With a brand-new roster and outlook, D.C. United will look to the 2026 MLS Season for better fortunes

After narrowly being eliminated from playoff contention in 2024, D.C. United was looking for the 2025 season to finally end a six-year playoff drought, but what they got instead was the complete opposite. In a season that can be best described as “abysmal,” D.C. 2025 is something they will look to forget entirely. Finishing dead last in the overall standings, United parted ways with General Manager Ally Mackay and with head coach Troy Lesesne midway through the season, hiring Swiss head coach Rene Weiler as the new man in charge to end the season and to man the team into the 2026 season, while hiring Dr. Erkut Sogut as the team’s Managing Director of Soccer Operations. 

D.C. United team photo before their preseason match against the Portland Timbers in the Coachella Valley Invitational. Photo Credit: D.C. United

“We have had good preparation,” said Weiler, “we have grown closer as a team over the past few weeks. We have to play a good game on the field, and of course, not everything will go smoothly, but we will definitely give it our best.”

In his first full season, Weiler looks to fully put his plan in motion. After taking over towards the end of last season, Weiler looks to implement his style of play and help rebuild a defense that tied for 2nd worst in the league with the Los Angeles Galaxy, giving up 66 goals, with a goal differential of -36, finishing in last place in the Eastern Conference and in the overall standings with 36 points. Only Sporting Kansas City has allowed more goals, allowing 70. 

“Many changes take time; it's only logical to get a better understanding of how we have to play with the ball and without the ball.” Said Weiler, “That was the focus. And the new players have integrated well, but it takes a little bit more time. It's not enough to only have five weeks to integrate them all, but that was the focus.”

D.C. spent the offseason bolstering its defense with the signing of MLS stalwarts such as Sean Nealis from the New York Red Bulls and veteran goalkeeper Sean Johnson. D.C. also went to the international market to find defenders as well, as they signed Keisuke Kurokawa from J League side Gamba Osaka and former Swiss youth international Silvan Hefti from Bundesliga side Hamburg SV to help out on the defensive side of the ball. 

“Experience is important. You have to be complete, you have to be strong, physically strong. You have to have technical skills, you have to read the game, and you have to be efficient.” Said Weiler, “That's very important, but it helps that they know how the league works, and at the end, everybody has to be an asset and give an impact to our team.” 

D.C. United took on Minnesota United in the Coachella Valley Invitational during the preseason. Photo Credit: D.C. United

D.C. will kick off the season against the Union at their home ground, Audi Field in Washington, DC on Saturday, February 21st, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 pm.

” We are beginning a new season with a challenging home opener against a formidable opponent.” Said Weiler, “Although I prefer not to dwell on our two matches against Philadelphia last season, we are highly motivated to play this first game in front of our fans.”

With Benteke’s departure, Baribo and Munteanu will look to anchor the attack

D.C. not only reinforced their defense this offseason, but they also added pieces to their offense as well. The Black and Red suffered a major departure in their offseason, as the club decided to part ways with star striker Christian Benteke in the offseason. United chose not to pick the option of the 2024 Golden Boot winner, as the Belgian forward signed with Emirati side Al Wahda FC. 

Christian Benteke departed the D.C. United at the end of last season after not picking up his option. Photo Credit: D.C. United

D.C. went in on a major push to help solve the loss of Benteke and made a major financial investment in helping find his successor on the attack. In December, D.C. announced the signing of former Philadelphia Union striker Tai Baribo for a $4.6 million fee. 

"We are very pleased to bring in a top player like Tai to bolster our roster heading into the 2026 MLS season,” said Sogut. “Tai is a clinical finisher and a proven goal scorer in the league, who will give us an edge in the final third. Beyond goals, he understands how to create space and is deadly in the air, making him a perfect fit for the identity we are building at the club. We are thrilled to welcome him to the nation's capital.” 

Striker Tai Baribo joined D.C. United in the offseason from the Philadelphia Union. Photo Credit: D.C. United

Baribo comes to D.C. with a stellar resume that precedes him. In his three seasons as a member of the Union, Baribo netted 35 goals and recorded 6 assists in all competitions for the Union, helping them win their 2nd Supporters Shield in club history last season. The Israeli international had his best season as a member of the Union last season, being the club’s leading goal scorer with 16 goals in the regular season and scoring two goals and recording one assist in the playoffs. 

Baribo discussed both his personal ambition and the team's collective goals. Regarding his personal aspirations, he stated, “I have my own goals. I write them down and read them every morning, to be honest. I pray for them because, ultimately, everything comes from God. He will bring me that.” He clarified that this was his personal belief and did not mention his numerical target.

From a team standpoint, Baribo noted that the players have embraced the process and are starting to see positive results, feeling they are improving with each match. The clear, collective goal for the season is "obviously, for sure," to qualify for the playoffs.

D.C. United bolstered their attack even more at the start of the year when they signed Romanian International Louis Muntaneu from Romanian First Division side CFR Cluj for a club record transfer fee of $7 million to partner him up with Baribo in the final attacking third.

Louis Munteanue arriving in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: D.C. United

"Louis is a dynamic young forward whose finishing ability and versatility make him an excellent complement to our current attacking group,” said Sogut. “His movement off the ball, tireless work rate, ability to create space, and instinctive finishing in the final third add another dimension to our attack. Winning the Golden Boot in the Superliga in his first season with CFR Cluj is a testament to Louis’s work ethic and natural goal-scoring ability. This, coupled with his European experience at such a young age, set him apart from other players, which is why we were determined to bring him to the club. We are excited to welcome him to the district.” 

