United’s Boskovic makes case to stay longer

With six weeks to go before his D.C. United contract expires, Branko Boskovic submitted a compelling argument that the club should strongly consider extending his stay.

Boskovic orchestrated the offense with his calm presence and skilled passing while delivering exquisite free kicks and corner kicks in Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Colorado at RFK Stadium. After his certain goal was denied by Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens’ reaction save, the seldom-used Boskovic joked maybe that’s what he needs to convince D.C. United (6-4-3) of his value.

“I was hungry,” Boskovic said. “It doesn’t matter how much you practice, you need game. Game is something else. I need maybe one more game like this to feel more better in second half because I little bit go down physically in second half. But I’m happy how I play.”

The combination of Boskovic, Dwayne De Rosario and Hamdi Salihi — United’s three highest-paid players — was envisioned as the core of the D.C. attack heading into the season. But Boskovic hasn’t been given opportunities, limited to three starts, and Salihi’s start against the Rapids was his first in seven matches. The Colorado match was the second time all three were on the field together, but it didn’t look that way.

“I think we start play good, to recognize what we want between each other,” Boskovic said.

United coach Ben Olsen didn’t seem quite convinced. Asked about his three designated players, he appeared to give a nod to forwards Maicon Santos and Chris Pontius, who have played far more minutes.

“It’s never easy to go away from your ‘starting 11’ as a coach,” Olsen said. “But we built depth, and we talk about it, and we have to trust in it.”

That could mean Boskovic’s plea for more matches may be in vain. It would also mean Olsen will have to put trust in someone else over the latter half of the season when De Rosario isn’t available, as he may be in late June after a busy stint with the Canadian national team. Stephen King and Josh Wolff have not proved adequate in D.C.’s central attacking midfield role. United could also try to bring in another designated player or multiple lower-priced players, but Boskovic provides the most continuity.

“He’s very good on the ball, and that’s someone we need in that position,” De Rosario said.

United general manager Dave Kasper said initial talks have taken place between the team and Boskovic’s agent.

“I know Branko from long time, and I know what he can do,” said Salihi, who was Boskovic’s teammate at Rapid Vienna, both players’ previous club. “You just give him little bit confidence, and he will give you a lot of good games. I know he is a big player and a player every team need. He’s a player for locker room, for outside, for training, match, for everything. Branko have great character, and I hope he stay here with us because I know every day he can give more for this team.”

[email protected]