D.C. United made it into the playoffs in 2019 as they finished in fifth place in the Eastern Conference thanks to winning three of their last six regular-season fixtures. That run included a victory over would-be MLS Cup Champions, the Seattle Sounders.
D.C. reached the postseason for the fifth time in six seasons, but the four-time MLS Cup Champions were unable to get past the first round, where they were knocked out by Toronto FC in a wild game north of the border which saw the 2017 MLS Cup Champions score four goals in the first period of extra-time to take a 5-1 victory.