2008 D.C. United season explained

Club:D.C. United
Season:2008
League:Major League Soccer
League Result:10th
Chrtitle:Owner
Chairman:D.C. United Holdings
Mgrtitle:Coach
Manager:Tom Soehn
Cup1:MLS Cup
Cup1 Result:Did not qualify
Cup2:U.S. Open Cup
Cup2 Result:Champions
Cup3:CONCACAF Champions League
Cup3 Result:Group stage
Cup4:CONCACAF Champions' Cup
Cup4 Result:Semifinals
Cup5:Atlantic Cup
Cup5 Result:Champions
League Topscorer:Luciano Emilio (9 goals)
Highest Attendance:35,979
vs. LA (Jun 29)
Lowest Attendance:14,660
vs. HOU (Jul 23)
Average Attendance:19,835
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American:true
Prevseason:2007
Nextseason:2009

The 2008 D.C. United season was the fourteenth year of the club's existence, as well as their thirteenth season in Major League Soccer and their thirteenth consecutive season in the top tier of the American soccer pyramid.

To fans and the media alike, this year marked a downfall for the franchise, as well as end to what was considered a "second golden age" for the club in league play. The justification behind this involved the United failing to defend the Supporters' Shield, an awarded given to the MLS club with the best regular season record, for a third-consecutive year. With a 10th-place overall finish and a 6th-place finish in the Eastern Conference, United finished the lowest in the conference and league tables since 2002. With the subpar record, United failed to make the playoffs, having qualified since 2003.

Their performance league play reflected on the continental stage as well. Finishing as the 2007 MLS Supporters' Shield winners, United qualified for the inaugural CONCACAF Champions League. The tournament replaced the obsolete CONCACAF Champions' Cup, and was modeled similarly to its cousin tournament, the UEFA Champions League. In the Champions League, United continued their misfortunes, losing all their Group stage matches at home, and only managing to pick up one draw at Costa Rica's Saprissa. United finished in the bottom of Group C, with a record of 0–1–5 (W-T-L).

In spite of the poorer performance in league and continental play, United excelled in the U.S. Open Cup play, ultimately winning the domestic title against Charleston Battery, 2–1. The domestic cup title was their first since their inaugural season. The U.S. Open Cup, a domestic cup tournament much similar to the FA Cup runs parallel to the regular seasons of all tiers of professional and amateur soccer in the United States. The tournament is open for entry for any soccer club, professional or amateur, that is affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation. For MLS clubs, the top six American MLS clubs overall in the regular season are admitted entry into the third round proper, or round of 16, in the tournament. By finishing 1st overall in the regular season, United booked a third round entry in the tournament proper. The club opened Open Cup play with wins against Rochester Rhinos of the USL First Division (second tier) and New England Revolution of MLS (first tier) in the third round and quarterfinals respectively. In the semifinals, United won in extra time to defeat Chicago Fire. In the championship, United defeated Charleston Battery of the USL Second Division (third tier) to win the Open Cup for a second time in club history.

Club

2008 roster

Transfers

In

DatePlayerPositionPrevious clubFee/notesRef
January 18, 2008 MF / FW 2008 MLS SuperDraft, Round 3 selection [1]
January 22, 2008 DF Free, Discovery Player
January 29, 2008 MF Free [2]
March 1, 2008 DF Free
March 15, 2008 MF [3]
March 27, 2008 GK Developmental contract [4]
April 17, 2008 DF Traded for undisclosed SuperDraft pick
April 23, 2008 FW Waived by New York, free transfer [5]
June 30, 2008 MF Free [6]
July 16, 2008 MF Free
July 31, 2008 MF San Jose Earthquakes Trade for partial allocation
August 7, 2008 GK Undisclosed [7]
September 15, 2008 DF / MF Free [8]
September 16, 2008 MF Loaned, subsequently signed developmental contract [9]

Loan

In

PlayerPos.FromStartEndRef
FW January 22, 2008 June 28, 2008 (waived) [10]
DF September 1, 2008 January 31, 2009
MF / FW September 1, 2008 January 31, 2009 [11]

Standings

Major League Soccer

Conference Standings

Overall Table

CONCACAF Champions League

Group A

ClubPldWDLGFGAGDPts
align=left Marathón6 4 1 1 12 5 +7 13
align=left Cruz Azul6 3 1 2 8 4 +4 10
align=left Saprissa6 3 1 2 7 9 −2 10
align=left D.C. United6 0 1 5 4 13 −9 1

