C.
20:00 EDT Stadium: Audi Field
Note: Postponed from April 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic[3]
TBD 8Nashville SCP–PD.C. UnitedNashville, Tennessee
20:00 EDT Stadium: Nissan Stadium
Note: Postponed from April 18 due to the COVID-19 pandemic[3]
TBD 10Seattle Sounders FCP–PD.C. UnitedSeattle, Washington
5:30 PM EDT Stadium: CenturyLink Field
Note: Postponed from May 2 due to the COVID-19 pandemic[3]
TBD 11D.C. UnitedP–PHouston DynamoWashington, D.C.
7:00 PM EDT Stadium: Audi Field
Note: Postponed from May 9 due to the COVID-19 pandemic[3]
TBD 12D.C. UnitedP–POrlando CityWashington, D.C.
7:00 PM EDT Stadium: Audi Field
Note: Postponed from May 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic[2]
TBD 14LA GalaxyP–PD.C. UnitedCarson, California
10:30 PM EDT Stadium: Dignity Health Sports Park
Note: Postponed from May 27 due to the COVID-19 pandemic[2]
TBD 15D.C. UnitedP–PVancouver Whitecaps FCWashington, D.C.
8:00 PM EDT Stadium: Audi Field
Note: Postponed from May 30 due to the COVID-19 pandemic][2]
TBD 16New England RevolutionP–PD.C. UnitedFoxborough, Massachusetts
7:30 PM EDT Stadium: Gillette Stadium
Note: Postponed from June 6 due to the COVID-19 pandemic[2]
TBD 17D.C. UnitedP–PCincinnatiWashington, D.C.
8:00 PM EDT Stadium: Audi Field
Note: Postponed from June 13 due to the 2020 MLS is Back Tournament
TBD 18Columbus CrewP–PD.C. UnitedColumbus, Ohio
7:30 PM EDT Stadium: Mapfre Stadium
Note: Postponed from June 20 due to the MLS is Back Tournament
TBD 19D.C. UnitedP–PMinnesota UnitedWashington, D.C.
8:00 PM EDT Stadium: Audi Field
Note: Postponed from June 27 due to the MLS is Back Tournament
TBD 20D.C. UnitedP–PDallasWashington, D.C.
TBD EDT Stadium: Audi Field
Note: Postponed from July 1 due to the MLS is Back Tournament

U.S. Open Cup
Main article: 2020 U.S. Open Cup
April 21–23 Third roundvTBD
TBD EST Stadium: TBD
Note: Postponed from April 22 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

Leagues Cup
Main article: 2020 Leagues Cup
July 21 First roundD.C. United Cancelled TBDWashington, D.C.
TBD EST Stadium: Audi Field
Note: Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[5]

MLS is Back Tournament
Main article: MLS is Back Tournament

Group C
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Toronto FC 3 1 2 0 6 5 +1 5 Advanced to knockout stage
2 New England Revolution 3 1 2 0 2 1 +1 5
3 Montreal Impact 3 1 0 2 4 5 −1 3
4 D.C. United 3 0 2 1 3 4 −1 2
Source: MLS
July 13 1Toronto FC2–2D.C. UnitedBay Lake, Florida
09:00 EST
Report
Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Attendance: 0[note 2]
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Note: Rescheduled from July 10 due to delay in travel by Toronto FC
July 17 2D.C. United1–1New England RevolutionBay Lake, Florida
20:00 EST Gressel  16'
Asad  45+1'
Higuaín  72'
Brillant  83'		 Report Buksa  51' Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Attendance: 0[note 2]
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
July 21 3Montreal Impact1–0D.C. UnitedBay Lake, Florida
22:30 EDT Taïder  31'
Urruti  42'
Quioto  90+1'
Jackson-Hamel  90+4'		 Report Felipe  35'
Higuaín  90+2'		 Stadium: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Attendance: 0[note 2]
Referee: Alex Chilowicz

