Rod Dyachenko has always done what he’s been asked, even if he hasn’t been successful. After last weekend, it appears what he was being asked might’ve been the problem.
For more than two seasons, Dyachenko has been D.C. United’s fill-in attacking midfielder or forward, tasked with shouldering a heavy offensive load, often unsuccessfully, when the team’s big guns are unavailable. His steady production in that role for United’s reserve squad hasn’t translated to the first team.
But against Real Salt Lake, Dyachenko was inserted into the central midfield and given the opportunity to display his two-way game. He made an immediate impact, using his 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame to win balls aerially and in tight spaces and his nimble feet to create attacking chances, including a secondary assist on United’s third goal.
“It was a good chance for me to show different parts of my game,” said Dyachenko. “I think I’m capable of being a little more defensive also. I think it’s a good mix between me, Clyde [Simms] and [Marcelo] Gallardo up there.”
“I always tell people that’s one player I hate playing against the most in practice becausehe’s so big and strong, and he’s good defensively,” said Simms. “He still needs to get a couple things down, but the more we talk then the easier it will be.”
Dyachenko enjoys playing more defensive soccer — working in tandem with Simms behind Gallardo — but his presence gives an added offensive dimension to United’s three-man central midfield triangle.
“Sometimes I feel like we can incorporate both attacking mids with me and Gallardo with Clyde sitting behind us,” said Dyachenko.
United head coach Tom Soehn is still looking for the 24-year-old to be more consistent, but his fitness and versatility make him extremely useful.
“It’s hard to keep him out at some points because he’s impacted the game most every time he’s come on and changed it,” said Soehn. “As he continues to do that, I think you find different qualities in him.”