Match results

MLS

WinTieLoss
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersRef.
March 29, 2008Kansas City WizardsA0–210,385[12]
April 5, 2008Toronto FCH4–120,161Emilio, Quaranta, Gallardo, Moreno[13]
April 12, 2008Real Salt LakeA0-413,193[14]
April 17, 2008Columbus CrewH1–213,329Namoff[15]
April 26, 2008Real Salt LakeH4-123,269Moreno (2), Quaranta, Gallardo[16]
May 4, 2008Colorado RapidsA0-213,115[17]
May 8, 2008Chicago FireH0–218,605[18]
May 17, 2008Chivas USAA1–313,113Gallardo[19]
May 21, 2008Toronto FCA0-119,791[20]
May 24, 2008Toronto FCH3–218,647Peralta, Moreno, Emilio[21]
May 29, 2008New England RevolutionA2–28,159Emilio, Fred[22]
June 7, 2008Chicago FireA1–219,256Moreno, Emilio[23]
June 14, 2008New York Red BullsH4-118,622Emilio (3), Simms[24]
June 22, 2008San Jose EarthquakesH3–117,922Simms, Martínez, Emilio[25]
June 29, 2008Los Angeles GalaxyH4–135,979Moreno, Emilio (2), Gallardo[26]
July 23, 2008Houston DynamoH0–214,460[27]
August 2, 2008Kansas City WizardsH2–018,731Emilio, Moreno[28]
August 10, 2008New York Red BullsA1-415,038Moreno[29]
August 16, 2008Chicago FireA0–119,560Fred[30]
August 20, 2008New England RevolutionA1-214,962Moreno[31]
August 23, 2008Colorado RapidsH3–017,283Vide, Quaranta, Kirk[32]
August 30, 2008New York Red BullsH0–015,616[33]
September 6, 2008San Jose EarthquakesA1-210,121Quaranta[34]
September 13, 2008FC DallasH2–219,890Moreno, Quaranta[35]
September 20, 2008Los Angeles GalaxyA2-527,000McTavish, Khumalo[36]
September 28, 2008FC DallasA0-312,138[37]
October 4, 2008Chivas USAH0–328,145[38]
October 12, 2008Houston DynamoA0–017,531[39]
October 16, 2008New England RevolutionH2–116,672Doe (2)[40]
October 26, 2008Columbus CrewA0-119,591[41]

CONCACAF Champions' Cup

See also: 2008 CONCACAF Champions' Cup.

WinTieLoss
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersRef.
QFMarch 12, 2008 Harbour ViewA1–16,985McTavish[42]
QFMarch 18, 2008 Harbour ViewH5–012,394McTavish (2), Emilio (2), Fred[43]
SFApril 1, 2008 PachucaA0–218,642[44]
SFApril 9, 2008 PachucaH2–117,329Dyachenko, Niell[45]

CONCACAF Champions League

See also: 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League.

WinTieLoss
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersRef.
GSSeptember 16, 2008 SaprissaH0–26,105[46]
GSSeptember 24, 2008 MarathónA0-28,000[47]
GSOctober 1, 2008 Cruz AzulH0–17,124[48]
GSOctober 9, 2008 SaprissaA2–210,000Doe, Dyachenko[49]
GSOctober 21, 2008 Cruz AzulA0-24,265[50]
GSOctober 29, 2008 MarathónH2–47,156Doe, Janicki[51]

U.S. Open Cup

See also: 2008 U.S. Open Cup.

WinTieLoss
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersRef.
R3July 1, 2008Rochester RhinosH2–02,752Burch (2)
QFJuly 8, 2008Chicago FireH2–1 (a.e.t.)4,118Doe, Namoff[52]
SFAugust 12, 2008New England RevolutionH3–16,797Emilio (2), Quaranta[53]
FSeptember 3, 2008Charleston BatteryH2–18,212Emilio, Fred[54]

