STEVEN BIRNBAUM NEWS

Steven Birnbaum, D.C. United's retiring captain, signs off with a cameo The injury-plagued defender took the field for the opening seconds of a 4-0 loss to Celtic in a friendly at Audi Field.

JULY 21, 2024 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

D.C. United D Steven Birnbaum announces retirement D.C.United captain Steven Birnbaum announced his retirement and will be celebrated at halftime Saturday during halftime of a friendly agains...

JULY 16, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

DC United captain Steven Birnbaum retires | MLSSoccer.com TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Retirement D.C. United captain and center back Steven Birnbaum has retired from professional soccer after 11 season...

JULY 16, 2024 • MLSSOCCER.COM

D.C. United captain Steven Birnbaum out indefinitely with left knee issue The 33-year-old center back underwent preseason surgery and was initially expected to miss at least four matches.

JUNE 13, 2024 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

Out with knee injury Birnbaum is out indefinitely with a knee injury, Steven Goff of The Washington Post reports.

Impact Birnbaum missed the start of the season after undergoing preseason surgery but had started DC United's last four matches, and now he's slated to be out without a clear timetable for his return. Christopher McVey (knee) and Matai Akinmboni are expected to see an uptick in minutes while Birnbaum is out.

JUNE 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Provides assist in draw Birnbaum assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), one cross (one accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 1-1 draw versus Chicago Fire. In addition, he was given a y...

Impact Birnbaum extended a set piece cross towards Christopher McVey, setting up the opening goal in the 20th minute of the match. It was Birnbaum's first assist of the campaign, while the five clearances were a team-high and season-high mark for him. He has started each of the last two games as part of a three-man central defense which has yet to earn a clean sheet in that period.

MAY 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

After a bumpy recovery, Steven Birnbaum returns 'fonder of the game' Birnbaum is scheduled to travel to his first away match Saturday against Atlanta and remain on call in case D.C. United needs defensive rein...

MAY 10, 2024 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

Returns to bench Birnbaum (knee) is back on the bench for Saturday's clash with Seattle.

Impact Birnbaum missed two months with the knee injury but is now back on the bench. The defender is a solid depth option but even when fully fit he might not trouble the starting XI too consistently. Birnbaum's first chance to start is a May 4 clash with Philadelphia.

APRIL 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out with knee injury Birnbaum was not present in training Thursday while rehabbing from offseason knee surgery and is not expected to play against New England on Saturday, Jose Mauricio Umana of WTOP r...

Impact Birnbaum underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in early February. While the recovery timetable was expected to hover around "a few weeks," it seems the 33-year-old defender won't be available to feature in the season opener, given he didn't participate in Thursday's training session at all. Birnbaum is third on the club's all-time list for regular season appearances with 248 and is expected to be a regular starter at center-back when healthy.

FEBRUARY 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet in win Birnbaum generated one shot (zero on goal) in Saturday's 2-0 victory over New York City FC. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 46th minute.

Impact Birnbaum played just 51 minutes during the final match of the season. He started 20 of the 22 games played, recording a goal with 74 clearances and 23 interceptions. The defender struggled with a few injury stints that limited him to some playing time, playing in 10 games less than the 2022 campaign.

OCTOBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Absent from injury report Birnbaum (hip) is not on the injury report for Saturday's clash against New York Red Bulls.

Impact Birnbaum has missed the last two matches, but the fact that he isn't listed in the injury report is certainly an encouraging update. Given DC United's problems and lack of depth at the back, his return would solve quite a few issues for Wayne Rooney's team.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up questionable tag Brinbaum (hip) is questionable for Saturday's match against Charlotte, according to the D.C. injury report.

Impact Birnbaum is back on the injury report and is a game-time decision Saturday. The defender is a crucial part of the back line and if he can play in any capacity he is likely to be back on the pitch. Brendan Hines-Ike could get the start if Birnbaum doesn't pass his fitness tests.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Completes six clearances Birnbaum recorded three shots (two on goal) in Saturday's 0-0 draw against San Jose Earthquakes.

Impact Birnbaum has logged in 19 clearances in the last five matches to bring his average per match to 3.7 while starting 18 of the 19 games played thus far.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unused sub Birnbaum (head) was an unused substitute during Thursday's 0-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union during the Leagues Cup.

