2015 D.C. United season

March 2026 August 2023 D.C. United 1998 wordmark.svg D.C. United 2015 MLS General manager Dave Kasper Head coach Ben Olsen RFK Stadium Conference: 4thOverall: 8th MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Semifinals U.S. Open Cup Fifth round CONCACAF Champions League (14–15) Quarterfinals CONCACAF Champions League (15–16) Quarterfinals Atlantic Cup Runner-up 21,517( vs. NYCFC) League: 11,218(June 3 vs. Chicago)All: 8,137(Mar. 4 vs. Alajuelense) League: All: Chris Rolfe (6) Jairo Arrieta (9) _DCU_14h _PHOENIX_1112s _DCU_14h _DCU_14h _3_stripes_white FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 000000 _DCU_15a _DCU_15a _DCU_15a _DCU_15a _redtop FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF true 2014 2016 thumb The 2015 D.C. United season was the club's twentieth season of existence, and their twentieth in Major League Soccer, the top tier of the American soccer pyramid. The club entered the season as the defending Eastern Conference regular season champions. Outside of MLS regular season play, the club participated in the 2015 U.S. Open Cup, as well as the knockout stages of the 2014–15 CONCACAF Champions League and group stages of the 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League. Background Pre-season January D.C. United began the season in 2015, after a successful 2014 campaign, in which D.C. United went undefeated during the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League group play. The team, seeking to maintain its success, thought to keep much of the team the same. In the final month of 2014, the team traded its late-season 2014 acquisition, reserve fullback/midfielder Samuel Inkoom, along with back-up goalkeeper Joe Willis, to the Houston Dynamo, in exchange for the MLS rights to Andrew Driver, whose contract had not been renewed by Houston. The main purpose of the trade was to remove an international player, Inkoom, from the roster, so the team could protect all of the major 2014 players in the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft. In the expansion draft, the team did lose veteran reserve midfielder Lewis Neal along with Thomas McNamara, who had just been acquired by the team in the 2014 MLS Dispersal Draft that followed the dissolution of Chivas USA. The team added depth in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, selecting a projected winger, Miguel Aguilar, along with a central midfielder from the nearby University of Maryland, Dan Metzger.Goff Steven In MLS draft, D.C. United turns to Bay area and College Park https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2015/01/15/in-mls-draft-d-c-united-turns-to-bay-area-and-college-park/ 17 January 2015 The Washington Post 15 January 2015 Several days before the draft, the team also signed veteran Finnish international, Markus Halsti, from the Swedish side Malmö FF.Goff Steven D.C. United signs Finland's Halsti https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2015/01/12/d-c-united-signs-finlands-halsti/ 17 January 2015 The Washington Post 14 January 2015 With Malmö, Halsti had played defensive midfield in recent years, after having spent the early years in his career playing as a defender. On the day before the SuperDraft, the team also traded one of its unused international player roster slots to the Columbus Crew in exchange for forward Jairo Arrieta.Goff Steven D.C. United acquires Costa Rican forward https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2015/01/14/d-c-united-acquires-costa-rican-forward/ 17 January 2015 The Washington Post 14 January 2015 Ben Olsen, who was awarded league honors as the 2014 MLS Coach of the Year, continued to manage the side along with General Manager Dave Kasper. The team lost two 2014 assistant coaches, goalkeepers coach Preston Burpo and staff assistant Enzo Concina. Prior to the Superdraft, the team prepared to hire longtime MLS goalkeeper, former league All-Star and Maryland native Zach Thornton to replace Burpo.Goff Steven Thursday Kickaround https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2015/01/15/thursday-kickaround-18/ 17 January 2015 15 january 2015 The Washington Post Several D.C. United players were invited to participate in a January training camp for the United States men's national soccer team, including Perry Kitchen and Steve Birnbaum. 2014 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Bill Hamid had to decline because of a lingering shoulder injury. The big offseason news for the team, however, did not involve players or the coaching staff. At the end of 2014, the team culminated years of searching for a site to construct a new stadium. The team's long efforts were rewarded in December 2014, with the passage of legislation by the D.C. City Council that committed the city to spend as much as $150 million to acquire and prepare the necessary land at Buzzard Point, which would be leased to the team for at least 30 years.Goff Steven D.C. United stadium approval improves its playing filed in many ways https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2014/12/17/d-c-united-stadium-approval-improves-its-playing-field-in-mls-in-many-ways/ 17 January 2015 The Washington Post 17 December 2014 The team was prepared to build a stadium on the site for another $150 million. The bill was signed into law by the outgoing Mayor Vincent C. Gray, in his final days in office.DeBonis Mike Soccer stadium bills are signed as MayorMayor Vincent Gray closes out term https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/mike-debonis/wp/2014/12/30/soccer-stadium-bills-are-signed-as-mayor-vincent-gray-closes-out-term/ 17 January 2015 The Washington Post 30 December 2014 D.C. United hoped to move into its new 'soccer-specific' stadium for the 2017 season, and prepared to play the team's final 2 seasons in RFK Stadium. February D.C. United acquired Michael Farfan with its MLS Allocation signing spot and soon after released Driver and Metzger from the team. The team travelled to Austin, Texas where the Austin Aztex hosted a friendly 4-team tournament, the ATX Pro Challenge. D.C. managed to win this tournament by beating the host team with a pair of early goals in the semifinals, and then beating runner-up FC Dallas in the finals. The team won a bronze armadillo trophy for their efforts. After the tourney, David Estrada was released from the team and undrafted goalkeeper Travis Worra was signed to provide depth at the position after Willis' departure. The team travelled to Costa Rica to fight Alajuelense in the quarterfinals of the CCL. Bill Hamid struggled with a back issue and stayed home while backup Andrew Dykstra was given the starting job. Unfortunately, several errors by Dykstra and the defense led D.C. United to a horrendous 2–5 defeat. March Despite a great effort to dig themselves out of a three-goal deficit, a lack of successful finishes and an accidental Own Goal by Chris Korb meant D.C. United would be knocked out of the CCL on a 4–6 aggregate score. The match was also notable for the referee handing out a combined nine yellow cards to both sides. Regular season After the MLS and the MLS Players Union managed to sign a new CBA, the team successfully opened the 2015 MLS season with a 1–0 win at home against the Montreal Impact. Fabian Espindola, Eddie Johnson and Luis Silva were all unable to play in the match, heavily draining DC's offense. The newly added Jairo Arrieta started at forward alongside a healthy Chris Pontius and scored the first goal of the season for the team. Following a bye week, DC United traveled to New Jersey to fight the rival New York Red Bulls. Unfortunately, an anemic offense and poor marking by the DC backline led to a dispiriting 2-0 defeat. DC returned home to fight the defending MLS Champions, the LA Galaxy, in RFK. Sophomore center back Steve Birnbaum landed awkwardly on his ankle and had to be taken off the field in the fifth minute of play as Kofi Opare got his first league cap in a DC United uniform. Just as it appeared the game would end in a scoreless draw, at the very last minute of the match, Nick DeLeon broke free down the right wing and sent in a cross to Pontius, who fought off his own defender to head the ball past the