Notes and References

  1. News: United trade defender Prideaux to Colorado. May 28, 2011. USA Today. December 15, 2006.
  2. News: Gallardo Is United's Highest-Paid Player Ever. April 4, 2008 . The Washington Post . Steven . Goff . April 4, 2008.
  3. Web site: United acquire Kirk from Galaxy . February 16, 2008.
  4. Web site: Major League Soccer: Roster: Player Bio. dcunited.mlsnet.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20100324143812/http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t103&player=thorpe_j&playerId=tho573734&statType=current . March 24, 2010.
  5. News: Goff, Steven . United's Start Has a Familiar Look . The Washington Post . May 2, 2008 . April 23, 2008.
  6. D.C. United acquire Craig Thompson . . June 30, 2008 . Washington, D.C. . April 7, 2009 .
  7. News: Crayton geht, Almerares kommt!. May 28, 2011. FC Basel. August 7, 2008. German. https://web.archive.org/web/20080818171947/http://fcb.ch/news/show/byItemID/10044/20644/16/7. August 18, 2008. dead. mdy-all.
  8. News: Player Bio: Ryan Miller . D.C. United . February 10, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090304204231/http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t103&player=miller_r&playerId=mil395269&statType=current . March 4, 2009. dead.
  9. Web site: Butler . Brian . Teams beef up rosters prior to freeze deadline . September 16, 2008 . . April 15, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080919025008/http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20080916&content_id=188371&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp . September 19, 2008 .
  10. News: Niell Close to Joining DC United. October 9, 2023. January 8, 2008.
  11. News: Khumalo signs for DC United. May 28, 2011. Kickoff.com. September 10, 2008.
  12. News: Wizards win season opener, blank D.C. United. https://archive.today/20120717121120/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237753. dead. July 17, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. March 29, 2008.
  13. News: D.C. United overwhelms Toronto FC. https://web.archive.org/web/20121025215127/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237758?cc=5901. dead. October 25, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. April 5, 2008.
  14. News: Beckerman scores twice as Real Salt Lake romps. https://archive.today/20120717150450/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237769?cc=5901. dead. July 17, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. April 12, 2008.
  15. News: Moreno, own goal send Crew past United. https://archive.today/20120714164320/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237771?cc=5901. dead. July 14, 2012. May 28, 2011. Carolina RailHawks FC. April 17, 2008.
  16. Web site: Moreno scores twice, propels D.C. United past Real. https://archive.today/20120717013112/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237781?cc=5901. dead. July 17, 2012. Associated Press. ESPNSoccernet.com. May 28, 2011.
  17. News: Peterson, Erpen power Rapids past D.C. United. https://archive.today/20120729161054/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237791?cc=5901. dead. July 29, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. May 11, 2011.
  18. News: Mapp, Blanco fuel Fire past D.C. United. https://archive.today/20120714081147/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237792?cc=5901. dead. July 14, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. May 8, 2008.
  19. News: Second-half explosion fuels Chivas USA past D.C. United. https://archive.today/20120731014039/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237803?cc=5901. dead. July 31, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. May 17, 2008.
  20. News: Dichio, Toronto FC keep D.C. United reeling. https://web.archive.org/web/20121025215231/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237805?cc=5901. dead. October 25, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. May 21, 2008.
  21. News: Moreno, Emilio help United snap skid. https://archive.today/20120718125221/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237807?cc=5901. dead. July 18, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. May 24, 2008.
  22. News: Dube rallies Revolution to draw. https://web.archive.org/web/20121025215334/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237813?cc=5901. dead. October 25, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. May 29, 2008.
  23. News: Emilio's late goal helps D.C. United edge Fire. https://archive.today/20120719163819/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237822?cc=5901. dead. July 19, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. June 7, 2008.
  24. News: Emilio's hat trick leads DC United past Red Bulls. https://web.archive.org/web/20121025203955/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237828?cc=5901. dead. October 25, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. June 14, 2008.
  25. News: Second-half flurry sends United to third straight win. https://web.archive.org/web/20121025215424/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237841?cc=5901. dead. October 25, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. June 22, 2008.
  26. News: Emilio lifts D.C. United past Galaxy. https://web.archive.org/web/20121025215434/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237848?cc=5901. dead. October 25, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. June 29, 2008.
  27. News: Dynamo survive weather and D.C. United. https://web.archive.org/web/20121025215446/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/244613?cc=5901. dead. October 25, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. July 23, 2008.
  28. News: Moreno, Emilio help United top Wizards. https://archive.today/20120713234437/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237870?cc=5901. dead. July 13, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. August 2, 2008.
  29. News: Angel leads New York past D.C. United. https://archive.today/20120718064423/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237878?cc=5901. dead. July 18, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. August 10, 2008.
  30. News: Fred leads D.C. United past Fire. https://web.archive.org/web/20121025223803/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237883?cc=5901. dead. October 25, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. August 16, 2008.
  31. News: Twellman stars as Revolution down United. https://archive.today/20120715103428/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237888?cc=5901. dead. July 15, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. August 20, 2008.
  32. News: Vide, Quaranta push United over Rapids. https://archive.today/20120714165903/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237892?cc=5901. dead. July 14, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. August 23, 2008.
  33. News: United claim Atlantic Cup in scoreless draw. https://archive.today/20120717201359/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237898?cc=5901. dead. July 17, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. August 30, 2008.
  34. News: Alvarez, Huckerby fire Earthquakes to victory. https://archive.today/20120717152908/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237908?cc=5901. dead. July 17, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. September 6, 2008.
  35. News: Rocha nets FC Dallas draw with D.C.. https://web.archive.org/web/20121025224025/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237915?cc=5901. dead. October 25, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. September 13, 2008.
  36. News: Donovan hat trick powers L.A. past D.C.. https://archive.today/20120716104725/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237923?cc=5901. dead. July 16, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. September 20, 2008.
  37. News: FC Dallas dominates D.C. United. https://archive.today/20120722232718/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237931?cc=5901. dead. July 22, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. September 28, 2008.
  38. News: Kennedy, Chivas shut out DC United. https://web.archive.org/web/20121025224214/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237934?cc=5901. dead. October 25, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. October 4, 2008.
  39. News: D.C. United, Dynamo play to a scoreless draw. https://archive.today/20120730155008/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237944?cc=5901. dead. July 30, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. October 12, 2008.
  40. News: Doe propels D.C. United to much-needed win. https://archive.today/20120714143003/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237946?cc=5901. dead. July 14, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. October 16, 2008.
  41. News: Columbus 1–0 D.C.: United eliminated from postseason. https://archive.today/20120713232847/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/237959?cc=5901. dead. July 13, 2012. May 28, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. October 26, 2008.
  42. News: United draw Jamaica's Harbour View to open Champions' Cup. https://archive.today/20120715031129/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match/_/id/238115?cc=5901. dead. July 15, 2012. May 29, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. March 12, 2008.
  43. News: United route Harbour View to advance to CONCACAF semis. https://archive.today/20120715023601/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match/_/id/238118?cc=5901. dead. July 15, 2012. May 29, 2011. ESPNSoccernet.com. March 18, 2008.
  44. http://ww2.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20080402&content_id=146906&vkey=news_dcu&fext=.jsp&team=t103 Latest News MLSsoccer.com
  45. Web site: D.C. United: News: D.C. Can't get goals they need in win. dcunited.mlsnet.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20090630080616/http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20080409&content_id=149478&vkey=news_dcu&fext=.jsp&team=t103 . June 30, 2009.
  46. News: Match Report: D.C. United vs Saprissa. May 28, 2011. CONCACAF. September 17, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20090306035301/http://www.concacaf.com/competitions/matchreport/7156.pdf. March 6, 2009 . dead.
  47. News: Match Report: Marathón vs D.C. United. May 28, 2011. CONCACAF. September 25, 2008.
  48. http://www.concacaf.com/competitions/matchreport/7169.pdf
  49. Web site: MATCH STATISTICS/ESTADISTICAS DEL PARTIDO . https://web.archive.org/web/20090306133110/http://www.concacaf.com/competitions/matchreport/7171.pdf . March 6, 2009 . www.concacaf.com.
  50. Web site: CCL 2008–09 Match Report: Cruz Azul vs. D.C. United. Confederation of North, Central American and the Caribbean Association Football.
  51. Web site: MATCH STATISTICS/ESTADISTICAS DEL PARTIDO . https://web.archive.org/web/20090306133118/http://www.concacaf.com/competitions/matchreport/7174.pdf . March 6, 2009 . www.concacaf.com.
  52. News: Tenorio. Paul. Moreno Comes In, United Moves On. May 28, 2011. The Washington Post. July 9, 2008.
  53. News: Emilio, Quaranta brace propels United to USOC final. May 28, 2011. D.C. United. August 12, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20090103000333/http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20080812&content_id=179784&vkey=news_dcu&fext=.jsp&team=t103 . January 3, 2009. dead.
  54. News: Leon. Chris. Battery edged by DC United in Cup Final Thriller. May 28, 2011. Charleston Battery. September 3, 2008.

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