DC United Miss Playoffs 7th Straight Year: From MLS Dynasty to League's Most Hopeless Team

DC United's 2-1 loss to Toronto on Wednesday sealed their seventh consecutive season without an MLS playoff berth, a stunning fall for the league's original dynasty. In a league where at least half the teams qualify each year—and 60% or more in five of those seven seasons—United's failure is historically bad. The club once defined MLS excellence, with Eddie Pope's header winning the inaugural MLS Cup and stars like Marco Etcheverry and Jaime Moreno building a dynasty. Now fans are left with annual apologies from ownership and empty promises. If United miss the playoffs again in 2027, they will tie the all-time MLS record for consecutive postseason absences. The contrast is stark: a flagship franchise reduced to a cautionary tale. With the 2026 World Cup spotlight approaching, United risk becoming an afterthought in their own city.