For the seventh straight season, D.C. missed out on the MLS Cup playoffs after a dismal start to the campaign under Troy Lesesne. By the time that Swiss coach Rene Weiler took charge in August, it was too late to reverse the situation.
Nevertheless, the Black and Red enjoyed a late-season boost thanks to Weiler, who opened his tenure with a 1-1 draw at Montreal, putting an end to a six-match losing streak. D.C. would follow that up with a 1-1 draw vs. Inter Miami, which confirmed that they would not be playing postseason soccer.
D.C. didn't wallow in this disappointment and instead prevailed with a 2-1 win at New York City FC, their first victory in three months, before facing off against Orlando at home.