Impact Birnbaum suffered a head injury on July 15 that had kept him out for the entire Leagues Cup. Now that D.C have been eliminated for the tournament, the defender will use the time to rest up and build back match fitness for August 20th clash with the Red Bulls.

AUGUST 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Comes off with head injury Birnbaum (head) was forced off with a head injury during the first half of Saturday's clash with New England.

Impact Birnbaum was forced off in the first half after a head-to-head collision. The defender was replaced by Brendan Hines-Ike in the starting XI. Birnbaum, has the entire Summer break to recover fully.

JULY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Can return from suspension Birnbaum will be eligible to feature in next weekend's clash against Nashville SC after serving a red card suspension.

Impact Birnbaum missed Saturday's win over FC Cincinnati after getting sent off in the previous match versus RSL, but he'll be available to return against Nashville at the weekend. He's likely to take back over from Brendan Hines-Ike in the XI at center-back.

JUNE 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

DC United defender Steven Birnbaum fined after red card | MLSSoccer.com The MLS Disciplinary Committee has issued one ruling following Matchday 19 of the 2023 season.

JUNE 20, 2023 • MLSSOCCER.COM

Straight red card Saturday Birnbaum recorded one shot (zero on goal) in Saturday's 2-1 defeat versus Real Salt Lake. He was sent off with a straight red card in the 26th minute.

Impact Because of the straight red card, Birnbaum will have to wait until July before he can suit up for D.C. United again. He will finish June with seven clearances and four interceptions across three appearances.

JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starts in win Birnbaum made three clearances, three interceptions and created a chance in Saturday's 2-1 victory against Inter Miami.

Impact Birnbaum made his first appearance since April on Saturday after recovering from a hip injury, and he defended well alongside Derrick Williams and Donovan Pines in the back-three against Miami.

JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available on bench Birnbaum is on the bench for Saturday's match against Toronto FC.

Impact Birnbaum has missed the last month with a hip injury, but is back and available off the bench Saturday. He is expected to return to the lineup once he returns to full match form. The defender has totaled 30 clearances in the last six games.

MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Taken off injury report Birnbaum (hip) will be available for selection against Toronto FC this weekend, D.C. manager Wayne Rooney told Steven Goff of The Washington Post Thursday.

Impact Birnbaum has been sidelined since April with a hip injury that has forced him to miss D.C.'s last four league games, but he could mark his return to action against Toronto on Saturday. Derrick Williams, Donovan Pines and Victor Palsson have been the starting back-three recently while Birnbaum was out, but Brendan Hines-Ike (foot) will soon be in the mix as well as he's returning from an injury of his own.

MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Could return next weekend Birnbaum (hip) has been ruled out for Saturday's clash against the Galaxy, but D.C. manager Wayne Rooney told The Washington Post's Steven Goff Friday that he might be able to feat...

Impact Birnbaum has missed missed his side's last three league games with a hip injury he suffered in late April, and he'll remain unavailable against Los Angeles on Saturday. But he can target a return to action in next weekend's Toronto match, according to Rooney.

MAY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out once more Birnbaum (hip) is out for Saturday's clash with Nashville, according to the D.C. injury report.

Impact Birnbaum will miss a second straight match due to a hip injury. The top choice center-back would see immediate starting time if available, and has yet to return to training. Birnbaum will hope to return before a Wednesday trip to Philadelphia, with Derrick Williams likely replacing him in the starting XI.

MAY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out against Cincinnati Birnbaum (hip) will not be available to face FC Cincinnati this weekend, according to D.C.'s injury report.

Impact Birnbaum picked up a hip injury last weekend that will sideline him for Saturday's match. Derrick Williams is likely to replace him alongside Donovan Pines and Victor Palsson in the back-three, though Matai Akinmboni could be an option as well.

MAY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Comes off injured against Charlotte Birnbaum was subbed out of Saturday's victory against Charlotte FC in the 50th minute after suffering an apparent injury. He made two clearances in the match before being taken off...

Impact Birnbaum had played every league minute for D.C. United since the start of March before having to come off in the second half of Saturday's game with an apparent injury. Derrick Williams replaced him in the back-three alongside Donovan Pines and Victor Palsson.

APRIL 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE