2016 D.C. United season

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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: Fabián Espíndola & Álvaro Saborío (3)
All: Fabián Espíndola & Álvaro Saborío (3)
Highest home attendance 16,236
(Apr. 16 vs. Vancouver)
Lowest home attendance League: 14,088
(Apr. 9 vs. Toronto)
All: 10,790
(Mar. 1 vs. Querétaro)
Average home league attendance League: 15,061
All: 14,451
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 Querétaro, 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 player's goals both assisted by Acosta late in the second half, to notch a 4-0 shutout. Unfortunately, the team's good fortune 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. Neagle opened the scoring for D.C. and Saborio closed it out with another late insurance goal, but the most memorable moment of the game came when Lucho Acosta scored a fabulous goal -- a long distance chip over the goalie that struck the bottom of the crossbar and went in the net for Acosta's first goal in a D.C. United uniform. The goal also earned Acosta the MLS Goal of the Week honor. United closed out the month on the road against the Chicago Fire. The Fire scored first on a free kick late in the first half, but D/C was able to level the score when Nyarko headed home a cross from Acosta.

May

Despite missing several key players, D.C. United started off the month of May expecting three points in a home match against cellar-dwelling NYCFC, but the team missed some good chances to score in the first half and the visiting team punished them with 2 goals early in the second half, the first by Spanish star David Villa and the second by Khiry Shelton. 5 days later, D.C. hosted the other team from the New York region, the potent New York Red Bulls The biggest home crowd of the season turned out for this rivalry match, and the home team responded with a strong overall effort. Nyarko sent Sarvas in on goal with a terrific through ball, and Sarvas unselfishly sent a pass across the goal to a waiting Saborio, who had an easy tap-in to take the lead. Worra delivered with several spectacular saves to maintain United's lead, and the team closed out the first half with a spectacular goal, as Neagle served up a sharp cross that Nyarko was able to turn into a goal with an impressive outside of the foot volley shot that sealed the 2-0 win.

The team also made a couple of personnel changes during that short home-stand, acquiring a young striker from Sierra Leone, via Sweden, Alhaji Kamara. Kamara had been ruled out from UEFA competition due to the discovery of a congenital heart defect that was deemed to pose risk to the striker's life. However, cardiologists hired by both D.C. United and MLS [3] decided Kamara was healthy enough to safely participate in the sport. To make room for Kamara, the team waived Clowes.

Days after an 0-1 loss to the Philadelphia Union, the team announced that they had mutually parted ways with Markus Halsti, just as he was called up to the Finnish national team. Halsti had been plagued by injuries and fitness concerns, and only appeared in one match for the team in 2016, as a substitute in the second leg of the CCL against Queretaro.

On the 27th, despite furious storms that nearly scuttled the match, D.C. United managed to sneak away with a victory when the newly-signed Kamara subbed in for Neagle in the 85th minute, and then scored his first goal for the team less than a minute later, giving his new team a 1-0 victory over Sporting KC.

