Under new coach with D.C. United, Christian Benteke could soar even higher

Despite his clear talent, many in the global soccer media believed Benteke had never reached the heights he was capable of achieving. Would moving to MLS give him the push he needed to excel? Or would it cut off his development and push him toward retirement instead?

D. C. United played poorly last season, finishing outside the playoff spots in 12th, but Benteke scored 14 goals. He was the seventh-best goal-scorer in the league in 2023 and the only non-playoff athlete to crack the top 10.

In January, D. C. United hired Troy Lesesne as head coach, a clear sign of the team's greater ambitions. As a proud product of the Red Bulls soccer network, Lesesne believes in high-line, possession-based tactics — the opposite of what D. C. played in 2023. 

Lesesne signed Guatemalan wingback Aaron Herrera to support that tactical change. Herrera excels at lobbing balls into the box for strikers to convert into goals, and with tall Benteke available as that striker, D. C. shifted into a dangerous team on paper.

When D. C. United kicked off its season against the New England Revolution, that danger became real. D. C. won the match 3-1 thanks to a Benteke hat trick. Two of his goals came from towering headers. And who crossed the ball in for those headers? Herrera.

Benteke is the type of player who should thrive in a high-pressing lineup, and his performance against New England proves that he's still got plenty more to give to MLS. The league agrees — it voted Benteke as the best player of the first weekend.

Benteke acknowledged he and his teammates may need time before the new offensive philosophy fully takes hold.

"If we win, great," he said. "If you lose, it's not the end of the world, because we are still trying to play a new way that Troy [Lesesne] wants us to play.

"I think obviously now we are more front-foot. We want to press, we want to regain the ball higher up on the pitch, which is good."

Benteke's aerial strength, coupled with sharp crosses from Herrera, could take D.C. United to new heights after last's year's slide.

Benteke and D. C. continue their 2024 season Saturday against Western Conference leaders the Portland Timbers.