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D.C. United are currently 13th out of 14 teams in the Eastern Conference, but are only one point (and some tiebreakers) below the red line for playoff qualification. If they want to make the playoffs, they’re going to have to start turning losses into draws and draws into wins. Now, we know the teams that United will play in the third segment of these year’s wholly unique MLS regular season.
D.C. United fall schedule
| Opponent | Date | Location | Time | Opponent PPG (as of today) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Date | Location | Time | Opponent PPG (as of today) |
| Atlanta United | October 3 | Home | 7:00 | 0.92 |
| New York City FC | October 6 | Away | 7:00 | 1.17 |
| Chicago Fire | October 11 | Away | 7:30 | 0.75 |
| Philadelphia Union | October 14 | Home | 8:00 | 2 |
| FC Cincinnati | October 18 | Away | 7:30 | 1 |
| Atlanta United | October 24 | Away | 4:00 | 0.92 |
| Columbus Crew | October 28 | Home | 8:00 | 2.25 |
| New England Revolution | November 1 | Away | 7:30 | 1.25 |
| Montreal Impact | November 8 | Home | 3:30 | 1.33 |
There are plenty of teams on this list battling for playoff positioning just like D.C. United, so the team has some opportunities to make up ground against the middle and bottom of the Eastern Conference. If they can limit the damage and grab at least a point or two against the Columbus Crew and the Philadelphia Union, and then do well against teams in a similar situation to them, they should be able to grab a playoff spot. Their destiny is on their hands.
The stretch in early October will test the team’s already limited depth, as they’ll play Saturday-Tuesday-Sunday-Wednesday-Sunday. Every field player on the roster and healthy will see playing time in that stretch, and managing minutes and making the best use of tired players will end up determining this team’s fate for the season.
On Decision Day, all of the Eastern Conference games will kick off at 3:30, while the Western Conference will kick off at 6:30. Full TV details were not announced, but it does not look like any of United’s games are on national TV for the rest of the year. This, however, could change.
It is going to be a lot of soccer, and I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully I’ll feel the same way at the end of this run.