D.C. United began the 2024 season Saturday with its new coach watching with its new general manager from the suite level, its two most experienced players unavailable and five newcomers in the lineup.
A campaign carrying high turnover and low expectation took flight with a man advantage for most of the night and a hat trick by striker Christian Benteke.
And on a cold night at Audi Field, United’s season took its first steps with a 3-1 victory over the travel-strained Revolution before an announced 19,215.
The season also started with members of the supporters’ groups holding up a banner saying “Say No to Sportswashing” — a protest about the team’s preseason trip to Saudi Arabia.