D.C. United vs Charlotte FC on Decision Day: Preview, time, and how to watch
Today is the day. After a tumultuous season, we are on tenterhooks to see if D.C. United will finally clinch a playoff spot or, if it will be, “better luck next year.”
Head coach Troy Lesesne has taken D.C. United from a tenuous position in the Eastern Conference basement to a tenacious force on the pitch. It’s been a rocky season, no doubt about it, but Lesesne’s steadfast vision and perseverance have paid off. Whether D.C. United clinches a playoff spot tonight or not, there is plenty to be proud of this season.
Tonight’s opponent, Charlotte FC, is just as keen to win tonight to ensure they maintain the upper hand heading into the postseason. Charlotte currently sits in 6th in the Eastern Conference. The Crown has played a very strong defensive game this season, which will put D.C. to the test tonight as they try to lock down all three points. Head coach Dean Smith, formerly with Aston Villa, Brentford, and Norwich City, has been successful in Charlotte since his appointment over the winter, and we don’t see him letting up.
Alright, on to the reason you’re probably here. How does D.C. United secure that wild card playoff match?
Here are all the scenarios in which the Black-and-Red will move forward into the playoffs:
- D.C. United WIN/DRAW vs. Charlotte FC OR
- CF Montréal LOSS vs. New York City FC AND Philadelphia Union LOSS/DRAW vs. FC Cincinnati AND D.C. United ADVANTAGE in tiebreakers over CF Montréal OR
- CF Montréal LOSS vs. New York City FC AND Atlanta United LOSS/DRAW at Orlando City SC AND D.C. United ADVANTAGE in tiebreakers over CF Montréal OR
- Philadelphia Union LOSS/DRAW vs. FC Cincinnati AND Atlanta United LOSS/DRAW at Orlando City SC
While D.C.’s easiest option forward is to win tonight, the Black-and-Red are by no means completely out of luck if they don’t—a relief from earlier in the season when we felt there might not be a chance at the playoffs at all.
Hear everything head coach Troy Lesesne had to say at the pre-game press conference here.
Let us know your thoughts about tonight’s match in the comments below, and be sure to join us live here during the game to chat with your fellow supporters.
Key Player: Christian Benteke
Make no mistake: Christian Benteke has been D.C. United’s MVP this season, and we’ll be looking to him to propel the Black-and-Red into the playoffs. Benteke also leads the Golden Boot race with four goals to spare. We’ll be looking for him to increase his tally tonight.
Watch Out For: Pep Biel
Charlotte’s danger man, Pep Biel, has been on fire since joining the club on loan in August from Olympiacos. The Crown’s strategy is simple: keep their defense locked down tight, then feed the ball to Biel and watch him create. The Black-and-Red must be strong on both fronts to shut down Charlotte tonight.
Challenges: Everything is on the line for the Black-and-Red tonight. Faced with Charlotte’s strong defense, D.C. will have to leave it all on the pitch in search of a playoff berth.
Previously: D.C. United lost 1-0 to Charlotte FC back in June at Bank of America Stadium. The Black-and-Red will look for their third all-time regular season win against Charlotte tonight.
D.C. United Availability:
Out: Matai Akinmboni (ankle), Conner Antley (knee), Jackson Hopkins (ankle), Garrison Tubbs (thigh)
Questionable: None
Charlotte FC Availability:
Out: Jahlane Forbes (hip), Nikola Petković (knee)
Questionable: David Bingham (back)
Location: Audi Field, Washington, DC
Kickoff time: 6:00 pm ET
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Available streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Thanks, Sarah, for putting in the effort to do a blurb about Benteke in context still, cuz I imagine it’s tempting to just type: “Benteke is Benteke, therefore Benteke=Benteke” every single time.
He continues to impress me, honestly. Both with his unselfishness and his technical prowess. One of those players you just want to see good things happen for!
He’s had a monumental season. It will, however, be important to sign some players that might knock him off your marquee, or at least threaten to occasionally. This team might squeak into the playoffs, but we’ll need more contributors to challenge further
Yeah, we’ve discussed the need for a reliable second scorer next season. A playmaker would be cool, but both Klich and Stroud have double digit assists this year. That might not hold up next year, but getting someone to share the scoring load would help immensely. Pirani has started to find the back of the net, Ku-DiPietro should improve on his total, but yeah, it can’t just all be Benteke.
I don’t want to go into predictions, but in all honesty, I made it weeks ago. I did not think that United had a squad to push for and snag a playoff spot.
Unfortunately, the close proximity of that possibility now has the potential to do what I didn’t think the team could do to me this year: Break my heart and dash my fragile hopes.
But, at the end of the season, this is what being a fan is about. Feeling the nerves, not sure what the highs and lows will be as the script unfolds before you. So no predictions anymore. Just glad for this sport, this team, this fanbase, and this blog.
Vamos United
I’m not going to bring up the club’s record in “must win” or elimination games, or their record at home. Let’s just enjoy the ride.
Well said, fellas. Let’s just try to sit back and enjoy! (I will be pacing my living room throughout the entire game)
Don’t worry, can’t make it to the stadium either. Whether I’m petrified or getting cardio, I’ll keep you company on here
Sarah, terrific righting…”tenuous” to “tenacious”….lovely alliteration that also works content-wise. And all the best to your family and loved ones.
