2010 D.C. United season
Introduction 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.
Background === Preseason ===To prepare for the 2010 season, United participated in the Carolina Challenge Cup, hosted friendlies at the IMG Academy in Florida, as well as traveled to Mexico to take on Santos Laguna.=== Regular season ======= March–April ====La Barra Brava display a tifo referencing the 2011 film Paul during a match against the L.A. GalaxyD.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. 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. It was the first time in seven years that United fell at home against the Revolution.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. 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. 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.==== 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. 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. 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 ended the month with a 2–0 victory against the Richmond Kickers at George Mason Stadium. The match was a U.S. Open Cup fourth round match, and United would then play Harrisburg City on July 8 at the Maryland SoccerPlex. With a record of 4–1–1 in all competitions in June, it was United's most successful month of the year.==== July ====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 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.==== August ====La Barra Brava display a tifo supporting head coach Ben Olsen during a match against FC DallasOn 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 gameUnited 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.==== November ====On November 3, midfielder Andy Najar won the Rookie of the Year Award, ahead of fellow rivals New York's defender, Tim Ream and Philadelphia Union's striker, Danny Mwanga. He was the first United player to win the award since Ben Olsen did so in 1998.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 ====== Current technical staff ===
Transfers ===In===DatePlayerPrevious clubFeeRef January 8, 2010   Danny Allsopp   Al-Rayyan  Undisclosed  January 14, 2010   Troy Perkins   Vålerenga  Undisclosed  January 14, 2010   Jordan Graye  Unattached  Drafted  January 21, 2010   Floribert N'Galula   Sparta Rotterdam  Free  February 3, 2010   Adam Cristman   Kansas City Wizards  Trade  March 5, 2010   Kurt Morsink  Unattached  Free  March 17, 2010   Lyle Adams   Austin Aztex  Free  March 22, 2010   Andy Najar   D.C. United U-20's  Academy  March 25, 2010   Juan Manuel Peña   Celta de Vigo  Free  April 28, 2010   Luciano Emilio   Rio Branco  Undisclosed   April 30, 2010   Stephen King   Seattle Sounders FC  Trade June 14, 2010   Branko Bošković   Rapid Wein  Free August 5, 2010   Jed Zayner   Columbus Crew  Trade August 13, 2010   Conor Shanosky   D.C. United U-20's  Academy September 14, 2010   Carlos Varela   Xamax  Free September 15, 2010   Junior   Náutico  Undisclosed ===Out===DatePlayerDestination clubFeeRef November 20, 2009   Ben Olsen  Retired  Retired  November 27, 2009   Andrew Jacobson   Philadelphia Union  Expansion Draft  December 23, 2009   Greg Janicki   Vancouver Whitecaps FC  Pre-Draft Trade  January 10, 2010   Luciano Emilio   Rio Blanco  Free  January 11, 2010   Ange N'Silu   FCL Mont  Released  January 11, 2010   Miloš Kočić   Toronto  Released  January 13, 2010   Fred   Philadelphia Union  Pre-draft Trade  January 20, 2010   David Habarugira   Brussels  Released  March 5, 2010   John DiRaimondo   Richmond Kickers  Released  March 6, 2010   Floribert N'Galula   TPS  Released  March 31, 2010   Ely Allen   NSC Minnesota  Undisclosed  April 16, 2010   Josh Wicks   Mariehamn  Released  April 30, 2010   Ty Shipalane   Harrisburg City  Released  April 30, 2010   Lyle Adams  Retired  Released  July 16, 2010   Luciano Emilio   Danubio  Free  June 29, 2010    Christian Castillo   Alianza  Released  July 27, 2010    Thabiso Khumalo   Louisville Lightning   Released  September 16, 2010   Carey Talley   New York Red Bulls  Trade === Loan ======= In ====PlayerFromStartEndRef  Cristian Castillo   León  December 18, 2009  June 29, 2010   Pablo Hernández   Defensor Sporting  July 1, 2010   December 31, 2010   JP Rodrigues   Miami  October 1, 2010  December 31, 2010 ==== Out ====PlayerLoaned toStartEndRef  Ty Shipalane   Richmond Kickers  April 16, 2010  April 20, 2010
Statistics === Appearances and goals ===:''Last updated on November 7. ''=== Top scorers ===Includes all competitive matches. The list is sorted by competition level when total goals are equal. :''Last updated on October 24, 2010.''PositionNationNumberNameMLSU.S. Open CupCarolina Challenge CupTotal19Danny Allsopp540'''9'''311Andy Najar520'''7'''399Jaime Moreno214'''7'''47Adam Cristman220'''4'''513Chris Pontius300'''3'''625Santino Quaranta210'''3'''72Julius James100'''1'''=27Branko Bošković010'''1'''= –''Christian Castillo''010'''1'''= –''Luciano Emilio''010'''1'''= 21Pablo Hernández010'''1'''= –''Thabiso Khumalo''010'''1'''=== Disciplinary ===Includes all competitive matches. Players with 1 card or more included only. :''Last updated on November 1, 2010'''''Position''''''Nation''''''Number''''''Name''''''MLS''''''U.S. Open Cup''''''Carolina Challenge Cup''''''Total (USSF Total)'''  DF  2 Julius James 7 0 0 1 7 1 MF  14 Andy Najar 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 MF  6 Kurt Morsink 5 0 2 0 0 0 7 0 MF  25 Santino Quaranta 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 DF  – ''Carey Talley'' 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 FW  9 Danny Allsopp 2 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 FW  – ''Cristian Castillo'' 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 FW  99 Jaime Moreno 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 DF  5 Dejan Jakovic 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 MF  4 Marc Burch 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 FW  13 Chris Pontius 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 DF  16 Jordan Graye 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 DF  18 Devon McTavish 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 MF  20 Stephen King 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 MF  24 Brandon Barklage 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 DF  27 Branko Bošković 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 '''TOTALS''''''49''''''2''''''3''''''1''''''0''''''0''''''52''''''3'''=== Formation ===Starting XI vs. Chicago Fire on Oct. 16.200px===Overall ===Games played  35 (30 MLS, 5 U.S. Open Cup)Games won  10 (6 MLS, 4 U.S. Open Cup)Games drawn   4 (4 MLS) Games lost  21 (20 MLS, 1 U.S. Open Cup)Goals scored  32Goals conceded  52Goal difference  −20Clean sheets  8Yellow cards  49Red cards  2Worst discipline   Julius James 7  0 Best result(s) W 2–0 (H) v Philadelphia – Major League Soccer – August 22, 2010Worst result(s) L 4–0 (A) v Kansas City – Major League Soccer – March 17, 2010Most appearances   Santino Quaranta (34)Top scorer    Danny Allsopp (8)Points  Overall: 22/90 (24.44%)
Competitions === Preseason ====== Carolina Challenge Cup ====== Major League Soccer ===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.==== League table ===='''Conference''''''Overall'''==== Results summary ======== Results by round ======= U.S. Open Cup ====== Friendlies ===
Recognition ===MLS Rookie of the Year===PositionPlayerRef.MF Andy Najar===MLS Player of the Week===WeekPlayerWeek's Statline12 Chris Pontius 3G (39', 44', '79) ===MLS All-Stars 2010===PositionPlayerNoteFW Jaime Moreno Commissioner's Pick
References