Squad information

First team roster
Squad No. Name Nationality Position(s) Date of birth (Age) Apps Goals Assists Signed from
Goalkeepers
1 Chris Seitz GK (1987-03-12) March 12, 1987 1 0 0 Houston Dynamo
24 Bill Hamid GK (1990-11-25) November 25, 1990 238 0 0 Midtjylland
36 Earl Edwards Jr. GK (1992-01-24) January 24, 1992 0 0 0 Orlando City
Defenders
3 Chris Odoi-Atsem RB (1995-05-27) May 27, 1995 13 0 0 Maryland Terrapins
13 Frédéric Brillant CB (1985-06-26) June 26, 1985 66 3 4 New York City FC
15 Steve Birnbaum CB (1991-01-23) January 23, 1991 163 8 3 California Golden Bears
23 Donovan Pines CB (1998-03-07) March 7, 1998 10 0 0 Maryland Terrapins
28 Joseph Mora LB (1993-01-15) January 15, 1993 50 0 3 Saprissa
91 Oniel Fisher RB (1991-11-22) November 22, 1991 26 1 1 Seattle Sounders FC
Axel Sjöberg CB (1991-03-08) March 8, 1991 0 0 0 Columbus Crew
Midfielders
2 Federico Higuaín AM (1984-10-25) October 25, 1984 0 0 0 Columbus Crew
4 Russell Canouse DM (1995-06-11) June 11, 1995 56 1 2 TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
5 Júnior Moreno DM (1993-07-20) July 20, 1993 49 0 5 Zulia
7 Paul Arriola RM (1995-02-05) February 5, 1995 68 14 12 Tijuana
8 Ulises Segura CM (1993-06-23) June 23, 1993 56 5 3 Saprissa
10 Edison Flores AM (1994-05-14) 14 May 1994 0 0 0 Monarcas Morelia
11 Yamil Asad LM (1994-07-24) July 24, 1994 30 9 8 Vélez Sarsfield
18 Felipe CM (1990-09-30) September 30, 1990 9 0 1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
25 Mohammed Abu DM (1991-11-04) November 4, 1991 0 0 0 Vålerenga (loan)
27 Moses Nyeman CM (2003-11-05) November 5, 2003 0 0 0 D.C. United Academy
30 Kevin Paredes MF (2003-05-07) May 7, 2003 0 0 0 D.C. United Academy
31 Julian Gressel RM (1993-12-16) December 16, 1993 0 0 0 Atlanta United
Forwards
9 Ola Kamara ST (1989-10-15) October 15, 1989 5 3 0 Shenzhen
22 Griffin Yow ST (2002-09-25) September 25, 2002 2 0 0 D.C. United Academy
50 Erik Sorga ST (1999-07-08) July 8, 1999 0 0 0 Flora

Coaching and management staff

Statistics

Appearances and goals
As of 25 July 2020[6]
No. Pos Nat Player TotalMLS[lower-alpha 1]U.S. Open CupMLS Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1 GK Chris Seitz 00000000
2 MF Federico Higuaín 320+320000
3 DF Chris Odoi-Atsem 401+300000
4 MF Russell Canouse 515+010000
5 MF Júnior Moreno 505+000000
7 MF Paul Arriola 00000000
8 MF Ulises Segura 403+100000
9 FW Ola Kamara 403+100000
10 MF Edison Flores 404+000000
11 MF Yamil Asad 513+210000
13 DF Frédéric Brillant 525+020000
15 DF Steve Birnbaum 505+000000
18 MF Felipe 505+000000
22 FW Griffin Yow 100+100000
23 DF Donovan Pines 00000000
24 GK Bill Hamid 505+000000
25 MF Mohammed Abu 00000000
27 MF Moses Nyeman 00000000
28 DF Joseph Mora 404+000000
30 MF Kevin Paredes 300+300000
31 MF Julian Gressel 505+000000
36 GK Earl Edwards Jr. 00000000
50 FW Erik Sorga 201+100000
91 FW Oniel Fisher 401+300000
Players that left the club during the season:
17 MF Ema Boateng 00000000
21 MF Chris Durkin 00000000
  1. Includes three group stage matches of the MLS is Back Tournament

Awards

MLS Team of the Week
Week Player Opponent Position Ref
3[note 3] Frédéric Brillant Toronto FC DF [7]

Transfers and loans

Transfers in
No. Pos. Player From Date Notes/Fee Source
Winter 2019–20
11MF Yamil Asad Vélez SarsfieldSeptember 17, 2019Free Transfer, signed through 2022[8]
44MF Moses Nyeman D.C. United AcademyOctober 3, 2019Homegrown player[9]
24GK Bill Hamid MidtjyllandDecember 9, 2019$750,000 TAM, signed through 2022[10]
10MF Edison Flores MoreliaJanuary 14, 2020$5M Transfer Fee to Morelia, $2M per year through 2024[11]
30MF Kevin Paredes D.C. United AcademyJanuary 17, 2020Homegrown player[12]
31 MF Julian Gressel Atlanta UnitedJanuary 21, 2020$750,000 TAM to Atlanta, over $700,000 per year through 2023[13]
50 FW Erik Sorga FloraFebruary 29, 2020$500,000[14]
2MF Federico Higuaín Columbus CrewMarch 2, 2020Signed as player and assistant coach[15]
DF Axel Sjöberg Columbus CrewAugust 12, 2020Traded for Emmanuel Boateng[16]