Muntanue made 63 appearances for CFR Cluj, scoring 28 goals and recording 9 assists in 63 appearances. He won the Romanian league golden boot in his first season with Cluj, 

Louis Munteanue in one of his first practice sessions as a member of The Black and Red. Photo Credit: D.C. United

“He's a really good player, but also a really good guy.” Said Baribo on forming a striking partnership with Muntanue, “He doesn't have an ego on the field from what I experienced so far, and this is important, especially when you play with two strikers, because everybody thinks about themselves. It's not good for the player, but also for the team. At the end, we have the same mission to win games. So, I have a really good connection, relationship with him, but also with the other players.” He concludes, “It also takes time to adapt to the league. You know, I came from Europe as well, and the soccer here is different. So, we have to be patient with him, give him the time, and support him. And yeah, but he's a good player.”

Muntanue made his debut for the Romanian national team in March last year and has scored 2 goals in 4 appearances. 

“I am incredibly excited to be joining D.C. United. Washington is an amazing city, and this move means a lot to me. MLS is a new and ambitious challenge, and I am fully committed to giving everything I have to help this club succeed next season,” said Munteanu. “With the World Cup coming to North America, there will be even greater attention on American soccer, and I want to be part of that moment. The talks with Head Coach René Weiler and Sporting Director Dr. Erkut Sogut made it clear to me that something special is being built here. I am proud to be part of this project.” 

D.C. plans for MLS Next team in Baltimore 

D.C. United owner Jason Levien and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott during an event talking about D.C. United's match in Baltimore against Inter Miami on March 7th. Photo Credit: Mayor Brandon Scott

On February 12th, D.C. United, along with the mayor of Baltimore, Brandon Scott, held a media event at the Port Discovery Children’s Museum in Downtown Baltimore to talk about United’s match against Inter Miami that will take place in the city on March 7th at M&T Bank, as Mayor Scott declared the day of the match as “Bmore United Day”. 

“We’re a sports town. We’re a soccer town. Baltimore is a city that knows how to rise together,” Scott said.

United, along with Mayor Scott, has met with Maryland legislators to propose a new 7,500-seat stadium in Carroll Park Golf Course, close to Downtown Baltimore, or the site of the former Baltimore Sun printing facility in the Baltimore Peninsula. The proposed site for the stadium would not only house D.C.'s proposed MLS Next team, a youth academy team, but would also be the home for a women’s team that would play in the USL Super League, which would be partially owned by former NBA All-Star and Baltimore native Carmelo Anthony. 

“Part of our vision for the campus at Baltimore is not just the stadium; it’s an academy where we’re going to scholarship kids who are going to get an education, learn the game, have a chance to either play in college or even play professionally,” 

While speaking on the idea of bringing professional soccer to the city of Baltimore, Mayor Scott had this to say. 

“We’ve got a strong, passionate soccer fan base,” he said, “We look forward to working with everyone to make sure that professional soccer has a home here in Baltimore.” 

The proposed stadium deal would cost around $200 million. 

“We’re in those discussions now about how we’re going to get this funded,” Levien said, noting that the franchise was pursuing a public-private partnership for the project. State and local lawmakers have not signed off on any stadium deal yet.

Before the game on March 7th, United and the Baltimore Boys and Girls Club will have a community event on March 4th. 

“This is the kind of investment that residents, especially our young people in Baltimore, deserve,” Scott said. “I often say that the renaissance of Baltimore is here, and that’s because of our residents and all of our community partners, investors, including the D.C. United organization, which is betting on Baltimore.”

 Arrivals: 

Tai Baribo- from the Philadelphia Union

Louis Munteanu- from CFR Cluj (Romania) 

Gabriel Segal- from the Houston Dynamo 

Keisuke Kurokawa- from Gamba Osaka (Japan) 

Sean Johnson- from Toronto FC 

Sean Nealis- from the New York Red Bulls

Nikola Markovic- Drafted 

Richie Aman- Drafted 

Silvan Hefti- from Hamburg SV (Germany) 

One of D.C. United's new arrivals for this season is Keisuke Kurokawa, signed from J League side Gamba Osaka. Photo Credit: D.C. United

Departures: 

Luis Baraza- End of contract, signed with Inter Miami

Christian Benteke- Option Declined, signed with Al Wahda (UAE) 

Derek Dodson- Option Declined

Randel Leal- Option Declined, signed with Herediano (Costa Rica)

Kristian Fletcher- Option Declined, signed with FC Cincinnati 

Lucas MacNaughton- Option Declined 

Rida Zouhir- Option Declined

Boris Enow- sold to Beitar Jerusalem (Israel) 

Dominque Badji- Waved

David Schnegg- Waved, signed with Charlotte FC

Games to watch out for this season: 

Home:

February 21st: vs Philadelphia Union (Home Opener)  

March 7th: vs Inter Miami (in Baltimore, MD) 

April 25th- vs Orlando City 

May 16th- vs St. Louis (1st time St. Louis visits Audi Field)

May 23rd- vs Montreal CF (final game before World Cup Break) 

July 25th- vs Toronto FC (First game at home after World Cup break)

August 29th- vs LAFC 

September 9th- vs Columbus Crew

October 14th- vs New York Red Bulls 

November 7th- vs NYCFC (Final game of the season)

Away: 

March 1st- at Austin FC (first road game of the season) 

April 19th- at Philadelphia Union

April 22nd- at New York Red Bulls

May 3rd- at NYCFC 

July 22nd- at Houston Dynamo (First game back from World Cup break)

September 26th- at Vancouver Whitecaps 

October 10th- at Inter Miami (First meeting for both teams at Miami Freedom Park) 

October 31st- at Columbus Crew (Final road game of the season)