With a 2-0 loss to Chicago on Saturday — in which both goals were given up in the final 11 minutes of regulation — D.C. United matched its poorest start in franchise history. But D.C. has a history of stumbling early and finishing strong:
5. 2004 » With rookie Freddy Adu and rookie coach Peter Nowak, D.C. goes winless in five straight after a season-opening win over San Jose. United also wins five of its last six to end the regular season 11-10-9 en route to capturing the MLS Cup.
4. 2000 » After four straight MLS Cup championship appearances, coach Thomas Rongen struggles in his second season at the helm. With forward Roy Lassiter gone, United loses two in a row to start and wins once in its first seven matches (1-5-1) and twice in its first 12 (2-9-1) before finishing the year 8-18-6.
3. 2007 » Tom Soehn‘s coaching career starts off poorly with a trio of losses to begin the season. But behind Luciano Emilio and Christian Gomez, D.C. turns things around, losing once in its next nine matches (7-1-1) and eventually finishing the regular season with MLS’ best record (16-7-7).
2. 2003 » Ray Hudson had the media in rapture on a daily basis, but an aging Marco Etcheverry and combustible Hristo Stoichkov are a disaster. D.C. goes winless in its first seven games (0-3-4) but somehow makes the playoffs with a 10-11-9 final record, losing in the first round to Chicago.
1. 1996 » The outlook is bleak for Bruce Arena and John Harkes as United goes 0-4 to begin the year, falling as low as 2-7. But a 6-2 record down the stretch is good enough for a 16-16 mark overall and a berth in the playoffs. United comes away with MLS’ inaugural title.
