2016 D.C. United season

D.C. United
2016 season
General Manager Dave Kasper
Head Coach Ben Olsen
Stadium RFK Stadium
MLS Conference: TBD
Overall: TBD
CONCACAF Champions League (15–16) Quarterfinals
Atlantic Cup TBD
Top goalscorer League: Lamar Neagle & Fabián Espíndola (1)
All: Three players (1)
Highest home attendance 15,334
(March 20 vs. Colorado)
Lowest home attendance League: 15,334
(March 20 vs. Colorado)
All: 10,790
(March 1 vs. Querétaro)
Average home league attendance League: 14,768
All: 13,442
Home colors
Away colors
← 2015 2017 →

The 2016 D.C. United season will be the club's twenty-first season of existence, their twenty-first in Major League Soccer and their twenty-first consecutive season in the top flight of American soccer. United enter the season participating in the knockout stages of the 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League, with the quarterfinal series expected to take place in February 2016.

Background

Pre-season

January

D.C. United entered 2016 in desperate need of a makeover in midfield. The team traded winger Chris Pontius to the Philadelphia Union, they were unable to reach a new agreement with long-time central midfielder Perry Kitchen. Kitchen's central midfield partner, Davy Arnaud seemed unlikely to make a recovery from a concussion suffered in September 2015. Also Michael Farfan was released. Although the team traded for two wingers, Lamar Neagle and Patrick Nyarko, they were still in need of help in the center of the pitch. At the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, the team traded up two positions to select a Generation Adidas player from Syracuse University, midfielder Julian Buescher. The team then traded its own first round selection for a pick in the second round along with TAM money. The team used the pick to Select another midfielder, from 2015 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship Game runner-up Clemson University, Paul Clowes. However, the team was still in search of more experienced players, and stories began surfacing that the team was trying to sign various foreign midfielders, including Leonardo Gil and Antonio Nocerino. The biggest news of the preseason, though, was probably the announcement that the team's star player, goalkeeper Bill Hamid had reinjured his knee during the off-season and was forced to have knee surgery that was expected to sideline him for several months.

February

Having set their sights on A.C. Milan player Antonio Nocerino, D.C. United found their negotiation was undermined when Orlando City S.C.'s Kaka apparently convinced his former teammate to reject United's offer and pursue a contract with Orlando. Fortunately, a plan B quickly emerged. The team filled the holding mid slot by trading for MLS veteran Marcelo Sarvas, and got a bit of an unexpected boost when the name of a former acquisition target, Boca Junior's midfielder/forward Luciano Acosta suddenly showed up on the transfer rumor wires. Within a week, United had the diminutive midfielder signed and training in their Florida pre-season camp. The next day, Acosta even assisted on the lone goal in a match against Tampa Bay Rowdies. Reportedly, United agreed to a trade of a conditional draft pick to New York Red Bulls, who had gained discovery claim priority on Acosta, after United had relinquished its own. As preseason continued, the team released Conor Doyle to make way for a trialist from USL side Pittsburgh Riverhounds, winger Rob Vincent. United took to the pitch for the first time in 2016, with a 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series against Queretaro FC. In a match in the Mexican mountain city, D.C. United mostly held its own. But, missed chances by the visitors opened the door for the home team, which scored twice in the final 20 minutes, to take a daunting 2-0 lead in the series.

March

For the second straight year, the D.C. team bowed out in the quarterfinals of CONCACAF play. An away goal in the 4th minute locked up the series for Queretaro, but United did manage to reclaim some dignity with an impressive late strike for a goal by rookie Julian Büscher. Unable to practice with the team because of lingering post-concussion symptoms, Davy Arnaud retired from playing and joined the coaching staff. Because he had a guaranteed contract, Arnaud's retirement was not expected to free up any salary cap space, but it did open a roster spot. United made a trade to acquire the rights to U.S. youth international goalkeeper, Charlie Horton, who had left his English team, Leeds United, to play closer to home.

