The 2010 D.C. United season was the club's 16th year of existence, as well as their 15th season in Major League Soccer, and their 15th consecutive season in the top flight of American soccer.
After three seasons with Tom Soehn, Soehn resigned from duty on mutual agreement, and became the Athletic Director for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. On December 28, 2009, United announced the signing of Curt Onalfo, the former Kansas City Wizards coach who had previously been fired following a 6–0 defeat to Dallas in August 2009.
United began the season by with a 4–0 defeat from Kansas City at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on March 27. Their final match was a 3–2 loss to Toronto at RFK Stadium on October 23. Statistically, the 2010 season was United's worst overall season on record in MLS, tallying a record 20 losses, and 17 games being shut out, which broke the original record of 15. United also set the record for fewest goals scored in an MLS season (21) shattering the old record set by Toronto in 2007 when the Reds only scored 24. The poor record resulted in their head coach, Onalfo, being fired on August 4, becoming the first United coach in history to be fired during a regular season. Subsequently, Ben Olsen became the interim coach for the remainder of the season.
Although the team had an abysmal regular season showing, they excelled in U.S. Open Cup competition, making a run to the semifinals, before bowing out against Columbus.
D.C. United began their fifteenth Major League Soccer regular season on the road with a match against the Kansas City Wizards on March 27, 2010 followed by their first home match against the New England Revolution on April 3, 2010. Then they faced the Philadelphia Union.[1] United would drop three more consecutive season games in April, which led the club off to a 0–5–0 start, their worst in franchise history.
Their first match of April was on April 3, where United fell late against the Revolution thanks to two goals from Kevin Mansally in the 80th and 82nd minutes.[2] It was the first time in seven years that United fell at home against the Revolution.[3]
On April 10, United traveled out to Philadelphia to take on an expansion MLS franchise, the Philadelphia Union, at Lincoln Financial Field. In front of a crowd of 34,000, United lost 3–2 in the Union's home-opener.[4] In spite of the loss, goals from Santino Quaranta and Jaime Moreno accounted for United's first goals of the 2010 season.
A week later, United had their worst start of the season, falling 2–0 to the Chicago Fire at home, giving the club an 0–3–0 home record, and a 0–2–0 away record.[5] In spite of the poor start, there were some signs of good things to come, with United taking in their first victory since the Carolina Challenge Cup during a U.S. Open Cup play-on proper match against Dallas on April 28. There, United took a 4–2 win, and edged closer to Open Cup qualification.[6]
May
May started off on poor terms for United. On May 1, in an Atlantic Cup derby match against New York Red Bulls, United lost at home to the Red Bulls for the first time since 2003, as well as broke their 1996 record for worst start of the season, losing their first five matches.
Onalfo received sharp criticism from fans and the media alike, but expressed hope and optimism for a turnaround during the season. Some minor hope was restored on May 5, when United avenged their four-goal defeat against Kansas City earlier in March. Thanks to a pair of goals from the recently acquired Danny Allsopp, United won 2–1, as the Wizards became the first MLS club to lose to United since March.
You know, we're just not clicking right now. Maybe we're going to have to sacrifice some goats or some chickens, because we have to get this [losing streak] off of us. You have to stay positive, we have to keep our heads up, because we have to learn and we a young team that can learn from our mistakes.
Troy Perkins, D.C. United goalkeeper following their 0–5–0 start, subsequent to their 2–0 defeat to New York Red Bulls.[7]
United remained in the cellar of the Eastern Conference, as well as the overall standings, as they lost their next three games: two in Texas and one at home. Frustration continued to mount as their May 8 and May 15 matches against Dallas and Colorado, respectively, both ended in one-goal defeats.
A 2–0 loss in Houston left United far in last with goals scored (5) and far in front with goals allowed (16).
In the wrath of a horrendous start to the season, United had scheduled a friendly against the Italian Serie A giants, A.C. Milan. Although missing several of their regular starters, it was expected to be a very, ugly, one-sided match. Ironically, United would pull of a shock 3–2 victory over Milan in front of nearly 31,000 fans at RFK Stadium.
The confidence from the Milan-match benefited United in their next two matches; a May 29 come-from-behind victory hosting Chivas USA and a U.S. Open Cup qualifier against Real Salt Lake on June 2.
June
June began with a pair of matches against Real Salt Lake; one for the U.S. Open Cup, and another for the regular season; both at RFK Stadium. The Open Cup match was played on June 2, with United beating Real Salt Lake 2–1, thanks an Andy Najar-goal after extra time. Three days later, the two sides would play again at the same venue, with the teams drawing no goals apiece.
The success continued from their three victories in the past four games, with United winning their first game on the road for the 2010 season. Before the World Cup break, United defeated the Seattle Sounders FC 3–2 at Qwest Field; a game where United had a three-goal lead thanks a hat trick from Chris Pontius, his first of his career.
