DC United: What to know about Wayne Rooney’s squad for the start of the 2023 MLS season

DC United are one of MLS’s most successful clubs. To be more precise, they are the league’s second most successful club after LA Galaxy, having won four MLS Cups and as many Supporters’ Shields in their 27 seasons in MLS (they are one of only seven clubs to have been in the competition that long).

When did DC United last win a trophy?

That all sounds great. But there’s one problem. In the last 15 years, they’ve won absolutely nothing, with their last MLS Shield coming in 2007 (their most recent MLS Cup triumph came three years before that). They have at least won a couple of US Open Cups and finished top of the Eastern Conference regular season standings in that time, but fans have been starved of success in recent years.

Since winning the Eastern Conference in 2014, the Black and Red have only finished in the overall top 10 on two occasions. Last season, with former player and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney coming in halfway through, was particularly difficult, with the club finishing dead last in the Eastern Conference and the overall table having lost 21 of their 34 matches.

Which players have left DC United?

It shouldn’t be too difficult to improve on that then, should it? A whole host of players – 13 have – left the club during the winter, which includes club legend Bill Hamid, who made 279 appearances in goal after making his debut in 2010. With Mexican David Ochoa also having departed, Rooney has had to move to sign a new starting goalkeeper. Norwegian striker Ola Kamara was a fairly regular scorer for the club but is now a free agent following the arrival midway through last season of Belgian international Christian Benteke, who will be the man they look to for goals in 2023.

Which players have DC United signed?

Midfieler Mateusz Klich is the headline signing. The Pole made 82 appearances in the Premier League for Leeds United between 2020 and 2022 and has been regularly involved with his national team. Hamid and Ochoa’s departures have been somewhat covered by the signing of experienced former LAFC and Minnesota United goalkeeper Tyler Miller in free agency. Brazilian right-back Ruan has also been snapped up in a trade from Orlando City, with the speedster a likely starter in a new-look defence, which could also feature Mohanad Jeahze (Hammerby, Sweden) and Derrick Williams (LA Galaxy), who the club have spent more than $1 million on.

Rodríguez blow for Rooney

With the season just a matter of hours away, Rooney has been dealt a blow by the news that Chilean winger Martín Rodríguez is expected to miss the entire season after suffering an ACL tear in training manner. The only saving grace is that a replacement player can be signed to the roster.

When is DC United’s first game of the 2023 MLS season?

DC United’s first game of the new MLS season sees them play host to Toronto on Sunday 26 February at Audi Field. That match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.

At a glance: DC United’s first five games