With all the comings and goings in MLS so far this offseason, D.C. United has flown under the radar mainly due to the club’s lack of moves.
All we’ve heard out of the Black and Red since their exit from the Eastern Conference playoffs is the permanent move for Luciano Acosta and loan deal for Jose Guillermo Ortiz. The most buzz around D.C. in the offseason has come around the potential homegrown deal for Wake Forest’s Ian Harkes, but right now things aren’t looking great on that front.
United certainly need to add a few more pieces to contend for a postseason position in 2017, but they aren’t in need of a total overhaul like other teams across the league.
Here’s a look at what Ben Olsen’s side has done so far in its preparation for the 2017 campaign, and what still needs to get done.
Who’s In
Luciano Acosta, Jose Guillermo Ortiz, Chris Durkin
Who’s Out
Kennedy Igboananike, Miguel Aguilar, Chris Korb, Andrew Dykstra, Alvaro Saborio
Draft Picks
Round 1: 12th overall
Round 2: 34th overall
Round 2: 43rd overall
Round 4: 74th overall
Remaining Needs
Known to most as the least sexy team to watch for years in MLS, the Black and Red bolstered their creativity last season with the addition of Acosta, who is back on a permanent basis this season.
The same core of experienced veterans are in place for another go-around, but it wouldn’t hurt Olsen to go out an upgrade a position or two in midfield with four midfielders on the roster over the age of 30.
United can add some depth to the back line in the draft with their top selections. Even though the club declined the option on backup goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra, it still has Charlie Horton and Travis Worra in line to replace Bill Hamid if he gets injured again.
With all that being said, United don’t need to add too many pieces to be a contender in 2017, but expecting much more than a playoff berth will be difficult for a team that isn’t likely to spend real money on big-ticket players until it opens its new stadium.
Outlook
D.C. will once again rely on veterans performing as a collective to get results. Olsen has players like Steve Birnbaum, Bobby Boswell, Marcelo Sarvas and Nick DeLeon in place to grind out close games and pick up some necessary points on the road against lesser opponents.
Acosta and Patrick Mullins will be relied on to create the majority of the chances, and United should thrive on set pieces with Birnbaum and Boswell rising above the pack in the box. Mullins came into his own at the back end of the 2016 season, and the pressure will be on him to fulfill his potential as the leading scorer on a contending team.
D.C. isn’t going to win the Supporters’ Shield, and if we’re being honest United most likely won’t reach the summit of the Eastern Conference, but Olsen always finds a way to get his team motivated to make the playoffs. That should be an easy task if the Black and Red pick up another playmaker and someone that can develop in the spine of the team beneath Sarvas and the center back pairing.
you forgot to add Luke Mishu to the out category..