MLS Regular Season

In its 2016 Major League Soccer season opener, D.C. United started off well with a goal by newcomer Lamar Neagle to take a 1-0 lead over the LA Galaxy in the fifth minute. However, the Galaxy stormed back in the second half, led by former MLS MVP Mike Magee, and crushed D.C. 4-1. As D.C. traveled to Foxboro to face the New England Revolution, Andrew Dykstra was forced to sit out with back spasms, and Fabian Espindola was nursing a tender hamstring. The match ended in a scoreless draw. Dykstra later turned out to need back surgery that would sideline him for 10–12 weeks,[1] joining Hamid on the injury list and leaving the netminding duties up to sophomore keeper Travis Worra and the recently-signed Horton.

DC hoped to bounce back in their home opener against the Colorado Rapids, but the team only managed a 1-1 draw thanks to Espindola coming off the bench and chipping a rebound into the net in the 80th minute. The following week, Steve Birnbaum and Álvaro Saborío were called up to their respective national teams in the US and Costa Rica. D.C. faced off against an FC Dallas side that was suffering even more losses from injury and national call-ups, but were crushed 3-0 after Dallas took advantage of multiple mistakes between Bobby Boswell and Kofi Opare, who filled in for Birnbaum.

April

D.C. United announced the signing of veteran MLS keeper Tally Hall to shore up their increasingly-wounded goalkeeping corps, which turned out to be a prescient move as Horton suffered a concussion during training and would not be ready in time for the next match. Still searching for their first victory of the season, D.C. instead found another draw in San Jose. Despite getting an early lead when Nyarko headed in a spectacular cross by Neagle, and seeing several miraculous saves from Worra, a mistake by Espindola late in the game quickly led to a game-tying goal by Adam Jahn. D.C. finally got its first win in 2016 when they returned home to face the Vancouver Whitecaps F.C. Espindola and Alvaro Saborio each scored a pair of goals, with the latter assisted by Acosta late in the second half, to notch a 4-0 shutout. Unfortunately, the team's luck would be short-lived when they allowed Sebastian Giovinco to score in the first minute of the very next game, leading to a 1-0 defeat against Toronto.

On April 20, the MLS Disciplinary Committee suddenly announced that they would suspend manager Ben Olsen and fine him $500 for stepping onto the field during the Toronto match. [2] With Chad Ashton as their acting manager, D.C. bounced back in their very next match with a 3-0 victory against New England.

Squad

Current roster

As of 13 February 2016
Squad No. Name Nationality Position(s) Previous Club Date of Birth (Age)
Goalkeepers
1 Tally Hall United States GK United States Orlando City 12 May 1985
28 Bill Hamid HGP United States GK United States D.C. United Academy 26 December 1986
30 Charlie Horton United States GK England Leeds United 14 September 1994
48 Travis Worra United States GK United States New Hampshire Wildcats 19 April 1993
50 Andrew Dykstra United States GK United States Charleston Battery 2 January 1986
Defenders
2 Taylor Kemp United States LB / WB United States Maryland Terrapins 23 July 1990
5 Sean Franklin United States RB / WB United States LA Galaxy 21 March 1985
6 Kofi Opare Ghana CB United States LA Galaxy 12 October 1990
15 Steve Birnbaum GA United States CB / RB United States California Golden Bears 23 January 1991
20 Jalen Robinson HGP United States CB / DM United States Wake Forest Demon Deacons 8 May 1994
22 Chris Korb United States RB / WB United States Akron Zips 8 October 1987
32 Bobby Boswell (C) United States CB United States Houston Dynamo 15 March 1983
34 Luke Mishu United States RB / CB United States Notre Dame Fighting Irish 26 June 1991
Midfielders
4 Markus Halsti Finland DM / CM Sweden Malmö 19 March 1984
7 Marcelo Sarvas Brazil CM / AM United States Colorado Rapids 16 October 1981
11 Luciano Acosta Argentina AM / FW Argentina Boca Juniors 31 May 1994
12 Patrick Nyarko Ghana RW United States Chicago Fire 15 January 1986
13 Lamar Neagle United States LW / FW United States Seattle Sounders 7 May 1987
14 Nick DeLeon GA United States CM / LM United States Louisville Cardinals 17 July 1990
16 Paul Clowes England CM United States Clemson Tigers 27 December 1993
25 Jared Jeffrey United States CM / AM Germany Mainz 05 14 July 1990
26 Rob Vincent England CM United States Pittsburgh Riverhounds 26 October 1990
27 Collin Martin HGP United States CM United States Wake Forest Demon Deacons 9 November 1994
33 Julian Büscher GA Germany CM / AM United States Syracuse Orange 22 April 1993
41 Andrea Mancini Italy AM / FW Hungary Szombathelyi Haladás 13 August 1992
Forwards
9 Álvaro Saborío Costa Rica FW United States Real Salt Lake 25 March 1982
10 Fabián Espíndola DP Argentina FW / SS United States New York Red Bulls 4 May 1985
17 Miguel Aguilar Mexico FW / RW United States San Francisco Dons 30 August 1993
18 Chris Rolfe (VC) United States FW / LW United States Chicago Fire 17 January 1983

