DC United:I can only see DCU going one way and that us up! We can come back to them after a game or two as I would like to get a look at them with my own eyes. However, in 2023 they collected 40 points, but were 13 better for xP and 16 goals better off for xGD. Last year, guess what, they hit that same points number (40) but xP again gave them an additional 13 points and saw them as a MASSIVE 29 goals better and xGA says they should have conceded 22-23 fewer! They did move up two places and only missed out on a playoff spot on goal difference. If they can actually hit those figures, they are going to be pushing for top 3-4. Head coach Troy Lesesne is in his second season and early in the last campaign I spoke about him and his move from New York Red Bulls......

 

 

Ally Mackay who did the same job previously at Nashville SC (big improvers in Y2) is heading up recruitment and is also in his second season. The squad is getting ever younger and I would assume more malleable in terms of how Lesesne wants to play and, all those who joined last season will get far more game time this season,as they have moved out a whole host of older players and this is going to be a youthful very high energy group. All the experience will be up top and leading the line and it is easy to understand why.Christian Benteke is now a veteran striker and a back up of a similar age and with a  lot of MLS experience has been added. Benteke was on fire last season, in 2023 he contributed 14 goals and 3 assists and in 2024 upped that to a respective 23 and 5, a goal contribution every 93 minutes and that came along with a Golden Boot award. 

 

They have played 6-7 places better than results for two seasons, the last one whilst trying to play a very different style and with a squad remould and I feel they can kick on.