During the World Cup break, United scheduled an exhibition match against El Salvador's national team as a fundraiser for the Spanish Catholic Center and United for D.C. United would win the friendly thanks to Adam Christman's lone goal in the 54th minute of play. It has been alleged that many of the Salvadorean players colluded to throw the match.[8] Following the break, United would travel to Columbus to take on the Crew, where they would fall 2–0, accounting for their first and only loss of the month.
United started off the fourth month of their campaign on level terms that continued from June. This included a pair of back-to-back road draws at San Jose on July 3 and against their rivals the New York Red Bulls on July 10.
Although they grabbed two road points, they lost consecutively at home. On July 15, a late 89th-minute shot from Roger Levesque gave the Seattle Sounders FC a 1–0 victory over United. Goals from Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle of Los Angeles gave the Galaxy a 2–1 victory against United. The two losses saw United return to last place, relinquishing their brief stint in 14th and 15th place.
Despite their lack of victory during the month, they continued to find success in the U.S. Open Cup in which United won their quarterfinal-match on July 21 against USL Second Division's Harrisburg City, 2–0. The victory would send United to play against Columbus later next month.
The success in the U.S. Open Cup mounted as they thrashed Premier League-relegated Portsmouth 4–0 on July 24. Some[who?] was to blame the lack of sleep and lost luggage from Portsmouth during their North American Tour.
United ended a stony note when traveling to Rio Tinto on July 31 to take on the second-place Real Salt Lake. Goals from RSL's panel of stars including Robbie Findley and Alvaro Saborio saw United crash to a 3–0 defeat to end the month.
On August 5, following a league-worst 3–12–3 start to the season, head coach Curt Onlafo was fired. Subsequently, ex-D.C. United player, and assistant coach Ben Olsen became interim head coach for the remainder of the season. His first game as interim head coach was the August 7 league match against New England.
United then dropped another home match against FC Dallas, 3–1 on August 14 before achieving their first win a week later.
Under Olsen's leadership, United earned their first win in over two months in a 2–0 victory over local rivals, the Philadelphia Union on August 22. Danny Allsopp netted both goals, leading him to be the club's scoring leader for the season. The win was soon negated by a 1–0 loss at Chivas USA a few days later.
In hope to salvage their abysmal season, United played a full strength lineup in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals against Eastern Conference-rival Columbus Crew. Thanks to Hernández's 13th-minute penalty kick, United took a 1–0 lead over Columbus for nearly the entire match; however, in the last minute of play, an own goal by Mark Burch forced the game to go into overtime, where a penalty kick from the Crew's captain, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, ultimately led United to bow out of the tournament.
The 2–1 defeat to Columbus made it the first time since 2007 United failed to reach the Open Cup finals. The loss ultimately has made it incredibly difficult and arduous to qualify for the 2011–12 edition of the CONCACAF Champions League.
September
United would start the month off play against Columbus, once again, at home. A 23rd-minute mishap from keeper Bill Hamid was capitalized by Guillermo Barros Schelotto, which proved to be the difference in the match.
Following the match, having no change for a U.S. Open Cup title, nor a chance to qualify for the 2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League, United took the role of playing the spoiler team, seeing there was virtually little to no chance in qualifying for the play-offs. On September 11, United faced long odds when playing at Toronto FC's BMO Field, where the Reds had only surrendered one loss all season; a 1–4 defeat to New York Red Bulls. In spite of this, an 82nd-minute header from Julius James kept United's slim play-off hopes alive, and increased the gap between Seattle and Toronto in their play-off chase.
Things would not get easier for United, as they would then have to travel to Los Angeles to take on the MLS-league leaders. Thanks to Andy Najar's 60th-minute opener, it seemed as if United would accomplish perhaps the greatest upset during the MLS season. It would fail to be the case thanks to two quick goals from Galaxy captain, Landon Donovan, who netted a pair of goals in the 81st and 86th minute; giving LA the 2–1 victory over the Black-and-Red.
The loss saw United drop to 5–17–3, and mathematically eliminated the club from playoff contention.
A 3–1 home loss against Houston Dynamo on September 25 resulted in United being five points behind Chivas USA, the 15th-place MLS club; the farthest United had been out of last place all season.
October
Moreno celebrating his 133rd career goal during his final professional game
United would win 1–0 against Colorado Rapids and not give up a goal after scoring. Danny Allsopp scored. It was their first away win in Colorado since 2001.
During the majority of the month, the club began to work on rebuilding plans for the team. This started out with the signing of Guyanese international, JP Rodrigues on loan from Miami FC of the USSF D2 Pro League. They also signed Junior from Brazil.
D.C. United lost its 19th game 2–0 to San Jose, marking their tenth loss at home, a team worst, as well as the 16th time this season they were shut out, an MLS record. Although United nabbed another point on the road at Chicago Fire to further improve their road record, United grew the MLS record for most shut-outs in a single season (17). The match was Brian McBride's farewell match in Toyota Park.
