New York City FC take on D.C. United at Audi Field this weekend.
For this edition of 'The Away End' presented by Berkeley College & Rennert International, we spoke to Ted Meyer, co-host of the RFK Refugees podcast.
How long have you been covering D.C. United?
I have had stops and starts covering D.C. United and MLS as a whole. I started in 2011 with the podcast Around the League covering MLS and that included of course D.C. United. In 2018, I started RFK Refugees with one of the correspondents who covered D.C. United for Around the League, Jon Hoffman. Since then, we have covered D.C. United and the NWSL side the Washington Spirit with a nearly regular weekly podcast dedicated to covering both teams.
What has been your highlight in that time?
There haven't been many highlights for D.C. United during this time. I suppose the Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta era right as we were starting the podcast is the only true highlight of the time. Obviously, everyone has seen the Wayne Rooney tackle and long looping pass to find Acosta for the game-winning goal against Orlando City. There were several issues between the fans and the team at the time that were only recently resolved before that game. So seeing the fans erupt as Acosta headed home that goal will always be special. Watching that team was really the first time in a while that D.C. United looked dominant, and like they could compete for a MLS Cup. It is a shame the team didn't grow from that 2018 season into 2019, but that season will always be special to me and I think other D.C. United fans.
What are your thoughts on the 2024 season so far?
This year has all been about a reset. If things went well last year with Rooney as coach, this was supposed to be year 2 of that project. Instead, the team has brought in a new front office and a new coach in Troy Lesesne to try and build something different. Due to the contract and cap situations, the team has found itself in, they have been limited in actually doing a major rebuild of the club. Despite some rough patches through the season and moments where the team had just 2 substitutions on the bench, the team has looked like they are actually building an identity and plan. Their signings have shown early promise. David Schnegg, who they signed from last year's Austrian league winners SK Sturm Graz, has looked more than capable left-back. Matti Peltola, the young designated player they signed as a free agent over the winter, has struggled a bit to settle in but recently has put in some good performances as of late. Furthermore, they have also gotten good performances from players like Martin Rodriguez and Christian Dajome, two players we weren't sure would be around for much this year. Considering the limitations, and inability to actually do a full rebuild, this year has gone about as well as one could hope.
Christian Benteke has obviously been the MVP for D.C. United with 18 goals and leading the Golden Boot race. He had 14 goals last year, and the last time D.C. United had a forward that registered at least 14 goals in back-to-back seasons was Roy Lassiter in 1998 and 1999. Benteke's aerial dominance this year is almost otherworldly. The team is built around him and built to get him the good spots for service. He can do much more than just time his jumps and win the ball in the air. He is also very good at picking up the ball in the midfield and picking a pass or switch. He has registered five assists to go along with his 18 goals so far this year. The supporting cast around him hasn't lit the world on fire, and for a while, Benteke was the only player with more than one goal this year. That has slowly started to change and the team now has a slightly more balanced attack. The biggest story to come out of the Toronto game was the fact that the team managed to get 3 goals from the bench and didn't need Benteke to score.
Defensively has obviously been the biggest challenge in 2024. Going through most of the year without a natural LB, and dealing with the prolonged absence of Steve Birnbaum. The team has struggled to maintain leads due to a lack of depth and general inexperience in the backline. They do have veteran center defenders Lucas Bartlett and Christopher McVey. Both have had good moments and bad moments. The most exciting center-back prospect Matai Akinmboni is just 17, but has still been trusted to start when either McVey or Bartlett have been injured. He also earned starts above McVey when healthy. Sadly, a minor injury has halted that progress, but regardless, he remains one to watch for this team. His advancement from fringe player to the regular lineup rotation has been an underrated development for D.C. United this year.
What are your hopes for the rest of the season?
After back-to-back wins, D.C. United has vaulted back into the playoff conversation. While making the playoffs is not always a true barometer for how a club is doing, D.C. United hasn't made the playoffs since 2019, and haven't won a playoff game since 2015. In a year when expectations were fairly low, just getting back to the playoffs would be considered an accomplishment. It would also demonstrate that things around the team are finally turning a corner. The team locked down Benteke for at least another season, and also gave Ted Ku-DiPietro a longer term deal. Beyond results, progress among the new signings and the younger talents like Ted and Matai are all things I want to see in the last few remaining games of the year.
What do you think will be the deciding factor in Saturday's game?
D.C. United will look to establish their press and attempt to create a short field in their attacking half. If they manage to do that and find Benteke in good spots, it will probably bode well for their chances in this game. If they allow NYCFC to get on the break easily or they end up pressing D.C. United on their end, then it could be a long night for D.C. fans at Audi Field. Additionally, the later stages of the game will be where D.C. has struggled. They have shown that really no lead they have in a game is safe. They have dropped more than 20 points from leading positions. They at the very least reversed that trend against Chicago, but obviously, New York City FC are a better team. If D.C. wilts in the final stages, New York City FC have the quality to punish them.
And for any fans that might be in town for the game are there any spots you'd suggest?
As someone who lives outside the D.C. area, I don't get to many games. The areas around Nationals Park has plenty of restaurants and with the Nationals starting at 4:00 PM on Saturday, one could attend the baseball game and have plenty of time to catch the soccer game later. Additionally, if looking for food staples, Ben's Chili Bowl is also a must and probably one of the more famous restaurants in D.C. and certainly worth checking out. Inside the stadium, I always tell everyone to check out the pupusa stand. The El Salvadorian dish has been a staple at all D.C. United games, and one I almost always go to when attending D.C. United games.
