"We Deserve Better"
DC United 0-1 NYCFC, 7 November 2026
On a brisk November day (sunny, 50s, strong winds; fall has finally arrived in earnest) DC United ended its 2026 season with its 6th consecutive loss, giving up a late counterattack goal to Talles Magno in the 87th minute.
Lineup for DC:
Farr in goal
Kurokawa, Nealis, Hefti, Nono in defense
Ordaz, Dozzell, Peltola, Avilez in midfield
Peglow, Servania at forward
Subs: Stroud for Ordaz (68th), Markovic for Avilez (75th), Antley for Servania (91st).
No need to say much about this game. Both teams were already eliminated from the playoffs, and Coach Weiler used the game to look at a couple of players who are not usual starters (in particular, Farr, who did a good job of coming off his line and controlling the box). DC played hard (they pretty much always have done that under Weiler) but with both starting strikers (and our 2 DPs) out with injuries (both have had or will have offseason surgery) there was little offensive threat. NYCFC's goal was the result of a counterattack and a DC midfielder's slip at midfield. To DC's credit, they were attacking in hopes of scoring and winning.
It was a disappointing finish to the season. DC had their destiny in their own hands a month ago, with a series of games against fellow playoff rivals. The hard truth is that there was not enough quality (and in particular, depth) to sustain a season-long run.
We just had 2 DPs; we have not had all 3 alloted DPs in years. A brutal stretch of 7 games in 22 days, a key injury here, a red card or accumulated yellow card suspension there, and the thin margin of getting results evaporated.
To quote an old adage, we "brought a knife to a gunfight". Unless you are Swan from the old cult movie "The Warriors" or the scifi antihero Riddick, it's going to end badly, and it did. And the responsibility for this is not on the players or the coach; it goes higher.
To quote Weiler, who spoke indirectly as he needed to, "I know what we have to do. I think I have the knowledge and experience. Whether everybody [knows] what we have to do... is a question. But I'm not the guy to respond to it". (from the Washington Post, Thomas Floyd I believe). The GM and the owner are the ones who obtain the players that make up the team. This is on them.
Last year, when we "won" our 5th "Wooden Spoon" for the worst team in the league (see below), there were chants of "SELL THE TEAM". The supporters section did not cheer at all in the second half of this game (I assume some sort of protest), and after the game a banner was put up saying "we deserve better". Some people take a long time to learn, some never learn, some have other priorities like professional volleyball teams when DC is one of only 3 MLS franchises without a developmental MLS Next Pro team, the Audi Field roof leaks, and season ticket holders for decades stop going to games.
There's lots more I could say; much of it has already been said by Stephen Goff on Yahoo. I will add an adapted quote from the 1950s: "have you, at last, no sense of decency, sirs?"
The 2027 "sprint season" starts on February 21, with a home game against the New York Red Bulls. Maybe the shorter season will mask our deficiencies better. I hope Weiler stays at least through that season, although I wouldn't blame him a bit if he left. In the meantime, if you want a happier local soccer experience to boost your mood, try the Washington Spirit; the contrast is like night and day.
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