The 2019 season is less than three weeks away and D.C. United are in the midst of what coach Ben Olsen has dubbed his best preseason to date. Spirits appear high and the squad looks motivated to replicate the success found over the home stretch of last campaign.

While some teams claiming it’s “title or bust” at the outset of a new year may be out of touch with reality, D.C. have every right to believe that they can secure hardware in 2019. With the many weapons at their disposal and a disappointing playoff exit in the rear view fueling the team, this may in fact be the Black-and-Red’s best chance to win a trophy since 2013. The first match against reigning champions Atlanta United provides a stiff test and will immediately help in gauging where the side stands moving forward.

The 2019 season will pose a number of unique challenges for Wayne Rooney. The 33-year-old will have a valuable first preseason with the club under his belt, but at his age who knows how many quality minutes may be left in the tank. As with any player over the age of 30, his window of opportunity to lift hardware again is shrinking.

Meanwhile, Lucho Acosta is fresh off a failed move to Paris Saint-Germain, which could set up a window in which he comes out firing on all cylinders. While some players have struggled motivationally following such disappointments, Acosta has the opportunity to capitalize on the attention given in January and turn more heads in the hopes of securing a transfer to a European club at a later date.

The emergence of both Russell Canouse and Junior Moreno in midfield, with Chris Durkin waiting in reserve, provides a solid spine for the attacking riches, backed up by veteran defender Steve Birnbaum and Bill Hamid between the sticks, who produced a stellar 81 percent save success rate following his return to Major League Soccer in August.

Perhaps even more important than splash signings over an offseason is roster consistency, and D.C. certainly have that to their advantage this time around. With Acosta staying put, the only turnover experienced is the departure of Yamil Asad and Nick DeLeon. 

In their place, United brought in two players on loan from Argentina. Lucas Rodriguez is a young attacker with nearly 100 games played in all competitions in Argentina. And Leonardo Jara is an experienced right back, fresh off of an appearance in the Copa Libertadores Final for Boca Juniors against River Plate.

Both players could prove to be vital cogs for United’s chances at a trophy in 2019. However, since both are on loan, there’s also the distinct possibility that they may not return in 2020—look no further than Asad. 

If Olsen can get things right tactically and key pieces can perform up to their standard while avoiding the injury bug, 2019 may just be the year D.C are able to claim a first trophy since 2013’s U.S. Open Cup triumph.