keeper for a 1–0 victory. April A similar scenario would unfold in the very next match against Orlando City SC. Orlando had an advantage in ball possession and shots on goal, but Hamid's excellent saves would earn him another clean sheet. Silva, who finally returned from his preseason injury as a substitute, bent a direct free kick into the opposing net in stoppage time and secured a 1–0 victory for DC. When DC United returned home following the Orlando match, press reports emerged that Eddie Johnson's career was in jeopardy because of a heart defect. Although the team continued official radio silence on the issue, the Washington Post eventually reported that Johnson would no longer continue to be paid by the team. Outstanding issues remained to be negotiated before this would be officially confirmed. These issues included whether DC would be allowed to sign a replacement using the salary cap space budgeted to Johnson's contract.Eddie Johnson unlikely to play again https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2015/04/10/eddie-johnson-unlikely-to-play-again/ 2023-08-07 The Washington Post On the pitch, things continued fairly brightly for the team, which finished the month atop both the Eastern Conference and overall MLS standings based on most points per game. Despite squandering second-half leads at home against both the New York Red Bulls and the Houston Dynamo, United did not lose in April. Against New York, DC, took a 2–0 lead on a pair of goals by Perry Kitchen. The Red Bulls came back to get a point, culminating the comeback as Lloyd Sam knocked in a rebound when Hamid could not control a Sacha Kljestan free kick. In the next match, against the Dynamo, United's Chris Rolfe scored on a free kick from almost the same spot that the Red Bulls took their game-tying free-kick in the previous match. Once again, though, the defense failed to prevent a late goal on a tap-in following a rebound allowed by the DC goalie, This time it was Andrew Dykstra who was in the net, unable to prevent the tying goal. After the successive disappointing home draws, DC United finished the month with a surprising win in Vancouver, a first ever for the franchise. The Whitecaps opened the scoring in that match with a goal on their first foray forward, but DC responded with a goal by Bobby Boswell to knot the score. Just before halftime, Fabian Espindola, drew a foul along with a second yellow card for Whitecaps player, Matias Laba. Espindola was making his MLS season debut after serving a 6-game suspension. Playing with a man-advantage, United took the lead in the second half on a goal by Chris Rolfe. Defending the lead was made more challenging when goalie Andrew Dykstra injured his ankle and had to be subbed off. Dykstra was playing because Bill Hamid was back in Washington, missing his second straight match, nursing a thigh injury. Rookie Travis Worra came on to make his MLS debut, manning the goal as United held on for a 2–1 win. May The winning ways continued for United with three home games to start the month. In the first, United defeated the Columbus Crew 2–0, with two first half goals. The first came on a shot by Espindola that finished off a play that began with a 40-yard run by Rolfe, who got the assist on a perfectly weighted pass through the Crew defense. Espindola had the assist on the second goal with a corner kick to the far post when Sean Franklin volleyed for the goal. Back in goal for this game, Hamid earned yet another shutout. United's impressive home unbeaten streak continued a week later, with a 1–1 draw against Sporting Kansas City. A long pass from Perry Kitchen found Pontius, who chested the ball into the path of Jairo Arrieta, and Arrieta's shot found the back of the net. United gave away the lead about a minute later, just before halftime, as a cross by Sporting's Roger Espinoza found the foot of Dom Dwyer for the tying goal. Four nights later, United again defended Fortress RFK, against MLS debutantes, Orlando City SC. Missing star striker Espindola due to injury, United started slowly and Orlando capitalized as rookie Cyle Larin, the first pick in the 2015 MLS Superdraft, pounced on a loose ball in the box and beat goalie Bill Hamid. However, United was able to rally with two goals over the final 20 minutes to come away with a 2–1 win and regain the lead in the Supporters Shield race. A free kick by Taylor Kemp found the head of Opare, who was starting in place of the injured Birnbaum. Rolfe got the game-winner, stretching his leg out to get on the end of a cross by Arrieta, and tipping it in for the goal that sent the crowd into a frenzy. An eight-game unbeaten streak came to a gut-wrenching end in Philadelphia. Despite playing an unfamiliar midfield that included Markus Halsti and Miguel Aguilar getting their first starts ever for United, and Michael Farfan in his second start, United seemed headed to an earning a point with a scoreless draw against the Philadelphia Union. After using all three substitutions, United was suddenly shorthanded in the game's final minutes, when Silva left the match because of a hamstring injury. In the 3rd minute of stoppage time, Zach Pfeffer got the winning goal for the Union. Traveling to Foxboro the next weekend to play the New England Revolution, United seemed headed to a dispiriting second straight loss, trailing 1-0 at halftime. When two players were shown red cards early in the second half, there was reason to expect United to rally and take the 3 points. Nonetheless, the team struggled to generate good chances. Desperate to find the tying goal, Coach Olsen even turned to a new player, Facundo Coria, who had been signed only the week before. Coria reward the move, sending a pass to Kemp in the left corner, and Kemp's cross found the foot of the streaking Arrieta, who scored the equalizing goal in a 1–1 draw that kept United on top of the Eastern Conference. United finished a hugely challenging road trip, playing the 3rd straight road game over an 8-day span, against the Portland Timbers. Because of injuries and tired legs, Olsen rolled out a decidedly second-choice lineup that featured a midfield consisting of Halsti, Aguilar, Jared Jeffrey and Luke Mishu. These players had a combined two starts in prior matches. Jeffrey was making only his second appearance in 2015 for United, and Mishu was not only starting for the first time, but making his first ever appearance in an MLS match. The makeshift lineup played surprisingly well, especially in the second half, but an early turnover by Kemp led to the game's only goal, as United left Portland empty-handed, with a 1–0 loss. United closed out the month with another uplifting comeback in RFK. A 2–1 win over the Union extended United's home unbeaten streak to a team-record tying 19 games. Despite falling behind in the first 5 minutes for the second time in 4 nights, United was able to knot the score on a header by Pontius just before halftime, on another great cross into the box by Kemp. The winning goal came on a penalty kick taken by Rolfe in the 85th minute, leaving United where it began the month, on top of the Eastern Conference. June The first match for United in June saw yet another roaring comeback for the home side, setting a new team record by stretching the home unbeaten streak to 20 games. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/espindola-arrives--and-just-in-time-for-dc-united-in-3-1-win-over-fire/2015/06/03/e83e5b30-0a61-11e5-951e-8e15090d64ae_story.html Espindola arrives — and just in time for D.C. United in 3-1 win over Fire - The Washington Post The Washington Post The Chicago Fire faced another patchwork lineup from United. Birnbaum made his first start ever at left back with both Kemp and Korb out for injuries. Silva (who had not played since the injury he suffered in Philadelphia), Pontius and Hamid were also late scratches, and Rolfe was out on a game suspension for a kick to the chest of an opposing player that was caught on video during the prior game against the Union. Goalie Dykstra saved a first half penalty kick, but the Fire went out ahead a minute later on a goal by David Accam. Halftime substitution Fabian Espindola engineered a comeback win in his comeback from injury. Arrieta got the tying goal on a header off a corner by Espindola. The go-ahead goal was also scored by Arrieta, and the final goal in a 2–1 United win came on a cross by Espindola that was redirected into the net by Conor Doyle, for his first goal of the season. Two unlikely streaks ended 3 nights later at RFK Stadium. DC United had surrendered the first goal in each of the preceding six games, but that streak ended when an early goal by Steve Birnbaum gave DC United a 1–0 lead against Toronto FC. However, Toronto's highly regarded Designated Player Sebastian Giovinco tallied a first half goal to knot up the score. In the 83rd minute, Giovinco again beat United's second-string goalkeeper, Dykstra, this time from distance, to earn all 3 points for the visiting team. The home defeat was the first for United since dropping a game to the Sounders nearly a year earlier in June 2014. United's home unbeaten streak ended at 20 games, but the team still held on to first place in the Eastern Conference. A week later, the team traveled to Orlando where they fell by a 1–0 scoreline, marking the first time in 2015 that D.C. United lost two consecutive games. The decisive blow came on a penalty kick that followed a very controversial call against Taylor Kemp. Bill Hamid was actually able to deny the PK shot by the legendary former FIFA Player of the Year Kaka, but Kaka was able to pounce on the loose ball and knock it in for the decisive score. Despite the team's sudden struggles on the field, fans got great news about the franchise's future stadium. Speculation had arisen in early June about meetings with Virginia officials about a possible move to Loudoun County, but the team and the District of Columbia government soon announced that they had agreed to the final terms on the proposed deal for a stadium in the District's Buzzard Point neighborhood, which was to be completed for the 2018 season.O'Connell Jonathan United, District reach final terms on stadium deal https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/digger/wp/2015/06/08/officials-united-district-reach-final-terms-on-stadium-deal Washington Post July 26, 2015 June 8, 2015 United made their debut in the 2015 U.S. Open Cup three nights after the loss in Orlando, with the team's first ever trip to the Steel City to face the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Pittsburgh proved to be a tough opponent, taking their MLS opposition into extra time, but D.C. United prevailed with two goals in the overtime period, to win 3–1, on goals by Coria, Opare and Deleon. United returned to RFK four nights later, where they rediscovered their home field winning ways, with yet another striking comeback, to defeat the New England Revolution, by a now very familiar 2–1 score. United fell behind in the first half, when one-time D.C. United striker, Charlie Davies put the visitors in front in the 10th minute. The home team struggled for much of the game, but salvaged a win on 2 second-half goals by Chris Rolfe. Espindola had the assist on the first goal, and Rolfe's game-winner came on a penalty kick. Fixture congestion forced Coach Ben Olsen to use a decidedly second-choice lineup on a midweek trip to Chicago, but the visiting team came away with a surprising 1–0 victory. The game-winner was scored in the 73rd minute, when Conor Doyle struck an absolute cannon of a shot that was probably the team's most impressive goal of the year to that point. United remained on the road with a trip to Toronto at the end of that week. The teams played to a 0-0 scoreless draw in very adverse weather conditions, with rain and very heavy winds. Despite being outplayed, United nearly won the game in the last minute, but Jairo Arrieta's bid for Goal of the Year, a bicycle attempt, was frantically tipped over the bar by Toronto FC goalie, Chris Konopka. The draw in Toronto extended the team's Eastern Conference lead to 11 points, though United had played more games than any other Eastern Conference team. The team also led the Supporters Shield race by 3 points, but the team below them in the table, Vancouver Whitecaps FC held 2 games in hand. United closed out June with another U.S. Open Cup match, at Philadelphia. The continued fixture congestion meant coach Olsen continued with his rotation and trotted out a nearly fully second choice lineup, with only one regular, defender Steve Birnbaum. Despite the disparity in lineup strength, United struck first. Shortly after Philadelphia Union striker C.J. Sapong was shown a red card, United exploited the man advantage with Arrieta scoring on a deflected cross from rookie Miguel Aguilar. Though they were down a man, the Union soon dominated much of the ensuing play, and won the game on two second half goals, eliminating D.C. from the 2015 Open Cup competition. July Given the team's recent offensive struggles, United fans might have thought they caught a break on the timing of a cross-country trip to face Seattle Sounders FC. The Sounders were playing without stars Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins, but United were soon without their starting forwards, in fairly short order, too. Once again, Luis Silva had to leave a game because of muscle injury, this time in the 5th minute. About 20 minutes later, the team was also down a man, after Espindola was shown a straight red card, for a retaliatory elbow. Despite conceding a man advantage, United held strong until a cannon shot Goal-of-the-Week game-winner off the foot of fullback Tyrone Mears in the 88th minute, against back-up netminder, Dykstra. Despite the loss, United remained atop the Supporters Shield standings, just 3 points ahead of the Sounders. United also had a two-week break to nurse a number of injured players to health in advance of a trip to Dallas. The injured list included Silva, Pontius, Franklin, Farfan and Hamid. The news was especially disappointing regarding Hamid, who was leading the league in several categories, despite battling a few injuries. It was announced that Hamid had undergone surgeries on his knee and hand, and would miss another 4–6 weeks. 2 days before the Dallas game, DC United also announced the trade of Luis Silva to Real Salt Lake in exchange for the Costa Rican striker Alvaro Saborio. While Saborio's addition seemed promising for a team desperate to find a goal-scorer, he could not yet join his new club, because Costa Rica was still involved in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. United's match against FC Dallas followed a troubling pattern that was becoming all-too familiar for United. Playing without the suspended Espindola in addition to all the missing, injured players, the DC side had little possession or attack, leaving the defense and goalie Andrew Dykstra under regular pressure. The United dam finally broke in the 73rd minute with a goal by Kellyn Acosta. United seemingly had managed to claim a draw and a point a few minutes later when Taylor Kemp's attempted cross to Arrieta was knocked into the Dallas net by an FC Dallas defender. However, once again, United's stout defense folded in the final minutes, allowing a stoppage-time winner by Fabian Castillo. In United's next match, home cooking seemed to make all the difference, as the team won 3–2 on their return to RFK for United's first home match in 5 weeks. Playing at home in front of over 19,000 fans was probably a boost to the team, but an even bigger boost might have been the sight of the team's new striker tandem of Espindola and Saborio. The game started horribly for the home side as the Philadelphia Union scored in the first and fourth minute to take what might have seemed a commanding 2–0 lead. United began to claw their way back into the game as Saborio scored on his United debut, with a 37th minute volley of a Korb cross. The game was tied midway through the second half when Nick DeLeon finished a rebound of an Espindola shot. D.C. United finally went ahead on an Espindola header, with Chris Korb getting his second assist of the match. DeLeon's goal was his first in over a year in a regular season match. August August began explosively for D.C. United, with United defeating visitors Real Salt Lake in a wild 6–4 shooting gallery of a game. As