Non-competitive

Preseason friendlies

Suncoast Invitational

Competitive

Major League Soccer

Results

U.S. Open Cup

CONCACAF Champions League

2015–16

D.C. United advanced to the Quarterfinals after dominating their Group with three wins and one draw. Lamar Neagle was ruled ineligible to play, as he had previously played in the Group Stage with the Seattle Sounders before being traded to D.C., and could not represent two different teams in the same competition. Miguel Aguilar was suspended from the first match due to yellow card accumulation in the Group Stage.

Quarterfinals

Transfers

In

No. Pos. Player Transferred From Fee/Notes Date Source
13 MF United States Lamar Neagle United States Seattle Sounders Trade December 7, 2015 [3]
12 FW Ghana Patrick Nyarko United States Chicago Fire Traded for SuperDraft pick January 6, 2016 [4]
33 MF Germany Julian Büscher United States Syracuse Orange 2016 MLS SuperDraft 1st round pick January 14, 2016
16 MF England Paul Clowes United States Clemson Tigers 2016 MLS SuperDraft 2nd round pick January 14, 2016
DF Isle of Man Liam Doyle United States Ohio State Buckeyes 2016 MLS SuperDraft 4th round pick January 19, 2016
7 MF Brazil Marcelo Sarvas United States Colorado Rapids Approximately $180,000 February 1, 2016
11 MF Argentina Luciano Acosta Argentina Boca Juniors On loan, with buyout option February 15, 2016 [5]
26 MF England Rob Vincent United States Pittsburgh Riverhounds Undisclosed Fee February 17, 2016 [6]
30 GK United States Charlie Horton England Leeds United February 29, 2016 [7]
41 MF Italy Andrea Mancini Hungary Szombathelyi Haladás Free Transfer March 27, 2016 [8]
1 GK United States Tally Hall United States Orlando City April 1, 2016 [9]

Out

No. Pos. Player Transferred To Fee/Notes Date Source
7 FW United States Eddie Johnson None Retired November 1, 2015
19 FW Costa Rica Jairo Arrieta United States New York Cosmos Option Declined December 7, 2015
12 MF United States Michael Farfan United States Seattle Sounders Option Declined December 7, 2015
21 MF Argentina Facundo Coria Waived December 7, 2015
13 FW United States Chris Pontius United States Philadelphia Union Trade December 6, 2015
23 MF United States Perry Kitchen Scotland Heart of Midlothian Contract expired, refused new contract December 23, 2015 [10][11]
DF Isle of Man Liam Doyle Released February 5, 2016 [12]
30 FW United States Conor Doyle United States Colorado Rapids Trade for 3rd round pick in 2017 MLS SuperDraft February 9, 2016
8 MF United States Davy Arnaud None Retired, staying as coach. March 3, 2016 [13]

Loan out

No. Pos. Player Loaned To Start End Source
27 MF United States Collin Martin United States Richmond Kickers March 23, 2016 [14]
20 DF United States Jalen Robinson United States Richmond Kickers March 23, 2016 [14]
16 MF England Paul Clowes United States Richmond Kickers March 23, 2016 [14]

Draft picks

2016 D.C. United Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
1 11 Julian Buescher Midfielder Syracuse
2 32 Paul Clowes Midfielder Clemson
4 67 Liam Doyle Defender Ohio State
74 PASS
79 PASS

