Club’s 0-5 league start worst in team history
All four D.C. United coaches have played for the franchise, and each of them — head coach Curt Onalfo and his assistants, Kris Kelderman, Mark Simpson and Ben Olsen — have won at least one trophy, either an MLS Cup or an international tournament. The general manager, Dave Kasper, has been in Washington since 2002, and the team president, Kevin Payne, who founded the team after the 1994 World Cup in the U.S., hired all of them.
It explains why the D.C. coaching staff and front office are sticking together after a 2-0 loss to New York last weekend that clinched United’s worst-ever start to a season (0-5) and the third-worst start to a campaign in MLS history.
“We’re a team, and that’s one thing,” said Kelderman on Monday. “We’ve all had relationships in the past with the president and the general manager and the coaching staff and teammates, ex-teammates, this and that. We’re all on the same page. We’re a team, and we’re working together and we’re going to solve this.”
Each part of the group, however, has also helped create the club’s current maelstrom, be it through perplexing tactical decisions on the field or questionable player acquisitions off of it. Despite owning four MLS Cup titles, United’s last two seasons have been far better known for inconsistency, injuries, poor performances and missing the playoffs.
“Actually, this time around, there’s been more patience [from the front office],” said United midfielder Clyde Simms. “I think they understand it’s a new coach, a lot of new players. I feel like in years past there’s been some impatience after the second or third game [of a losing streak].”
With the 2010 summer transfer window still more than two months away, United remains determined, for now, to turn itself around with its current personnel.
Following practice Monday, Onalfo gathered his players and sat them down in the middle of the training field for an old-fashioned pep talk.
“The biggest thing was not giving up,” said Simms of Onalfo’s message. “… The other thing was staying positive because we are close. It may not seem like it, but I feel like we are in these games.”
