D.C. United Sign Steven Birnbaum to a Two-Year Contract Extension

April 27, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – D.C. United News Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – D.C. United defender and captain Steven Birnbaum has signed a two-year contract extension with the club through 2025.

“Steven is in his 10th season with the team and continues to be one of the most consistent defenders in the league,” Dave Kasper, D.C. United President of Soccer Operations, said. “He is a leader in the locker room and in the DC community so we’re excited to extend his contract through 2025 and continue having him as a stalwart in our backline.

After being drafted second overall in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, Birnbaum has established himself as one of the most reliable and consistent defenders in the league. In his 10th season with the Black-and-Red, the 32-year-old has appeared in every match (9) and scored one goal in 2023. Birnbaum has made 256 career appearances for D.C. United, making him the third-most featured player in club history behind Jaime Moreno (386) and Bill Hamid (297).

“Steven has a massive influence on our team both on and off the field,” Wayne Rooney, D.C. United Head Coach, said. “From playing with him to now managing him, he continues to be one of the best defenders in the league week-in, week-out. I’m happy we could put pen to paper with him for another two years and I congratulate him for his years of service to the club.”

The California native has been one of the most aerially dominant center backs in the league. In 2018, Birnbaum led MLS in numerous categories including aerials won (163), percentage of aerials won (79.9%), clearances (213), and minutes played (3,060). Since 2019, he leads the league in aerial duels won (451), is fourth in headed clearances (256), and top ten in clearances (437). This season, Birnbaum is ranked in the top-five for aerials won (39) and percentage of aerials won (83%). In his career with the Black-and-Red, Birnbaum has made 256 appearances; scoring 14 goals and recording six assists across all competitions.

In his rookie season, Birnbaum made 21 appearances for the Black-and-Red with his debut coming in a 0-0 draw against Columbus Crew on June 7, 2014. Following an impressive debut season, Birnbaum was a finalist for the 2014 MLS Rookie of the Year. The defender scored his first career goal for United against Toronto FC on June 6, 2015. In his third season with the Black-and-Red, Birnbaum was named to the 2016 MLS All-Star Game after setting career-highs in goals (3) and assists (2).

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