In Jaime Moreno's final match of his 14-year career with D.C., he started and played 80 minutes in the club's season finale against Toronto FC. Moreno scored on a penalty kick in the 38th minute, but United dropped their 11th at home and their 20th overall to end the season, 3–2.
Two weeks later, on November 15, the United and striker Danny Allsopp mutually agreed to terminate his contract valued at $217,000 guaranteed pay from the club. Allsopp was expected to return to Australia's A-League.
Club
2010 roster
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
D.C. United's fifteenth season in Major League Soccer began on March 27 and ended on October 23. United finished in last place in both the Eastern Conference and the overall standings, for the first time since the 2002 season.
^Note 1 - Toronto FC cannot qualify for the U.S. Open Cup, as it is a Canadian-based team. If they qualify for an automatic berth into the U.S. Open Cup, the next highest placed team not already qualified will be given a berth. Similarly, they cannot qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League through MLS. Rather, they can qualify through the Canadian Soccer Championship. If they qualify for the Champions League through MLS, then the highest placed team not already qualified will qualify.
The 2010 Colorado Rapids season was the fifteenth year and season of the club's existence. It was Colorado's fifteenth year in Major League Soccer, and the fifteenth consecutive year for the club in the top-flight of American soccer.
The 2010 FC Dallas season was the fifteenth season of the team's existence.
The 2010 Los Angeles Galaxy season was the club's fifteenth season of existence. It was also the Galaxy's fifteenth season in Major League Soccer and their fifteenth-consecutive year at the top-flight of American soccer.
The 2010 Real Salt Lake season was the sixth year of the club's existence. It was also the sixth year for the club in Major League Soccer and the sixth-consecutive year for the club in the top-flight of American soccer.
The 2010 Philadelphia Union season is the first season of the team's existence, competing in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. The Union were the sixteenth franchise to join the league in 2010 and were managed under former MLS player, Peter Nowak.
The 2010 Columbus Crew season is the fifteenth season of the team's existence.
Andy Ariel Najar Rodríguez is a Honduran professional footballer who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club D.C. United and the Honduras national team.
The 2011 D.C. United season was D.C. United's 17th year of existence, their 16th season in Major League Soccer, and their 16th consecutive season in the top-flight of American soccer. D.C. United tried to salvage a poor showing last season where they finished at the bottom of the MLS standings. The season covers the period of November 1, 2010, through October 31, 2011.
The 2011 Columbus Crew season was the club's eighteenth year of existence, as well as their sixteenth season in Major League Soccer, and their sixteenth consecutive season in the top-flight of American soccer.
Josh Williams is an American professional soccer player who plays for Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew as a defender.
The 2006 season was D.C. United's eleventh season of soccer, its eleventh consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top tier of American soccer. The club also played in the U.S. Open Cup, the United States' domestic knockout cup competition. The reserve team played for their second season in the MLS Reserve League.
The 2012 D.C. United season was the club's seventeenth season of existence, and their seventeenth consecutive season of playing in Major League Soccer, the top division of American soccer. The club's season began on March 10, with a 0–1 home defeat against Sporting Kansas City, and culminated on November 18 with a 1–1 draw against Houston Dynamo.
The 2013 D.C. United season was the club's eighteenth, and their eighteenth season in Major League Soccer, the top division of American soccer. The regular season began on March 2 and concluded on October 27.
The 2014 D.C. United season was the club's nineteenth season of existence, and their nineteenth in Major League Soccer, the top tier of the American soccer pyramid.
The 2015 Columbus Crew SC season was the club's twentieth season of existence, and their twentieth consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer.
The 2017 D.C. United season was D.C. United's 22nd season of existence, and their 22nd in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer.
The 2020 D.C. United season was the club's 25th season of existence, and their 25th consecutive season playing in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. The regular season began on February 29, 2020, and was suspended on March 12, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The club's season is resumed on July 13, 2020 with the MLS is Back Tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida, where group stage fixtures counted towards the regular season standings. The season ended on November 8, 2020 with their final regular season match.
The 2020 Columbus Crew SC season was the club's twenty-fifth season of existence and their twenty-fifth consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. Columbus were also set to compete in the U.S. Open Cup, before its cancelation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The season covers the period from November 11, 2019 to the start of the 2021 Major League Soccer season.
The 2021 D.C. United season was the club's 26th season of existence, and their 26th consecutive season playing in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its ongoing vaccination efforts, the season began on April 17, 2021 and ended on November 7, 2021. Despite winning against Toronto FC on the last match of the regular season, the team did not qualify playoffs, making it their second consecutive season in which D.C. United did not qualify for the playoffs. It was the first time since 2011, that United did not qualify for the playoffs in consecutive seasons.
The 2021 Columbus Crew season was the club's twenty-sixth season of existence and their twenty-sixth consecutive season in Major League Soccer, the top flight of American soccer. The season covers the period from December 13, 2020 to November 7, 2021. It is the third season under head coach Caleb Porter.
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