In Week 20 of the MLS season, nearly 2/3rds of the year’s fixtures completed, MLS’s own Power Rankings had the following to say on their then-16th-ranked team, D.C. United:
D.C. are the ultimate hot-and-cold team as they haven't strung together any type of result since mid-March. That's left them adrift in the East, and it's not clear what the path forward is for this group.
In Week 21, Patrick Mullins made his D.C. United debut, and along with newly acquired Lloyd Sam, proceeded to light D.C.’s stagnant offense ablaze.
That’s a pretty typical Mullins goal: not very flashy, but effective and good at sensing where the play will end up.