they did the previous weekend at home, United surrendered an extremely early goal, this time in the second minute. Once again, United also soon gave up another goal, falling behind 2–0 before rallying to victory. Rolfe scored unassisted from about 7 yards before halftime. Chris Rolfe tied the score in the second half, on a penalty kick that set off an incredible spree of goals. Five minutes after Rolfe's penalty kick evened the score, Taylor Kemp put the home team in front with a prodigious one-time strike on a loose ball from about 25 yards. The visitors evened the score only 3 minutes later with a header for goal on a free kick taken by Javier Morales. The tie score lasted about a minute, as Fabian Espindola was credited with a goal as he stretched to try and connect with a loose rebound, following a shot by Alvaro Saborio. RSL defender Justen Glad attempted to clear the loose ball off the line, but his attempted clearance hit Espindola's outstretched leg and the ball crossed the line before the defense could react. Once again, United failed to protect the lead, as RSL's Morales again picked apart the defense and earned his second assist within 6 minutes. This time, the tie score lasted for 11 minutes as Kemp served in a cross after a short corner kick, with Perry Kitchen getting on the end of the cross, heading it for the game-winning goal, in the 79th minute. Six minutes later, Nick DeLeon knifed through the RSL defense and blasted a long-range shot for an unassisted goal, capping off the 6–4 win. The six goals scored by United were the most the team had scored since a game in 2004, tying the team's all-time record mark. The combined 10 goals were also the most in any MLS game since 2004, a total that had been exceeded only once in league history. The win put D.C. United back on top of the Supporters Shield standings. Several teams held games in hand and the chance to catch United in that race, but only FC Dallas had earned more points per game played. United's next match was on the road, against Montreal Impact, and the game could not have been more different than the nearly record-setting 6-4 shootout in United's prior game at home against RSL. The surprising, quick return from injury by goalie Bill Hamid and the sprained knee injury suffered by Fabian Espindola during training the day before the match virtually guaranteed that United would play a cautious, defensive-minded game. Statistics from the game bore that out, as United was outshot 25–1 by the home team, and possession was more than 2–1 in the Impact's favor. Amazingly though, United emerged with a 1–0 victory, thanks to strong goalkeeping and a first-half goal by Rolfe that finished off a play assisted by Arrieta's high pressure. Arrieta forced a turnover by the Montreal defense and directed the ball to Rolfe who scored what proved to be the game-winner on United's only shot of the game. United became the first team ever to win an MLS match having recorded only one shot all game.Goff Steven Bill Hamid Stars in D.C, United's 1-0 Victory at Montreal https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2015/08/09/bill-hamid-stars-in-d-c-uniteds-1-0-victory-at-montreal-match-report-video/ The Washington Post 12 August 2015 The road trip continued with a midweek at Yankee Stadium, United's first match there and first ever match against NYCFC. As in Montreal, United capitalized on first half defensive error, this time by Italian footballing legend Andrea Pirlo, to take a first-half lead. Rolfe intercepted a pass by Pirlo, raced toward goal and found Saborio in front of goal, waiting to finish. However, United turned in one of its poorest 45 minutes of soccer in the second half, surrendering 3 goals, despite a pair of spectacular saves by Hamid, and United's 3-game winning streak came to a crashing end. United not only lost the game, but also lost Korb to a season-ending ACL knee injury. The next 3 matches for United saw Olsen go to a tried-and-true rotation. United opened up its 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League campaign in Panama, as a squad of reserves weathered consistent pressure by Arabe Unido to emerge with a 1–0 win on a late goal by Miguel Aguilar. The goal was Aguilar's first professional goal, coming off a spectacular no-look back-heel pass by Michael Farfan. The team returned home for an MLS match with San Jose Earthquakes, and the first team's struggles continued in a 2–0 loss, played without star goalie Hamid, whose post-surgical knee kept him out of the lineup. Hamid and the other regulars were not needed in the next game, a CONCACAF Champions League match @ RFK against a Jamaican side that was still in preseason form. United defeated Montego Bay United F.C. 3–0, on goals by Aguilar, Opare and Doyle, and two assists for Farfan. As the team closed out August, United continued to struggle mightily. Bill Hamid was back in goal as the team made a trip to the New York Red Bulls home field. Without Espindola though, United's attack remained absolutely toothless. NYRB dominated the midfield, perhaps in part because United was playing without Arnaud, who had suffered a concussion against San Jose. Hamid made some pivotal saves early on, but the floodgates eventually opened as the Red Bulls repeatedly sliced through the United defence, utterly dominating the contest which finished 3–0 in favour of NYRB. The loss left United clinging to a 2-point lead in the Eastern Conference, but NYRB held 3 games in hand. September September began with a familiar feel for D.C. United fans. After almost a two-week break that saw the Red Bulls pass United in the standings and seize first place in the Eastern Conference, D.C. United traveled to Denver to face Colorado Rapids. Even with Espindola back in the lineup, United's offense continued to struggle to string together any passes or to generate scoring chances. The Rapids went out to a first half lead when defender Bobby Burling capitalized on a poor clearance by Saborio with a shot that sneaked past Hamid. United managed to rescue a point and snap their 3-game MLS losing streak when Steve Birnbaum finished off a free kick play with a header for a late goal that gave United a 1–1 draw. The result drew United into a numerical tie for first place, but the Red Bulls had played 3 fewer games. Perhaps more importantly, the result in Colorado left United one point of ahead of Columbus Crew SC, with the two teams scheduled to face each other the following weekend in Washington, D.C. If the first team continued to struggle in MLS play, the reserves continued United's good fortune and winning streak in CONCACAF Champions League play. United won its seventh straight group play match over two years, with a 2–0 home-field win over Arabe Unido. Conor Doyle got United on the board in the first minute off an assist from Pontius, and Jeffrey doubled the lead later in the match with a header off a corner kick taken by Coria. The 2–0 clinched first place in the group, sending United through once more to the knockout stages to be played in 2016. Even a return to RFK Stadium was not enough to cure whatever had been ailing United over the last 2 or 3 months of league play. United fell behind 2–0 against Columbus, but an attempt at a late rally came up short. A penalty kick by Rolfe put United on the scoreboard. Later, Saborio appeared to have tied the score in the 84th minute, off a through pass by Pontius, but the Costa Rican was controversially ruled offside. The result vaulted the Crew to the top of the standings in the Eastern Conference, while United slipped to 4th place. With dreams of MLS hardware slipping away, D.C. United still had top position in CONCACAF Champions League group play, which the team locked down in their final group match of 2015, a 3–3 draw in Jamaica, against Montego Bay United. The Jamaican side jumped out to an early lead when a quick restart caught out a really makeshift D.C. defence, that included Aguilar making his first start as a fullback, and Jalen Robinson making his first start as a center back. That goal was Montego Bay's first ever tally in CCL play. The home side extended the lead 3 minutes later and took what appeared to be a commanding 3-0 lead early in the