Maybe the best D.C. United news, from a reporter’s point of view, was that there are signs that the team could be returning to open practices with field-side media availability this year, which would be a nice departure from the fortress mentality of the past few seasons. Now, that can be a blessing and a curse. Standing still watching 90 minutes of practice in 30-degree weather, even when it’s sunny, can be painful on the extremities, especially the toes.
That said, new United boss Curt Onalfo said the play on the reduced-size artificial surface earlier today – thanks to Ben Olsen et al for shoveling it yesterday – did improve as the session went on. It was also interesting to see more players of African descent – namely three from South Africa (TwoBoys Gumede, Boyzzz Khumalo and Tiyi Shipalane) – than Latinos. Times are a-changin’ at D.C. United, although with the return of Troy Perkins, they also felt familiar.
“Last week was a little surreal,” said Perkins, “walking into a locker room where I didn’t know too many guys, and being on this side of the room and not over there back in the corner. But it feels right. It feels good, and I’m happy to be here… I don’t think it’s going to take that much time [to develop chemistry]. It’s not like we’re dealing with four guys who speak a different language. They’ve all been here, except for one or two of them. We have two months to work on it and form that bond. As long as we have a system, everyone knows the system, and it shouldn’t be a problem.”
How has Perkins changed since he bolted two years ago for Norway? “I feel a lot more mature, certainly on the field and off the field. I feel a lot more calm, a little more relaxed. Hopefully, I’m able to do the job they expect of me.”
D.C. hasn’t changed that much without Perkins: “I caught myself the other day going, where am I? Oh I know where I am. A left and right, and there I was.”
In any case, there is a changing of the guard going on, with Olsen now a coach and Christian Gomez on the outs. Jaime Moreno will always be the leader, but given questions around his durability, he’s as much talisman as he is goal-scorer, and new leaders are emerging, such as Clyde Simms, Bryan Namoff (when he’s healthy), Devon McTavish and Santino Quaranta.
“Fortunately, we still have Benny in the organization, and he’ll be with the team day in and day out,” said Simms. “But I think the biggest thing is that leadership on the field, and I think it’ll be good. I think bringing Troy back will definitely help with that position and the back line. Hopefully, I can get more vocal myself and get guys in the midfield and up front to do so. It’s going to take a couple guys to fill those shoes, and I think the best teams have those guys in various positions. It’s going take a few of us.”
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