Transfers out
No. Pos. Player To Date Notes/Fee Source
Winter 2019–20
26 MF Antonio Bustamante Club Blooming November 22, 2019 Option Declined [17]
20 DF Jalen Robinson November 22, 2019 Option Declined [17]
19 MF Gordon Wild LA Galaxy November 22, 2019 Option Declined [17]
25 FW Quincy Amarikwa November 22, 2019 Option Declined [17]
6 DF Marquinhos Pedroso Botev Plovdiv November 22, 2019 Option Declined [17]
9FW Wayne Rooney Derby CountyDecember 31, 2019Undisclosed[17]
29DF Leonardo Jara Boca JuniorsDecember 31, 2019End of loan[17]
10MF Luciano Acosta AtlasJanuary 1, 2020Free Transfer[18]
21MF Chris Durkin Sint-TruidenMay 7, 2020Loan buyout, $1.2M to D.C. with 25% sell-on clause[19]
17MF Emmanuel Boateng Columbus CrewAugust 12, 2020Traded for Axel Sjoberg[16]

MLS SuperDraft picks
Main article: 2020 MLS SuperDraft
2020 D.C. United SuperDraft Picks
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeStatus
1 21 Simon Lefebvre GK Temple signed with Loudoun United FC
2 42 Josh Fawole FW Loyola (MD) signed with Loudoun United FC
365 Andrew VerdiGKMichiganreturned to college
369PASS
491
495

Loans in
No. Pos. Player Loaned from Start End Source
25 MF Mohammed Abu Vålerenga March 2, 2020 December 31, 2020 [20]

Loans out
No. Pos. Player Loaned to Start End Source

See also

Notes
  1. Excluding matches played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. All matches in the MLS Is Back Tournament will be played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida.
  3. Week 1 of the MLS is Back Tournament

References
  1. "MLS suspends 2020 season for 30 days due to coronavirus impact". mlssoccer.com. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  2. "MLS postponement extended until at least June 8 due to ongoing impact of COVID-19 pandemic". MLSSoccer.com. April 17, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  3. "MLS extends season suspension in accordance with CDC guidance on COVID-19". mlssoccer.com. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  4. Liljenwall, Ari (March 13, 2020). "2020 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 outbreak". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  5. "MLS All-Star Game, Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup canceled for 2020". MLSSoccer.com. May 19, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  6. "USA - DC United - Squad Statistics". Soccerway. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  7. "Team of the Week presented by Audi: Columbus Crew get plenty of love in Round 1". Major League Soccer. July 14, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  8. Anderson, Jason (September 17, 2019). "Yamil Asad signs pre-contract with D.C. United". Black And Red United. SB Nation. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  9. Goff, Steven (October 3, 2019). "D.C. United signs 15-year-old to a contract". Washington Post. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  10. "D.C. United acquire Bill Hamid on a permanent transfer from FC Midtjylland". D.C. United. Major League Soccer. December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  11. Anderson, Jason (January 14, 2020). "Official: D.C. United signs Edison Flores". Black And Red United. SB Nation. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  12. "D.C. United sign Academy Product Kevin Paredes". D.C. United. Major League Soccer. January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  13. Goff, Steven (January 21, 2020). "D.C. United lands star midfielder Julian Gressel in trade with Atlanta". Washington Post. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  14. "D.C. United acquire Estonian National Team Forward Erik Sorga". D.C. United. February 29, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  15. Sigal, Jonathan (March 2, 2020). "Federico Higuain signs with DC United as player, Player Development Coach". Major League Soccer. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  16. Goff, Steven (August 12, 2020). "D.C. United acquiring Axel Sjöberg from Columbus Crew for Emmanuel Boateng". Washington Post. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  17. Keefer, Ryan (November 22, 2019). "D.C. United announces post-season roster decisions". Black And Red United. SB Nation. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  18. "Luciano Acosta se viste de Rojinegro". Atlas F.C. (in Spanish). Liga MX. December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  19. "D.C. United and Sint-Truidense V.V. Complete Permanent Transfer for Chris Durkin". D.C. United. Major League Soccer. May 7, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  20. "D.C. United Acquire Mohammed Abu". D.C. United. Major League Soccer. March 2, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.