Going into the 2018 season, it was assumed that Taylor Kemp would reprise his role as D.C. United’s left back. Though the 2013 draft pick had missed the back end of the 2017 season after surgery, there had been plenty of time for recovery. However, when Kemp failed to make an appearance in preseason, the left back position became a huge question on the makeup of the squad.
A couple of options filtered in and out of the preseason without sticking, and United went into the season with Nick DeLeon and Oniel Fisher as the two starting outside backs.