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 (1985-05-12) 12 May 1985 (age 39)
28 Bill Hamid formerly HGP United States GK United States D.C. United Academy (1986-12-26) 26 December 1986 (age 37)
30 Charlie Horton United States GK England Leeds United (1994-09-14) 14 September 1994 (age 29)
48 Travis Worra United States GK United States New Hampshire Wildcats (1993-04-19) 19 April 1993 (age 31)
50 Andrew Dykstra United States GK United States Charleston Battery (1986-01-02) 2 January 1986 (age 38)
Defenders
2 Taylor Kemp United States LB / WB United States Maryland Terrapins (1990-07-23) 23 July 1990 (age 33)
5 Sean Franklin United States RB / WB United States LA Galaxy (1985-03-21) 21 March 1985 (age 39)
6 Kofi Opare Ghana CB United States LA Galaxy (1990-10-12) 12 October 1990 (age 33)
15 Steve Birnbaum formerly GA United States CB / RB United States California Golden Bears (1991-01-23) 23 January 1991 (age 33)
20 Jalen Robinson HGP United States CB / DM United States Wake Forest Demon Deacons (1994-05-08) 8 May 1994 (age 30)
22 Chris Korb United States RB / WB United States Akron Zips (1987-10-08) 8 October 1987 (age 36)
32 Bobby Boswell (C) United States CB United States Houston Dynamo (1983-03-15) 15 March 1983 (age 41)
34 Luke Mishu United States RB / CB United States Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1991-06-26) 26 June 1991 (age 33)
Midfielders
7 Marcelo Sarvas Brazil CM / AM United States Colorado Rapids (1981-10-16) 16 October 1981 (age 42)
11 Luciano Acosta Argentina AM / FW Argentina Boca Juniors (1994-05-31) 31 May 1994 (age 30)
12 Patrick Nyarko Ghana RW United States Chicago Fire (1986-01-15) 15 January 1986 (age 38)
13 Lamar Neagle United States LW / FW United States Seattle Sounders (1987-05-07) 7 May 1987 (age 37)
14 Nick DeLeon formerly GA United States CM / LM United States Louisville Cardinals (1990-07-17) 17 July 1990 (age 33)
25 Jared Jeffrey United States CM / AM Germany Mainz 05 (1990-07-14) 14 July 1990 (age 33)
26 Rob Vincent England CM United States Pittsburgh Riverhounds (1990-10-26) 26 October 1990 (age 33)
27 Collin Martin HGP United States CM United States Wake Forest Demon Deacons (1994-11-09) 9 November 1994 (age 29)
33 Julian Büscher GA Germany CM / AM United States Syracuse Orange (1993-04-22) 22 April 1993 (age 31)
41 Andrea Mancini Italy AM / FW Hungary Szombathelyi Haladás (1992-08-13) 13 August 1992 (age 31)
Forwards
9 Álvaro Saborío Costa Rica FW United States Real Salt Lake (1982-03-25) 25 March 1982 (age 42)
10 Fabián Espíndola DP Argentina FW / SS United States New York Red Bulls (1985-05-04) 4 May 1985 (age 39)
17 Miguel Aguilar Mexico FW / RW United States San Francisco Dons (1993-08-30) 30 August 1993 (age 30)
18 Chris Rolfe (VC) United States FW / LW United States Chicago Fire (1983-01-17) 17 January 1983 (age 41)
45 Alhaji Kamara Sierra Leone FW Sweden Norrköping (1994-04-16) 16 April 1994 (age 30)

Non-competitive

Preseason friendlies

Suncoast Invitational

Competitive

Major League Soccer

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Main article: 2016 Major League Soccer season

Results

U.S. Open Cup

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Main article: 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

CONCACAF Champions League

2015–16

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Main article: 2015–16 CONCACAF Champions League

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 [4]
12 FW Ghana Patrick Nyarko United States Chicago Fire Traded for SuperDraft pick January 6, 2016 [5]
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 [6]
26 MF England Rob Vincent United States Pittsburgh Riverhounds Undisclosed Fee February 17, 2016 [7]
30 GK United States Charlie Horton England Leeds United February 29, 2016 [8]
41 MF Italy Andrea Mancini Hungary Szombathelyi Haladás Free Transfer March 27, 2016 [9]
1 GK United States Tally Hall United States Orlando City April 1, 2016 [10]
45 FW Sierra Leone Alhaji Kamara Sweden Norrköping May 10, 2016 [11]

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 [12][13]
DF Isle of Man Liam Doyle United States Harrisburg City Islanders Released February 5, 2016 [14]
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 [15]
16 MF England Paul Clowes Waived May 10, 2016
4 MF Finland Markus Halsti Mutually-Terminated Contract May 25, 2016 [16]

Loan out

No. Pos. Player Loaned To Start End Source
27 MF United States Collin Martin United States Richmond Kickers March 23, 2016 [17]
20 DF United States Jalen Robinson United States Richmond Kickers March 23, 2016 [17]
16 MF England Paul Clowes United States Richmond Kickers March 23, 2016 May 10, 2016 [17]
30 GK United States Charlie Horton United States Richmond Kickers May 17, 2016 [18]
30 GK England Rob Vincent United States Pittsburgh Riverhounds May 25, 2016 [19]

