When Facundo Erpen arrived in Washington in the summer of 2005, it was expected that the Argentinian would challenge Bobby Boswell, then a rookie in the midst of his first professional season, for the responsibility of anchoring the center of the D.C. United defense.
Rather than supplant Boswell, Erpen found a place right alongside him. In the nearly two seasons since, whether it’s been as part of a three-man backline or United’s recent return to a four-man set, the two 24-year-old defenders have forged a bond both on and off the field.
“Inside the field, outside the field, we talk about everything, his family or my family,” Erpen said. “Inside the field, he’s like my brother.”
Boswell and Erpen often participate in partner drills at practice together and run side-by-side when the team works on fitness. They both have practical joker sides to their personalities, but they’re also the first to offer one another a pat on the back or pick the other up off the ground during a game.
“We enjoy being next to each other. It’s an unspoken bond, we have each other’s back,” Boswell said. “When everyone’s yelling at everyone, very rarely do we — this weekend we got into each other a little bit, but then we were right back to it, just hangin’ out, trying to win.”
Erpen has received a fair share of criticism, and he was benched against Columbus in late April. But he’s played better since United (3-3-1) adopted a 4-4-2 formation, which returned him to his natural position, center back.
“I think the people that criticize [Erpen] don’t like how comfortable he is,” Boswell said. “But he doesn’t panic, he’s always calm, he’s a great tackler, he’s good with the ball, he hits a great long ball, and he sees the field well.”
Boswell, who was last season’s MLS Defender of the Year, also made strides as D.C. has shored up its defensive play.
“Bobby’s been playing very well the last couple of games and Facundo has been slowly getting back to his form. Today was as good as I’ve seen him play in a long time,” said midfielder Ben Olsen after United’s 2-1 win over Houston last weekend. “That’s positive. I know the coaches are challenging him to be better, and he did a good job to make sure the passes were clean, he was physical, and did a good job.”
Next up
United at Los Angeles Galaxy
When » 10:30 p.m., Saturday
TV » FSC/FSE
Radio » 1160 AM (English); 1350 AM, 1390 AM, 1540 AM and 1600 AM (Spanish)