Vamos United! I’m just glad to be able to finish the season with a genuinely important game and a solid chance at a playoff berth.
I think of Carolina, but I still think college basketball first when I read about what tactics Dean Smith may use against us.
Thanks, Sarah, for a fine preview and the thread. I’ll be at Buzzard Point in person as usual, but I’ll catch up with the thread at halftime and after the match.
4-2-3-1 repeat, though of course it’s not listed as such.
Bono
Herrera Bartlett McVey Santos
Klich Rodriguez
Stroud Pirani TKD
Benteke
Maybe because we don’t have any depth at CB, Peltola has been held in reserve, but this is throwing a lot of our creativity onto the field at once. Looks like we’re hoping to run out to a lead, and hoping the bench can hold it.
Die is cast.
I had this fixed in my head, for no apparent reason, as a 7 pm start. Was getting ready to head out the door at quarter of, saw the match time on the ticket, said “oh s–t”, and realized I can’t possibly make it into the stadium before halftime (coming from Reston). What a stupid, stupid whiff.
Very much hoping the team is more on the ball than I am this evening.
Dang, that’s rough
Looking at the stands, it appears I may not be the only fan to be unprepared for the Decision Day schedule.
End to end opening minute, near dire mistake by Bartlett, but it’s Benteke who gets the first shot and shot on target.
Bartlett has had a very rough opening
Santos can’t connect on the sweeping far post pass with Benteke
Rodriguez with an obvious tug yellow
Benteke can’t stay inside for Pirani’s pass
Good persistence to win that corner.
Ted is trying to stay calm and maintain possession, but I want him to look forward and burn. He hasn’t been able to go a full game in a while, smoke defenders while you got em
DC siege leads to an ambitious, but tame shot from Benteke leaving his feet
Carolina player puts a crowbar in Benteke’s back, no card
Lots of good possession and intelligent ideas. It would be nice if one of these positive sequences actually turned into a goal.
Open header by Charlotte thankfully right at Bono.
Open header for Carolina goes right to Bono. Gulp
Ream wisely puts it out for a corner
Herrera fouls near the corner, thankfully the fk sails out
Masterful pass by Pirani, masterful finish by Benteke, but not a perfect run by the latter
Santos might be done
If we had Ream as our lb this season, we’d have about a million percent more clean sheets
Another open header by Carolina. This time it goes wide.
Total control through most of the half, which would be more impressive if Carolina didn’t roll this way as a general practice. Many good workings into the box, but the touches and timings weren’t enough to really test their goalie.
As we have observed repeatedly in this space, this is probably about as good as the team can do as constituted. Just have to hope something bounces our way.
Yeah, Carolina has over twice as many clean sheets
Kahlina has as many clean sheets against United as United has all season.
DC United legend Yamil Asad has scored for Cincy, helping DC with the current Philly issue
Palpatine giggle
Ted offside. Forwards need to figure it out
Wish Stroud finished those.
The Stroud who finishes those is not available to us in trade for Chris Durkin. 🙁
Yeah, but it does make me think right wing should be our DP, and move Stroud to utility sub
I like Stroud a lot, but firmly agree that a seriously contending DCU squad has Stroud as the sixth attacker, getting lots of minutes but not necessarily a lot of starts.
Big ol’ Lesesne hole as DC hoped for a handball.
1-0 Carolina
That couldn’t have been more 2024 DCU.
Dajome and Schnegg for Ted and Santos. Here we go
Are we playing a back four, or a back one? Come on, guys. Bono bails us out
Fuck. Charlotte have a disciplined offside line, forwards need to figure it out
Badji and Enow for Stroud and Rodriguez
Our crossing has been woeful
Case in point there from Badji.
How did I not realize Enow is left footed?
Dajome dribbles right into a defender..
That’s game. Seasons over boys and girls.
Big Orlando fan for now
Yeah, I think DC will churn, but they’ve proven my prediction of weeks ago right, and I hate it
Welp, DC United sure no how to kill my joys.
I suppose I should be pleased that I don’t have to take an hour to travel home from the stadium with this fresh in mind, but somehow I’m not managing to appreciate the silver lining.
I didn’t want to go for superstition, this would hurt even more in person
Should have been three, there.
What especially sucks is, we weren’t undone by excellence. We just didn’t have a defensive shape for ten minutes
We haven’t had defensive shape at all in the 2nd half.
I’m gonna have to agree
NOW does everyone agree we need a right winger with a consistent ability to cross?
To be clear, I don’t know if you get what we need without a DP slot, but what the fuck has Klich done tonight?
That should’ve been 3
My theory is that we can’t have a decent rest defense until we know what patterns are our bread and butter. It’s been putting everyone too forward and hope for the best.
3-0
Should have been three, there, again.
Butt weight…
There’s the 3rd
What the absolute fuck
Orlando might save us??
or not. 🙁 🙁 🙁
The soccer gods are playing my emotions like a mandolin. Jokes on you, gods, I’m fucking numb
Orlando goal doesn’t count.
Goddamit