Weiler Era Begins With a Draw

New DC Head Coach Rene Weiler

In the first game with Rene Weiler as head coach, DC United drew 1-1 in Montreal Saturday night (August 16). The result continued a 10 game winless streak, but kept DC even with Montreal at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The teams have identical records, but Monteal is ahead on goal difference.

Weiler had a month of waiting for his work visa to be approved, so he had 5 games to watch the team play. He did not maintain the status quo, making a few lineup changes:

Forward: Benteke

Midfield: Pirani Servania (Stroud, 78th) Peltola Hopkins (Enow, 65th) Herrera

Defense: Schnegg Rowles McNaughton (Bartlett, 78th) Antley

Goal: Barraza

The biggest change was starting McNaughton in central defense in Bartlett's usual spot. Also, Herrera was in midfield (and at times forward) rather than at right back. Barraza was back in goal over Kim.

DC applied what I call positional pressure. There was not a lot of high-energy chasing, but the offensive players were very much in the Montreal end.

It was a relatively entertaining game. DC broke on top in the 28th minute. A forward header from Servania near midfield found Hopkins, who had loads of space up the center. Montreal failed to close him down, and he hit a shot from 25 yards out the found the left corner. It was his first goal since July 2024.

Antley had a good chance in the 36th minute, and Barraza made a nice save to prevent a Benteke own goal.

Montreal tied the game in the 41st minute on a defensive back pass error. Montreal's Prince Owusu slid a nice throughball to Luca Petrasso, who scored from short range. The goal gave Montreal momentum, but the half ended 1-1. Montreal has a "North Star Bell" which they ring when the home team scores. Some teams saw wood (Portland), some teams ring bells.

The second half had chances for both sides, but the game finished 1-1. DC had 16 shots for the game (3 on target) and 4 corner kicks.

After a lot of summer traveling, DC returns home this Saturday at 730pm vs Miami. Will we see Messi? Good question, especially since Miami has a Leagues Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday evening. We will have our usual great tailgate regardless.