Today, MLSsoccer.com released their 2012 review of the Black-and-Red. The comprehensive look into a campaign that lead D.C. United to the Eastern Conference Championship is broken down below.
2012 Review:
2012 record: 17-10-7 (58 points); 53 GF / 43 GA (+10 GD)
From snowstorm to hurricane to an injured Most Valuable Player and untimely red cards, D.C. United overcame nearly all the odds to reach the playoffs for the first time in five seasons under energetic head coach Ben Olsen as he and his youthful club laid the groundwork for a successful future with a memorable 2012 campaign. READ THE FULL REVIEW
Q&A with Ben Olsen:
While so many of D.C. United’s players contributed to a successful 2012 season, it’d be impossible not to credit 35-year-old coach Ben Olsen for the club’s return to relevance after a 17-10-7 season (58 points).
The end-of-year matches felt, as Olsen himself put it, like the old days at RFK Stadium, and he continually inspired his group to perform at a high level no matter the odds.
With a string of brilliant tactical substitutions down the stretch and an appearance in the Eastern Conference Championship fresh on his mind, United’s charismatic head coach weighed in on the season that was. READ THE FULL Q&A
Major strides in 2012
The Armchair Analyst takes a look at the advances D.C. United made in 2012, under the leadership of Ben Olsen. Analysis of a team who missed the playoffs in 2011 made a run to the Eastern Conference Championships in 2012, and where they will go from here. READ THE FULL ANALYSIS
McDonald joins MLS elite
Not only was McDonald the main conduit out of the back for D.C., but he was their most reliable ball winner as well, leading the club in combined clearances, blocks and interceptions by 120 and finishing ninth in the league in that category. READ THE FULL OPTA SPOTLIGHT