second half on a penalty kick, after a phantom foul call against midfielder Jared Jeffrey. D.C. however rallied, with goals by Arrieta and Opare, and earned a draw and a point, when Michael Farfan collected a loose ball deep into stoppage time and aimed his shot into the top corner of the goal. The draw was the first CCL group match that D.C. United didn't win over the last two entries into CONCACAF play, but it did extend their CCL group play unbeaten streak to 8 games and left the team with 10 points, waiting to learn their seeding and knockout round opponent when Champions League play resumes in 2016. Needing only one win to clinch a playoff spot, D.C. United's five-game MLS winless streak stretched to six games when the Montreal Impact's new star addition, Didier Drogba scored twice early in the first half, and United's anemic attack failed to answer. The loss left United only 3 points ahead of the Impact, who still held the final playoff slot, but also having played two fewer games than D.C. Toronto FC held the 5th slot, 2 points behind D.C. Orlando City SC remained outside of the playoff seedings, in seventh place, 7 points behind D.C., with 3 games remaining for both teams. October New York City FC made their first trip to RFK Stadium, and the debutante side proved to be the tonic that D.C. United needed to break their spirit-crushing winless streak, which had begun at NYCFC's home field seven games earlier. When the game began, it seemed that United's losing ways were destined to continue. At the 45-second mark, Frank Lampard followed up the rebound of a David Villa shot, and gave the visitors a very early 1-0 lead. It was not even the first time this season that United had fallen behind in the first minute, but that knowledge was probably little comfort. Over the next 70 minutes, both teams squandered chances, but D.C. finally broke through when Espindola scored off of a rebound that came when NYCFC goalie Josh Saunders made a diving stop on a long-range strike by Chris Pontius. In stoppage time, Pontius was dragged down making a long run, setting up a free kick for the home team. Espindola's service found its way to substitute Saborio, after a misplay by a NYCFC defender. Saborio delivered with a memorable game-winner for D.C. The 2–1 victory, D.C. United's first ever win over NYCFC, not only ended almost two months of frustration for the team, it also clinched a playoff spot for the team. This would be the first time since 2006 and 2007 that United would qualify for the playoffs in each of two consecutive seasons. D.C. United's sudden turn in fortunes continued in the team's final home regular-season match, against cellar-dwelling Chicago Fire. United broke through late in the first half, when Pontius won a race, beating two defenders and the Fire's goalie, Jon Busch to the ball and then rounding the goalie and slotting home the first goal. Midway through the second half, Boswell scored with a header on a corner kick taken by Espindola. A few minutes later, Espindola got his own goal, with an assist to DeLeon, when a sharply taken shot was deflected just inside the near post. A 4-0 scoreline was completed when a deflected shot came to Saborio in the 6-yard box, and the Costa Rican striker's shot beat the Fire 'keeper. The four-goal margin was the team's largest margin of victory since August 2011. The team would close out the regular season in Columbus, part of MLS' first Decision Day. Going into this final day, United held a one-point lead over Columbus for second place in the Eastern Conference, but four teams would be playing with a chance at claiming second place and a bye through the first round of MLS playoffs. That prize would depend on the results in Columbus and in a match being played at the same time between visiting Montreal and host Toronto. As United geared to play the MLS regular season finale, CONCACAF group play concluded. Thanks to a goal surrendered by the Los Angeles Galaxy on the last kick of their game in Guatemala, D.C. United would carry the #2 seed into the CONCACAF quarterfinals, matching them against the #7 seed, Queretaro F.C. in early 2016. The regular season concluded with the match in Columbus, and the result matched the all-time worst in United's team history. The United attack hardly ever threatened, but it was shoddy work by the back line that really did in the team, as a 5-0 loss dropped the team into 4th place. That left United as host for a midweek 'play-in' match at home against a New England Revolution team that finished the season with a convincing 3-1 win at NYCFC. On a rainy day in the D.C. area, one of the smallest crowds of the year turned out to watch what proved to be one of the most entertaining games in the MLS season. Typical of the 2015 edition of the team, D.C. United fell behind in the first 15 minutes, but it was hard to fault the quality of a spectacular bicycle goal by New England's Juan Agudelo. Following the goal, the Revolution continued to press but Hamid was able to keep United in the match with some big saves. United leveled the score on a free kick in the 45th minute, as Pontius scored on a header set-up by Espindola's service. Pontius would have to leave the game in the second half, due to hamstring tightness. The D.C. team missed a chance to go ahead in the 75th minute, when Rolfe failed to convert a penalty kick, striking the inside of the post. Rolfe, however, got redemption, scoring in the 83rd minute, finishing off a cutback centering pass from Espindola, DeLeon was also credited with an assist for his nifty back-heel that set-up Espindola's run to the end line. Another spectacular save by Hamid denied a header bid by Revolution's Jermaine Jones in the late-going. The game ended on a controversial note, as Jermaine Jones was shown a red card for grabbing the referee while protesting the decision not to award a penalty kick for an apparent handball against United defender Sean Franklin in the 92nd minute. United had led the league with 8 comeback victories during the regular season, so the comeback win was a fitting way to kick off the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs. In the conference semifinal series, United would face their arch-rival, the New York Red Bulls. With the first game at home, United still had to overcome the sudden loss of 2 starters—Pontius to a hamstring injury, and Boswell, who was given a one-game suspension for an off-the-ball incident during the Revolution match. The team was also without Arnaud, who hadn't played in over two months, suffering the lingering effects of a concussion, and Jeffrey, who had suffered facial fractures in training a couple of weeks earlier. November The semifinal series was very typical of the way D.C United played throughout the second half of the season. The attack, such as it was, generated a handful of chances at best, and United became the first team in league history to fail to record a shot on goal as the home team in a playoff match. The passing accuracy was the 3rd worst for any MLS team in any game since 2010. The Red Bulls dominated possession and finally broke through in the second half as one-time United player Dax McCarty headed home the winner in a 1-0 defeat for United. The return match didn't go much better for United. Again, the Red Bulls dominated possession, but thanks to some big saves by Hamid, United still had a chance to try and knot the series as the game drifted into stoppage time. The Red Bulls, however, would finish off United's 2015 season, with a counter-attack goal in stoppage time, scored by Bradley Wright-Phillips, giving NYRB a 2-0 aggregate series win. With the disappointing second half of the season, it was no surprise that DC United didn't take home any pos-season awards, in contrast to the 2014 season. Bill Hamid finished 3rd in voting for Goalkeeper of the Year, despite finishing first in voting among MLS club management. Although his save percentage made him the league leader, presumably the amount of time he missed for injuries played a factor in the voting, The team went into the offseason with a plan to keep the core together, announcing new deals for Saborio, Rolfe, Boswell and DeLeon, while discussions continued with Kitchen. December As the 2015 MLS season wound up, word emerged that DC United was completing a pair of trades. The player with the longest tenure with the club, the oft-injured and highly compensated Chris Pontius, was sent to the Philadelphia Union, in exchange for allocation money. To fill Pontius' slot, United sent allocation money to the Seattle Sounders in exchange for Lamar Neagle. