On the eve of what will be the first D.C. United season opener for both Hamdi Salihi and Branko Boskovic, the two former Rapid Vienna teammates said the last few weeks of training together has been a fantastic experience.
“It’s good, it’s nice,” said Boskovic, who was an unused substitute when D.C. opened 2011 against the Columbus Crew. “Like I say when he come, I’m most excited because he’s here. I think he’s going to prove his quality tomorrow, I hope, and we start new season with new team and better group.”
There’s no doubt that Boskovic will play a major role when United takes the field against Sporting Kansas City, and the lessons he’s learned in Washington over the course of the last 18 months will help speed Salihi’s assimilation timeline.
Meanwhile, Salihi offers a reminder of what D.C. United fans haven’t quite seen in Boskovic.
“I’ve really enjoyed every training with him, and now we have match to play together,” Salihi. “I really love this player, and for me in Austria, he was the best player, what we have, and now tomorrow I hope we make again good things like for two years.”
Asked about the chemistry within his front six, United coach Ben Olsen said he was more at ease with the midfield core of Boskovic, Perry Kitchen, Chris Pontius and Andy Najar, all of whom played together at some point last season. The bigger challenge, Olsen said, will be developing the right rhythm and connection between Salihi and Dwayne De Rosario. Notice also the contrast in Olsen’s description of Salihi from what was said repeatedly about Boskovic in the past.
“He came in fitter than we thought,” Olsen said. “He’s another guy that’s a real pro and takes care of himself. I think knows how to treat his body so he’s ready for game day. He’s been great. A vocal guy, has a real soccer brain, and I’ve really enjoyed our discussions about what he thinks, coming from the outside, about our team. He’s been a nice addition so far.”
With last week’s preseason finale in Charleston cancelled due to the weather, the best chance that Boskovic, Salihi and a fully-assembled D.C. United starting 11 had together was in Monday’s scrimmage. Boskovic said it showed that there’s a solid squad of 18-20 players who are immediately ready to contribute.
Asked if he got enough out of the scrimmage, Olsen said, “I think so. You never know. We’re not battle-tested right now. Nobody is. That’s what we’re going to find out tomorrow and in the coming weeks. Nobody’s going to be at their best tomorrow, but we feel very excited to get out there and show what we have.”
For his part, Salihi is looking forward to the reception he gets at RFK Stadium.
“To show and to give back all this respect and all this everything, what these people here do for me, I have to do now,” he said. “This is my time to give back all what they do for me.”
*United defender Ethan White is considering minor surgery on a meniscus tear in his right knee but said no decision has been made yet. Perhaps in the next couple days, but those around him seem to think it’ll happen. A frustrated White, who has never had knee surgery before, said the injury could heal eventually without it.
“I’m not a doctor,” Olsen said, “so I’ll wait until the doctors tell me what the best solution is.”
