mls » D.c. United Training camp
With the 2012 MLS season starting earlier than ever, D.C. United will open training camp Wednesday. Here are five key storylines to watch:
1
Player signings » D.C. United shed a host of veterans in the offseason, including Clyde Simms and Santino Quaranta, but it’s yet to fill the holes left behind. Coach Ben Olsen and the front office have been on scouting trips abroad, but a limited budget means no splashy signings are expected, and the team has yet to make a single non-draft acquisition since obtaining Robbie Russell from Real Salt Lake in November.
2Rounding the big stars into shape » United committed to signing 33-year-old Dwayne De Rosario to a contract extension after his 16-goal, 12-assist season earned him the MLS MVP award. De Rosario said last weekend he was hopeful for a quick resolution but that the process has been frustrating. D.C.’s highest-paid player, Branko Boskovic, remained in Washington to train during the offseason instead of returning to Europe.
3Olympic influence » Camp will open without starting goalkeeper Bill Hamid, who is currently with the full U.S. national team and is expected to play a key role in qualifying for the Summer Olympics, which takes place in March. Defensive midfielder Perry Kitchen could also participate, putting a strain on United’s defense and ensure plenty of work for backup goalkeeper Joe Willis.
4Injury watch » Chris Pontius is in a race against the clock to be ready for the regular season opener after suffering a non-displaced leg fracture last fall. Kitchen’s offseason has been limited by injury, and defender Ethan White is coming off hernia surgery.
5Integration of the youngsters? » First-round draft pick Nick DeLeon is expected to provide immediate help on the flank, but expectations aren’t quite the same for midfiedler Lance Rozeboom (New Mexico), defender Charles Rodriguez (Charlotte) and midfielder/forward Matthew Kuhn (Drake), who were selected in Tuesday’s MLS Supplemental Draft.
– Craig Stouffer