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2015/12/07/d-c-united-announces-trades-chris-pontius-to-philadelphia-lamar-neagle-from-seattle/ D.C. United announces trades: Chris Pontius to Philadelphia, Lamar Neagle from Seattle - The Washington Post The Washington Post Non-competitive Preseason January 30 7:00p.m. EST Orlando City SC 1–1 Report D.C. United Rivas 67 Pontius 14 IMG Academy Bradenton, Florida D February 3 1:00p.m. EST D.C. United 0–0 Report Jönköpings Södra IF Arnaud 39Metzger 58, 58 72 34 IMG Academy Bradenton, Florida D February 6 12:00p.m. EST D.C. United 0–1 Malmö FF Driver 65Arrieta 88 Berget 45 IMG Academy Bradenton, Florida L February 20 FC Dallas 3–1 Report D.C. United Michel 0 23Hollingshead 27Pérez 24Zimmerman 52Castillo 79Akindele 88 pen. Arnaud 56Arrieta 61 62Espíndola 78 Frisco, Texas Toyota Stadium Armando Villarreal L ATX Pro Challenge Semifinals February 13 21:00 EST Austin Aztex 0–2 D.C. United Opare 4Aguilar 9Doyle 16Arnaud 85 Myers Stadium Austin, Texas W Final February 15 14:15 EDT FC Dallas 0–1 D.C. United Arnaud 13Rolfe 54Trialist 90 Myers Stadium Austin, Texas W Competitions Major League Soccer 2015 Major League Soccer season Overall MLS Table DCU 5 Eastern Conference Table DCU 5 Results summary 9 3 1 27 16 4 2 6 7 10 June 29, 2015 Match Results April 2016 Results by round table b Round Stadium H /A /H /A /H /H /A /H /H /H /A /A /A /H /H /H/A /H /A /A /A /A /H /H /A /A /H /A /A /H /A /H /H /A Result W /L /W /W /D /D /W /W /D /W /L /D /L /W /W /L /L/W /W /D /L /L /W /W /W /L /L /////// Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss June 29, 2015 Match Results April 2016 Match results 1 March 7 15:00 EDT D.C. United 1–0 Report Montreal Impact Arrieta 58 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 11,549 Mark Geiger W 2 March 22 17:00 EDT New York Red Bulls 2–0 Report D.C. United Wright-Phillips 25Sam 71Perrinelle 82 Boswell 78 Red Bull Arena Harrison, New Jersey 21,036 Alan Kelly L 3 March 28 19:00 EDT D.C. United 1–0 Report LA Galaxy Arnaud 46Boswell 89Pontius 90+3 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 14,462 Ismail Elfath W 4 April 3 19:00 EDT Orlando City 0–1 Report D.C. United Molino 27Ceren 66Rivas 83 Arnaud 60Silva 90+1 Citrus Bowl Orlando, Florida 32,822 Chris Penso W 5 April 11 19:00 EDT D.C. United 2–2 Report New York Red Bulls Kitchen 26 67Kemp 36 Grella 45Perrinelle 58, 68Sam 90 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 16,304 Jose Carlos Rivero D 6 April 18 19:00 EDT D.C. United 1–1 Report Houston Dynamo Rolfe 36Kitchen 50 Clark 9, 65 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 13,047 Jorge Gonzalez D 7 April 25 22:30 EDT Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1–2 Report D.C. United Morales 2, 2Adekugbe 9Laba 2 34 42 Boswell 9Rolfe 64Kitchen 84Farfan 88 BC Place Vancouver, British Columbia 21,000 David Gantar W 8 May 2 19:00 EDT D.C. United 2–0 Report Columbus Crew Espindola 15, 71Franklin 41, 90 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 13,107 Baldomero Toledo W 9 May 9 19:00 EDT D.C. United 1–1 Report Sporting Kansas City Arnaud 41Arrieta 42 Espinoza 9Dwyer 45Marín 81 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 16,221 Armando Villarreal D 10 May 13 20:00 EDT D.C. United 2–1 Report Orlando City SC Opare 70Rolfe 79Kemp 90+4 Larin 11Boden 60Avila 63 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 12,532 Jorge Gonzalez W 11 May 17 19:00 EDT Philadelphia Union 1–0 Report D.C. United Williams 31White 79Pfeffer 90+3Edu 90+4 Kemp 65 PPL Park Chester, Pennsylvania 16,853 Alan Kelly L 12 May 23 19:30 EDT New England Revolution 1–1 Report D.C. United Woodberry 26Davies 45+1Nguyen 2 45+2 58Tierney 0 52Jones 88 Franklin 75Arrieta 80Kitchen 86Arnaud 89 Gillette Stadium Foxborough, Massachusetts 15,216 Mark Geiger D 13 May 27 19:30 EDT Portland Timbers 1–0 Report D.C. United Urruti 5Paparatto 56Chara 76 Jeffrey 29Boswell 90+2 Providence Park Portland, Oregon 21,144 Chris Penso L 14 May 30 19:00 EDT D.C. United 2–1 Report Philadelphia Union Doyle 44Pontius 45+1 64Boswell 59Rolfe 85 pen. Le Toux 5Nogueira 63 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 16,284 Ted Unkel W 15 June 3 19:00 EDT D.C. United 3–1 Report Chicago Fire Halsti 30Espindola 57Arrieta 61 69Doyle 75 Jones 24Accam 28Polster 58 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 11,218 Edvin Jurisevic W 16 June 6 19:00 EDT D.C. United 1–2 Report Toronto FC Birnbaum 6, 87Kitchen 65Opare 88 Giovinco 34 83Creavalle 64Perquis 64Konopka 90+3 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 17,105 Jair Marrufo L 17 June 14 19:00 EDT Orlando City 1–0 Report D.C. United Kaká 30 Arnaud 23 Citrus Bowl Orlando, Florida 30,054 Jose Carlos Rivero L 18 June 21 17:00 EDT D.C. United 2–1 Report New England Revolution Rolfe 70 81 pen.Arnaud 78 Davies 10 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 17,213 Ismail Elfath W 19 June 24 20:30 EDT Chicago Fire 0–1 Report D.C. United Ritter 45Guly 79 Doyle 73Birnbaum 90 Toyota Park Bridgeview, Illinois 11,833 W 20 June 27 17:00 EDT Toronto FC 0–0 Report D.C. United Warner 53 Korb 54Aguilar 61Coria 89Arnaud 90+1 BMO Field Toronto, Ontario 16,382 Armando Villarreal D 21 July 3 23:00 EDT Seattle Sounders FC 1–0 Report D.C. United Scott 13Alonso 78Mears 88Neagle 90+1 Espíndola 0 27Doyle 58Kitchen 78 CenturyLink Field Seattle, Washington 40,410 l 22 July 18 23:00 EDT FC Dallas 2–1 Report D.C. United Acosta 73Castillo 90+2 90+2 Arrieta 77 90+4 Toyota Stadium Frisco, Texas 16,215 Allen Chapman L 23 July 26 17:00 EDT D.C. United 3–2 Report Philadelphia Union Saborío 37DeLeon 66Espíndola 79 Sapong 1Le Toux 4Mbu 68 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 19,125 Drew Fischer W 24 August 1 19:00 EDT D.C. United 6–4 Real Salt Lake Rolfe 42 54 pen.Kemp 59 90+1Espíndola 63Kitchen 79DeLeon 85 Plata 2Beckerman 21 70Glad 28Sandoval 53Maund 62Mansally 68 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 17,288 Baldomero Toledo W 25 August 8 17:00 EDT Montreal Impact 0–1 Report D.C. United Piatti 40Venegas 45Donadel 74 Rolfe 13Arnaud 64Franklin 78 Stade Saputo Montreal, Quebec 18,769 Sorin Stoica W 26 August 13 19:30 EDT New York City FC 3–1 Report D.C. United Facey 31McNamara 51 75Villa 80 81Poku 88 Saborio 36 Yankee Stadium New York, New York 28,262 Jorge Gonzalez L 27 August 22 19:00 EDT D.C. United 0–2 Report San Jose Earthquakes Wondolowski 4Salinas 52Godoy 89 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 20,043 Alan Kelly L 28 August 30 19:00 EDT New York Red Bulls 3–0 Report D.C. United Sam 33Wright-Phillips 42 64 Birnbaum 8Doyle 65 Red Bull Arena Harrison, New Jersey 22,645 Jair Marrufo L 29 September 12 21:00 EDT Colorado Rapids 1–1 Report D.C. United Burling 28Sanchez 65 Birnbaum 87 Dick's Sporting Goods Park Commerce City, Colorado 15,953 Sorin Stoica D 30 September 19 19:00 EDT D.C. United 1–2 Report Columbus Crew SC Birnbaum 51Kitchen 62Rolfe 68 pen.Kemp 90+2 Finlay 27Kamara 49Klute 72 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 19,033 Ted Unkel L 31 September 26 TBDEDT Montreal Impact 2–0 Report D.C. United Drogba 4 11 53Reo-Coker 66 DeLeon 49Birnbaum 50Doyle 62 Stade Saputo Montreal, Quebec 20,801 Jair Marrufo L 32 October 2 19:00 EDT D.C. United 2–1 Report New York City FC Franklin 66Espíndola 73Boswell 87Saborío 90+2 Lampard 1Wingert 31Mena 43Mix 54Allen 81Hernandez 90+1 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 21,517 Silviu Petrescu W 33 October 18 14:00 EDT D.C. United 4–0 Report Chicago Fire Pontius 39Boswell 67Espíndola 71Saborío 80 Gilberto 50Accam 77 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 20,104 Sorin Stoica W 34 October 25 17:00 EDT Columbus Crew SC 5–0 Report D.C. United McInerney 25 59Meram 54Finlay 66 67Schoenfeld 80 Kemp 58 Columbus Crew Stadium Columbus, Ohio 19,121 L MLS Cup Playoffs 