DC is a Little More United

1:22 PM Unknown 2 Comments

The past week has been a crazy one for my hometown team. The black-and-red are coming off arguably the worst season for any team in MLS history, a season when young players refused to step up to the challenge, and veteran players refused to lead by example. Historically the best team in league history, they had some kinks to work out this offseason. I think they have addressed many of these kinks.

First of all, the blockbuster trade. Eddie Johnson, US international and a lock to make the World Cup squad next summer, was acquired from Seattle on December 17th for nothing more than allocation money. This move, coupled with the permanent signing of Conor Doyle (a promising young striker who was on loan from English side Derby County), instantly turns United's attack into one of the best in the Eastern Conference. But it got even better for DC.

There is no "free agency" in the MLS, per se, but a pseudo-system exists in the form of the MLS Re-Entry Draft. It provides a means for veteran players who are out of contract to move between teams. DC United used this draft to their extreme advantage this week. To shore up the Swiss cheese defense, the team picked up defenders Bobby Boswell and Sean Franklin. Both are solid defenders, and the former was the starting CB for United the last time they won the MLS Cup in 2004. In the second round of the draft, the offense potentially improved even further with the selection of potent attacker Fabian Espindola (also drafted was defender Nana Attakore). Of course, the team does not have any of these four players until contracts are agreed upon, but that should hopefully be a formality.

If Perry Kitchen can be the holding midfielder that many expect him to be, he can be the final bit of glue to piece together a playoff team. With Bill Hamid in goal, DC United is now an experienced, talented team on all four lines, especially so up top once the chemistry between Johnson and his partners begins to really solidify.

And don't forget: the MLS is a league with a lot of parity. Teams often go from playoff teams to bottom-feeders (Exhibit A: DC United). Don't be surprised if the Screaming Eagles jump and chant their way to a serious playoff run.