D.C. United face Charlotte FC with playoff spot in reach

Field Level Media|published: Fri 18th October, 15:42 2024

Oct 5, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; D.C. United forward Christian Benteke (20) celebrates after a goal during the first half against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

The math for D.C. United is simple in their regular-season finale at home against Charlotte FC: Win or draw for their first MLS Cup playoff berth since 2019.

A victory also is likely to give eighth-place D.C. United (10-13-10, 40 points) home field in an Eastern Conference wild-card match, unless CF Montreal wins their final and makes up significant deficits in goal differential or goals scored.

D.C. United's Christian Benteke likely is to secure the MLS Golden Boot as the league's top scorer, with his 23 goals good for a four-goal lead on Cucho Hernandez and Denis Bouanga entering the final day.

With all that on the line, first-year manager Troy Lesesne chose to lean into the emotion of the occasion this week, inviting club greats like John Harkes, Jaime Moreno and others to visit the team.

While D.C. has not reached a major final since 2013, it was arguably the first MLS dynasty, winning the first two MLS Cup titles and four total between 1996 and 2004.

"Our guys need to understand what responsibility they carry this weekend and how supported they are," Lesesne said. "That was something that I think gave an emotional feeling to what this weekend can be, and not only this weekend but maybe what the postseason can be if we're able to take care of business."

Sixth-place Charlotte FC (13-11-9, 48 points) comparatively has little for which to play. They could finish as high as fifth or as low as seventh, but either way will avoid facing Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the first round. They would also avoid the Herons in a potential Eastern Conference semifinal unless they overtake New York City FC for fifth.

Charlotte leads the Eastern Conference with fewest goals conceded (37), and goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina could bolster his conference-leading clean sheet total to 12 in his bid for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.

"I think you have to do the best for your club, how you see fit," Charlotte manager Dean Smith said of how he will handle the final day. "Our ambition is to go as far as we can in the playoffs, and hopefully lift the MLS Cup.

"We've given ourselves that opportunity now by qualifying for the playoffs. So whatever we do is going to be with that goal of getting as far as we can."

--Field Level Media