Zoltán Stieber entered his first full season with D.C. United focused on helping revamp United's lackluster 2017 attack. The midfielder joined the Black-and-Red in August 2017 on a transfer from German side 1. FC Kaiserslautern, and after making his first start for D.C. on August 26 against the New England Revolution, went on to appear in all eight of United's remaining matches in 2017. In 2018, the Black-and-Red coaching staff relied on Stieber to bring versatility and depth to a transformed Black-and-Red attack.
Stieber was a valuable option throughout his first full season in the District, appearing in 27 of the Black-and-Red’s 34 matches and starting in 21. The 30-year-old attacking midfielder finished the season with five goals and seven assists, and contributed in a variety of ways, both as a starter and a dangerous option off the bench. At the beginning of the season, Stieber was regulary in the starting XI for Ben Olsen, and the midfielder got on the scoresheet in United's trips to Philadelphia, Real Salt Lake, San Jose, Toronto, New England, LAFC, and Atlanta.
When the coaching staff switched formations in favor of two defensive midfielders instead of four attacking midfielders, Stieber more often came off the bench than started. But his role on the team didn’t end in the second half of the season—it simply changed.
Stieber’s versatility made him a useful depth player for head coach Ben Olsen, especially down the crucial stretch of the season when United were vying for a playoff spot. Stieber regularly came on as a substitute for a jolt of energy and attacking prowess, or filled in as a starter for players who were injured or fatigued. The midfielder is a dangerous threat in the attacking midfield, where he can slot centrally or control the wing, but the Hungarian has also played as a forward and even filled in at left back throughout his career—a testament to Stieber's knowledge of the game and skillset in various roles.
When United hosted the Revs on August 19, Stieber entered the match as a 60th-minute substitute and scored the home side's second goal of the night en route to a 2-0 victory. In other matches, the entry of the midfielder would help United regain possession and control of the game. Stieber's pace and finesse on the ball was relied upon in the final stretches of a number of games, when tired legs and tight contests made the Hungarian's late-match minutes all the more valuable.
Stieber has proven he can factor into the lineup as a starter or a second-half substitute, and will look to continue to contribute to the team in any capacity needed in 2019. The Black-and-Red had one of the most impressive resurgences of offensive firepower between the 2017 and 2018 campaigns, and Stieber was a key factor in the club's "goals by committee" approach this year. When United return next season and look to establish themselves as one of the league's top attacking powerhouses, Stieber will look to continue to produce for the offense however he's called upon.
