.png)
Every week, across several sports, players around the DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia) shine in individual performance. Every Monday, I’d like to take a minute to highlight some of those performances, including what I view as the best performance and name that athlete the “DMV Star of the Week.”
This week’s DMV Star of the Week is D.C. United Striker Christian Benteke.
D.C. United currently sits in 9th place in MLS. Only nine teams make the MLS playoffs.
Going into Saturday night’s clash with Chicago, D.C. United had not won an MLS regular season match since July 4.
That changed in a big way over Labor Day weekend, as DCU scored four goals in a match for the first time all season on the way to a dominant 4-0 win over the Fire.
The team's star striker, Christian Benteke, netted two of the four goals, earning himself another DMV Star of the Week award.
In the 9’ minute, Benteke put United on top. In stoppage time, with the team leading 3--0, he added another for good measure to secure his brace and score his tenth goal of the season, which is tied for tenth across MLS.
With just seven games to go in the regular season, it will be a very close fight to the finish for DCU if they want to make the playoffs.
Keep in mind, this was the worst team in MLS just a season ago. Head Coach Wayne Rooney has his team in the mix and has demonstrated tremendous improvement from 2022 to 2023.
The DMV saw six teams in action this past week, including the Washington Nationals, D.C. United, Washington Spirit, Washington Mystics, and Maryland and Howard football teams.
Here are some honorable mention performances for DMV Star of the Week:
D.C. United Goalkeeper Alex Bono kept a clean sheet in Saturday’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Chicago
Maryland football Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa went 22/33 for 260 yards and 3 touchdowns passing to go along with 28 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in Saturday’s 38-6 win over Towson
Howard football Running Back Eden James rushed for 96 yards on just 9 carries in Saturday’s 33-23 loss to Eastern Michigan
Maryland wide receiver Corey Dyches had 6 catches for 108 yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s Week 1 victory over Towson
Here’s what’s coming up this week in DMV Sports:
Washington Commanders (0-0, 1st in NFC East)
9/10 vs. Arizona (Opening Day)
Washington Nationals (62-76, 5th in NL East, 29 GB)
9/5 vs. New York Mets
9/6 vs. New York Mets
9/8 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
9/9 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
9/10 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Maryland Terrapins Football (1-0 overall, 0-0, 1st in Big 10 East)
9/9 vs. Charlotte
Howard Bison Football (0-1 overall, 0-0, 1st in MEAC)
9/9 vs. Morehouse
D.C. United: (9-6-12, 33 points, 9th in Eastern Conference)
9/9 vs. San Jose
Washington Spirit: (6-8-4, 26 points, 6th in NWSL)
Off this week
Washington Mystics: (17-20, 4th in Eastern Conference)
9/5 @ Phoenix
9/8 vs. Atlanta
9/10 @ New York (Regular Season Finale)
*Denotes games I will be covering in-person
Comments