Statistics

As of match played April 30, 2016

Appearances and goals

No. Pos Nat Player TotalMLS MLS Cup Playoffs U.S. Open Cup CONCACAF Champions League
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 DF United States Tally Hall 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
2 DF United States Taylor Kemp 11 0 9+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
4 MF Finland Markus Halsti 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0
5 DF United States Sean Franklin 11 0 9+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
6 DF Ghana Kofi Opare 1 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
7 MF Brazil Marcelo Sarvas 9 0 7+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
9 FW Costa Rica Álvaro Saborío 7 3 1+5 3 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0
10 FW Argentina Fabián Espíndola 9 3 5+2 3 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
11 MF Argentina Luciano Acosta 11 1 4+5 1 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+1 0
12 MF Ghana Patrick Nyarko 10 2 8+0 2 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
13 MF United States Lamar Neagle 9 2 9+0 2 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
14 MF United States Nick DeLeon 10 0 8+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
15 DF United States Steve Birnbaum 10 0 8+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
16 MF England Paul Clowes 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
17 FW Mexico Miguel Aguilar 4 0 0+4 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
18 FW United States Chris Rolfe 11 0 9+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
20 DF United States Jalen Robinson 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
22 DF United States Chris Korb 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
25 MF United States Jared Jeffrey 3 0 2+1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
26 MF England Rob Vincent 7 0 1+4 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+1 0
27 MF United States Collin Martin 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
28 GK United States Bill Hamid 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
30 GK United States Charlie Horton 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
32 DF United States Bobby Boswell 11 0 9+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
33 MF Germany Julian Büscher 5 1 0+3 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+2 1
34 DF United States Luke Mishu 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
41 MF Italy Andrea Mancini 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
48 GK United States Travis Worra 8 0 8+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
50 GK United States Andrew Dykstra 3 0 1+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0

Goals and assists

No. Pos. Name MLS MLS Cup US Open Cup CONCACAF
Champions League		 Total
Goals Assists Goals Assists Goals Assists Goals Assists Goals Assists
9 FW Álvaro Saborío 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1
10 FW Fabian Espindola 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 1
13 M/F Lamar Neagle 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1
12 MF Patrick Nyarko 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
11 MF Luciano Acosta 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3
33 MF Julian Büscher 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0

Disciplinary record

No. Pos. Name MLS MLS Cup US Open Cup CONCACAF
Champions League		 Total
Red card Red card Red card Red card Red card
7 MF Marcelo Sarvas 5 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 7 1
5 DF Sean Franklin 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
11 MF Luciano Acosta 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
14 MF Nick DeLeon 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
15 DF Steve Birnbaum 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
18 FW Chris Rolfe 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
2 DF Taylor Kemp 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
9 FW Alvaro Saborio 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
12 MF Patrick Nyarko 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
13 M/F Lamar Neagle 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
32 DF Bobby Boswell 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/03/17/dc-uniteds-andrew-dykstra-have-back-surgery-out-10-12-weeks
  2. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/04/20/mls-suspends-d-c-united-coach-ben-olsen-for-retrieving-stray-ball-on-field-during-match/
  3. ↑ "D.C. United acquire Lamar Neagle from Seattle Sounders FC". DCUnited.com. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  4. ↑ "DC United acquire Chicago Fire winger Patrick Nyarko in exchange for 2016 SuperDraft pick". Major League Soccer. MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  5. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/02/15/with-a-bag-of-tricks-argentine-playmaker-luciano-acosta-joins-d-c-united/
  6. ↑ https://www.dcunited.com/post/2016/02/16/dc-united-acquire-rob-vincent-pittsburgh-riverhounds
  7. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/02/29/d-c-united-signs-u-s-under-23-national-team-goalkeeper-charlie-horton/
  8. ↑ http://www.dcunited.com/post/2016/03/27/united-sign-andrea-mancini
  9. ↑ http://www.dcunited.com/post/2016/04/01/dc-united-sign-tally-hall
  10. ↑ Goff, Steven. "Perry Kitchen, D.C. United ‘have moved on’". Washington Post. WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  11. ↑ http://www.blackandredunited.com/dc-united-transfers/2016/3/1/11144104/perry-kitchen-dc-united-usmnt-scotland-club-hearts
  12. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/02/05/d-c-united-trims-preseason-roster-after-first-stage-of-training-camp/
  13. ↑ http://www.dcunited.com/post/2016/03/03/davy-arnaud-announces-his-retirement
  14. 1 2 3 Dorr Jr., Vic (March 23, 2016). "D.C. United taps Martin, Robinson and Clowes for duty with Kickers". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
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