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs Preliminary round October 28 TBD EDT D.C. United 2–1 http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-10-28-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-la-galaxy/boxscore New England Revolution Pontius 45Boswell 69Halsti 77Rolfe 83 Agudelo 15Farrell 44Jones 1 72 90+2 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 11,554 Mark Geiger W Conference semifinals First leg November 1 15:00 EDT D.C. United 0–1 http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-11-01-dc-united-vs-new-york-red-bulls/boxscore New York Red Bulls Espindola 75Saborio 77 McCarty 72Miazga 35Zubar 88Wright-Phillips 88 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 19,525 Fotis Bazakos L Second leg November 8 TBD EDT New York Red Bulls 1–0 2–0 http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-11-08-new-york-red-bulls-vs-dc-united/boxscore D.C. United Wright-Phillips 90+2Kljestan 74 Rolfe 25Kitchen 69 Red Bull Arena Harrison, New Jersey 25,219 Ted Unkel L CONCACAF Champions League 2014–15 season group stage 2014 D.C. United season Quarterfinals First leg February 26 22:00 EDT Alajuelense CRC 5–2 Report USA D.C. United Rodríguez 15 pen.Ortiz 22 54Venegas 27McDonald 90 Dykstra 14Espindola 24Arrieta 67Birnbaum 88 Alejandro Soto Stadium Alajuela, Costa Rica 17,895 MEX Roberto Garcia L Second leg March 4 20:00 EDT D.C. United USA 2–1 4–6 http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-03-04-dc-united-vs-alajuelense/boxscore CRC Alajuelense Birnbaum 11Kitchen 27Arrieta 36 37Korb 45+3Arnaud 63Espindola 88 pen. Venegas 11McDonald 45+3Korb 71 o.g.Alonso 81Acosta 88 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 8,137 GUA Walter López W 2015–16 season 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League Group stage August 19 1 20:00 EDT Arabe Unido PAN 0–1 Report USA D.C. United Gómez 59Cedeño 70 Doyle 76Aguilar 85 90 Maracanã Stadium Balboa, Panama 2,000 Karl Tyrell (Jamaica) W August 25 2 20:00 EDT D.C. United USA 3–0 Report JAM Montego Bay United Aguilar 37Opare 70Doyle 90Robinson 90+3 Ottey 42 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 2,000 Henry Bejarano (Costa Rica) W September 15 3 20:00 EDT D.C. United USA 2–0 Report PAN Arabe Unido Doyle 1Jeffrey 22 Caesar 26 RFK Stadium Washington, D.C. 3,000 W September 22 4 20:00 EDT Montego Bay United JAM 3–3 http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2015-09-22-montego-bay-united-vs-dc-united/boxscore USA D.C. United Woozencroft 27Williams 30 49 pen.Wilkinson 36Drake 71McBayne 72Barrett 88 Aguilar 56Arrieta 59Opare 78Farfan 90+3 Montego Bay Sports Complex Montego Bay, Jamaica 500 Yadel Martínez (Cuba) D knockout stage 2016 D.C. United season U.S. Open Cup 2015 U.S. Open Cup Fourth round June 17 19:00 EDT Pittsburgh Riverhounds Pennsylvania 1–3 yes Report Washington, D.C. D.C. United Vincent 23 pen., 116Flunder 41 Coria 8Arrieta 90+2Opare 92DeLeon 104Korb 112Aguilar 116 Highmark Stadium Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 3,988 W Fifth round June 30 19:00 EDT Philadelphia Union Pennsylvania 2–1 Washington, D.C. D.C. United Sapong 0 24Maidana 28Mbu 55Fabinho 79 Jeffrey 23Arrieta 27Birnbaum 30Mishu 37Doyle 84 PPL Park Chester, Pennsylvania 7,000 L Statistics Last updated: October 18, 2015 Appearances and goals MLS MLS Cup Playoffs U.S. Open Cup CONCACAF Champions League 2 Taylor Kemp DF USA 25+2 1 3+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 4 Markus Halsti MF FIN 12+2 0 3+0 0 2+0 0 2+1 0 5 Sean Franklin DF USA 23+1 1 2+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0 6 Kofi Opare DF GHA 17+1 1 1+0 0 2+0 1 4+0 2 7 Eddie Johnson FW USA 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 8 Davy Arnaud MF USA 21+2 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0 9 Álvaro Saborío FW CRC 9+3 4 2+1 0 0+0 0 2+0 0 10 Fabián Espíndola FW ARG 15+2 5 3+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 2 12 Michael Farfan MF USA 7+10 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 3+2 1 13 Chris Pontius FW USA 17+6 3 1+0 1 0+0 0 6+0 0 14 Nick DeLeon MF USA 25+4 2 3+0 0 0+1 1 2+0 0 15 Steve Birnbaum DF USA 21+1 2 3+0 0 1+0 0 4+1 1 17 Miguel Aguilar MF MEX 4+13 0 0+2 0 2+0 0 3+2 3 18 Chris Rolfe FW USA 30+1 10 3+0 1 0+1 0 1+1 0 19 Jairo Arrieta FW CRC 15+12 5 0+1 0 2+0 1 5+1 2 20 Jalen Robinson DF USA 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0 4+0 0 21 Facundo Coria MF ARG 1+6 0 0+0 0 2+0 1 4+0 0 22 Chris Korb DF USA 17+1 0 0+0 0 0+1 0 1+0 0 23 Perry Kitchen MF USA 31+2 3 3+0 0 0+0 0 2+1 0 25 Jared Jeffrey MF USA 1+1 0 0+0 0 2+0 0 3+1 1 27 Collin Martin MF USA 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+4 0 28 Bill Hamid GK USA 24+0 0 3+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0 30 Conor Doyle FW IRL 10+15 2 0+1 0 2+0 0 2+3 3 32 Bobby Boswell DF USA 33+1 2 2+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0 34 Luke Mishu DF USA 2+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0 4+0 0 48 Travis Worra GK USA 0+1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 50 Andrew Dykstra GK USA 9+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0 5+0 0 |- |colspan="14"|Players who left the club during the middle of the season 11 Luis Silva MF USA 4+10 1 0+0 0 1+1 0 0+0 0 29 Michael Seaton FW JAM 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 |- |} Top scorers D.C. United May 2015 Rnk Ranking Pos Position No. Squad Number PlayerMLS SeasonMLS CupUSOC U.S. Open CupCCL CONCACAF Champions LeagueTotal1MF18USA Chris Rolfe 10 1 0 0 112FW19CRC Jairo Arrieta 5 0 0 3 83FW10ARG Fabian Espindola 5 0 0 2 74FW30USA Conor Doyle 2 0 0 3 55FW9CRC Alvaro Saborio 4 0 0 0 4M/F13USA Chris Pontius 3 1 0 0 4DF6USA Kofi Opare 1 0 1 2 48DF15USA Steve Birnbaum 2 0 0 1 3MF23USA Perry Kitchen 3 0 0 0 3MF14USA Nick DeLeon 2 0 1 0 3MF17MEX Miguel Aguilar 0 0 0 3 312DF32USA Bobby Boswell 2 0 0 0 213DF5USA Sean Franklin 1 0 0 0 1MF11USA Luis Silva 1 0 0 0 1DF2USA Taylor Kemp 1 0 0 0 1MF21ARG Facundo Coria 0 0 1 0 1MF25USA Jared Jeffrey 0 0 0 1 1MF12USA Michael Farfan 0 0 0 1 1 Top assists D.C. United May 2015 Rnk Ranking Pos Position No. Squad Number PlayerMLS SeasonMLS CupUSOC U.S. Open CupCCL CONCACAF Champions LeagueTotal1FW10ARG Fabian Espindola 7 2 0 1 102DF2USA Taylor Kemp 6 0 0 0 63MF14USA Nick DeLeon 5 0 0 0 5FW19CRC Jairo Arrieta 2 0 1 2 55MF18USA Chris Rolfe 4 0 0 0 4M/F13USA Chris Pontius 1 0 0 3 47MF8USA Davy Arnaud 3 0 0 0 3MF12USA Michael Farfan 1 0 0 2 39DF22USA Chris Korb 2 0 0 0 2MF21ARG Facundo Coria 1 0 0 1 2MF25USA Jared Jeffrey 0 0 1 1 212MF23USA Perry Kitchen 1 0 0 0 1FW30USA Conor Doyle 0 0 1 0 1 Disciplinary record #PositionNationalityNameMLS SeasonMLS CupU.S. Open CupCCLTotal 2 DF USA Taylor Kemp 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 4 D/M FIN Markus Halsti 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 5 DF USA Sean Franklin 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 6 DF USA Kofi Opare 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 7 FW USA Eddie Johnson 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 MF USA Davy Arnaud 8 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 9 0 9 FW CRC Alvaro Saborio 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 10 FW ARG Fabián Espíndola 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 11 MF USA Luis Silva 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 MF USA Michael Farfan 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 13 M/F USA Chris Pontius 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 14 MF USA Nick DeLeon 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 15 DF USA Steve Birnbaum 5 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 7 0 17 M/F MEX Miguel Aguilar 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 4 0 18 M/F USA Chris Rolfe 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 19 FW CRC Jairo Arrieta 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 4 0 20 DF USA Jalen Robinson 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 21 M/F ARG Facundo Coria 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 22 DF USA Chris Korb 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 0 23 MF USA Perry Kitchen 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 