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 May 27, 2016

Appearances and goals

No. Pos Nat Player Total MLS MLS Cup Playoffs U.S. Open Cup CONCACAF Champions League
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK United States Tally Hall 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
2 DF United States Taylor Kemp 15 0 13+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
5 DF United States Sean Franklin 15 0 13+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
6 DF Ghana Kofi Opare 2 0 2+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
7 MF Brazil Marcelo Sarvas 13 0 11+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
9 FW Costa Rica Álvaro Saborío 10 4 4+5 4 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0
10 FW Argentina Fabián Espíndola 12 3 6+4 3 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
11 MF Argentina Luciano Acosta 15 1 8+5 1 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+1 0
12 MF Ghana Patrick Nyarko 13 3 11+0 3 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
13 MF United States Lamar Neagle 13 2 13+0 2 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
14 MF United States Nick DeLeon 14 0 12+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
15 DF United States Steve Birnbaum 13 0 11+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
17 FW Mexico Miguel Aguilar 5 0 0+5 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 7 0 3+4 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
26 MF England Rob Vincent 8 0 1+5 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 1 0 1+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 15 0 13+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
33 MF Germany Julian Büscher 9 1 0+7 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
45 FW Sierra Leone Alhaji Kamara 1 1 0+1 1 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
48 GK United States Travis Worra 11 0 11+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
Players who left the club during the 2016 season
4 MF Finland Markus Halsti 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+1 0
16 MF England Paul Clowes 0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 0+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 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1
10 FW Fabian Espindola 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 1
12 MF Patrick Nyarko 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
13 M/F Lamar Neagle 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2
11 M/F 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
45 FW Alhaji Kamara 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2 DF Taylor Kemp 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
7 MF Marcelo Sarvas 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Disciplinary record

No. Pos. Name MLS MLS Cup US Open Cup CONCACAF
Champions League		 Total
Booked Red card Booked Red card Booked Red card Booked Red card Booked Red card
7 MF Marcelo Sarvas 7 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 9 1
5 DF Sean Franklin 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
15 DF Steve Birnbaum 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
11 MF Luciano Acosta 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
14 MF Nick DeLeon 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
18 FW Chris Rolfe 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
12 MF Patrick Nyarko 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
13 M/F Lamar Neagle 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
25 MF Jared Jeffrey 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
32 DF Bobby Boswell 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
33 MF Julian Büscher 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 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. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/05/10/cleared-by-cardiologists-sierra-leones-alhaji-kamara-joins-d-c-united/
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/02/15/with-a-bag-of-tricks-argentine-playmaker-luciano-acosta-joins-d-c-united/
  7. ↑ https://www.dcunited.com/post/2016/02/16/dc-united-acquire-rob-vincent-pittsburgh-riverhounds
  8. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/02/29/d-c-united-signs-u-s-under-23-national-team-goalkeeper-charlie-horton/
  9. ↑ http://www.dcunited.com/post/2016/03/27/united-sign-andrea-mancini
  10. ↑ http://www.dcunited.com/post/2016/04/01/dc-united-sign-tally-hall
  11. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/05/10/cleared-by-cardiologists-sierra-leones-alhaji-kamara-joins-d-c-united/
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ http://www.blackandredunited.com/dc-united-transfers/2016/3/1/11144104/perry-kitchen-dc-united-usmnt-scotland-club-hearts
  14. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/soccer-insider/wp/2016/02/05/d-c-united-trims-preseason-roster-after-first-stage-of-training-camp/
  15. ↑ http://www.dcunited.com/post/2016/03/03/davy-arnaud-announces-his-retirement
  16. ↑ http://www.dcunited.com/post/2016/05/25/dc-united-and-markus-halsti-mutually-terminate-contract
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ http://www.richmond.com/sports/richmond-kickers/article_56609f80-1d65-11e6-9df1-dfc5c024ecd3.html
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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