25 MF USA Jared Jeffrey 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 27 MF USA Collin Martin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 GK USA Bill Hamid 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 FW JAM Michael Seaton 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 FW USA Conor Doyle 5 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 7 0 32 DF USA Bobby Boswell 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 34 DF USA Luke Mishu 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 48 GK USA Travis Worra 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 GK USA Andrew Dykstra 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 Transfers In No.Pos.PlayerTransferred fromFee/notesDateSource3 MFMcNamara, Thomas USA Thomas McNamaraUSA Chivas USAAcquired from Chivas USA's Dispersal DraftNovember 19, 2014Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy selected first as MLS holds Chivas USA Dispersal Draft http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/11/19/expected-goalkeeper-dan-kennedy-goes-first-chivas-usa-dispersal-draft December 4, 2014 mlssoccer.com November 19, 2014 May 12, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150512022008/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/11/19/expected-goalkeeper-dan-kennedy-goes-first-chivas-usa-dispersal-draft dead3 MFDriver, Andrew ENG Andrew DriverUSA Houston DynamoAcquired in trade for Joe Willis and Samuel InkoomDecember 8, 2014 http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/12/08/mls-open-half-day-trade-window-start-offseason dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150123070233/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/12/08/mls-open-half-day-trade-window-start-offseason 2015-01-23 Trade Tracker: MLS half-day trade window to make for a busy post-MLS Cup Monday MLSsoccer.com43 D/MHalsti, Markus FIN Markus HalstiSWE Malmö FFFree TransferJanuary 12, 2015 http://www.dcunited.com/news/2015/01/dc-united-acquires-markus-halsti dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150112181146/http://www.dcunited.com/news/2015/01/dc-united-acquires-markus-halsti 2015-01-12 D.C. United acquires Markus Halsti D.C. United 194 FWArrieta, Jairo CRC Jairo ArrietaUSA Orlando City SCAcquired in trade for International Roster SpotJanuary 14, 2015 http://www.dcunited.com/news/2015/01/dc-united-acquires-jairo-arrieta dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150121021857/http://www.dcunited.com/news/2015/01/dc-united-acquires-jairo-arrieta 2015-01-21 D.C. United acquires Jairo Arrieta D.C. United174 FWAguilar, Miguel MEX Miguel AguilarUSA San Francisco DonsSelected in the 2015 MLS SuperDraftJanuary 15, 20153 MFMetzger, Dan USA Dan MetzgerUSA Maryland TerrapinsSelected in the 2015 MLS SuperDraftJanuary 15, 2015123 MFFarfan, Michael USA Michael FarfanMEX Cruz AzulMLS Allocation signingFebruary 10, 2015 http://www.dcunited.com/news/2015/02/dc-united-acquires-michael-farfan dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150210233617/http://www.dcunited.com/news/2015/02/dc-united-acquires-michael-farfan 2015-02-10 D.C. United acquires Michael Farfan D.C. United 483 GKWorra, Travis USA Travis WorraUSA New Hampshire WildcatsFebruary 25, 2015 http://www.dcunited.com/news/2015/02/dc-united-signs-travis-worra dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150227010551/http://www.dcunited.com/news/2015/02/dc-united-signs-travis-worra 2015-02-27 D.C. United signs Travis Worra D.C. United343 DFMishu, Luke USA Luke MishuUSA Notre Dame Fighting IrishMarch 6, 2015 http://www.dcunited.com/news/2015/03/dc-united-signs-luke-mishu dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150307204208/http://www.dcunited.com/news/2015/03/dc-united-signs-luke-mishu 2015-03-07 D.C. United signs Luke Mishu D.C. United213 M/FCoria, Facundo ARG Facundo CoriaARG Argentinos JuniorsFree TransferMay 18, 2015 http://www.dcunited.com/news/2015/05/dc-united-signs-forwardmidfielder-facundo-coria dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150518230154/http://www.dcunited.com/news/2015/05/dc-united-signs-forwardmidfielder-facundo-coria 2015-05-18 D.C. United signs forward/midfielder Facundo Coria D.C. United3 FWSaborío, Álvaro CRC Álvaro SaboríoUSA Real Salt LakeAcquired in trade for Luis SilvaJuly 16, 2015 http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/07/16/real-salt-lake-trade-all-time-leading-scorer-alvaro-saborio-dc-united-luis-s dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150718053157/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/07/16/real-salt-lake-trade-all-time-leading-scorer-alvaro-saborio-dc-united-luis-s 2015-07-18 Real Salt Lake trade all-time leading scorer Alvaro Saborio to DC United for Luis Silva MLSsoccer.com Out No.Pos.PlayerTransferred toFee/notesDateSource 311 GKWillis, Joe USA Joe WillisUSA Houston DynamoTradeDecember 8, 2014 212 DFInkoom, Samuel GHA Samuel InkoomUSA Houston DynamoTradeDecember 8, 2014 42 DFCAN Nana AttakoraUSA San Antonio ScorpionsOption declinedDecember 8, 2014 123 MFUSA Alex CaskeyRetiredOption declinedDecember 8, 2014 22 DFUSA Jeff ParkeRetiredOption declinedDecember 8, 2014 193 MFCAN Kyle PorterUSA Atlanta SilverbacksOption declinedDecember 8, 2014 173 MFUSA Conor ShanoskyUSA Louisville City FCOption declinedDecember 8, 2014 243 MFNeal, Lewis ENG Lewis NealUSA Orlando City SCSelected in the 2014 MLS Expansion DraftDecember 10, 2014Goff Stephen D.C. United loses Neal, McNamara in MLS expansion draft https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2014/12/10/d-c-united-loses-neal-mcnamara-in-mls-expansion-draft/ The Washington Post WashingtonPost.com December 18, 20143 MFMcNamara, Thomas USA Thomas McNamaraUSA New York City FCSelected in the 2014 MLS Expansion DraftDecember 10, 20143 MFDriver, Andrew ENG Andrew DriverSCO Aberdeen FCReleasedFebruary 11, 2015 https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2015/02/12/d-c-united-arrives-in-austin-for-second-phase-of-training-camp/?postshare=9551423717292888 D.C. United arrives in Austin for second phase of training camp - The Washington Post The Washington Post3 MFMetzger, Dan USA Dan MetzgerUSA New York Red Bulls IIReleasedFebruary 13, 2015 33 M/FEstrada, David USA David EstradaUSA Sacramento RepublicReleasedFebruary 20, 2015http://www.blackandredunited.com/dc-united-2015-season/2015/2/20/8077203/dc-united-cuts-david-estrada-from-preseason-camp DCU cuts David Estrada 20 February 2015 113 MFSilva, Luis USA Luis SilvaUSA Real Salt LakeTradeJuly 16, 2015294 WSeaton, Michael JAM Michael SeatonUSA Portland TimbersUndisclosedAugust 6, 2015Portland Timbers acquire forward Michael Seaton from D.C. United in exchange for targeted allocation money, international roster slot https://www.timbers.com/news/portland-timbers-acquire-forward-michael-seaton-dc-united-exchange-targeted Portland Timbers Portland Timbers 9 August 2015 Loan out No.Pos.PlayerLoaned toStartEndSource483 GKWorra, Travis USA Travis WorraUSA Richmond KickersMarch 20, 2015D.C. UNITED SENDS FOUR TO RICHMOND http://www.richmondkickers.com/home/868105.html Richmond Kickers Richmond Kickers March 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150324013753/http://www.richmondkickers.com/home/868105.html March 24, 2015 dead343 DFMishu, Luke USA Luke MishuUSA Richmond KickersMarch 20, 2015273 MFMartin, Collin USA Collin MartinUSA Richmond KickersMarch 20, 2015203 DFRobinson, Jalen USA Jalen RobinsonUSA Richmond KickersMarch 20, 2015293 FWSeaton, Michael JAM Michael SeatonSWE Örebro SKApril 2, 2015June 4, 2015http://www.blackandredunited.com/dc-united-transfers/2015/3/31/8323089/michael-seaton-loaned-to-orebro-sk-in-sweden Michael Seaton loaned to Orebro SK in Sweden 31 March 2015 http://oskfotboll.se/osk/aktuellt/nyheter-2015/2015-06-04-michael-seaton-lamnar-osk.html Michael Seaton lämnar ÖSK 173 MFAguilar, Miguel MEX Miguel AguilarUSA Richmond KickersApril 21, 2015 https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2015/04/21/d-c-united-news-and-notes-58/?postshare=2101429714549556 D.C. United news and notes - The Washington Post The Washington Post References Category:D.C. United seasons Dc United Dc United Category:2015 in sports in Washington, D.C. DC United