D.C. flirts with postseason after last-place finish in 2010 For the first time in three years, D.C. United won’t begin the offseason with a coaching search, relieving general manager Dave Kasper of at least one headache.
Pain and disappointment from the other migraine, United’s season-long and ultimately unsuccessful flirtation with the playoffs, should also wear off once Kasper and the rest of the team’s front office has a chance to reflect on the United’s dramatic improvement in 2011 under Ben Olsen after a last-place finish the year before.
“We’ve made big steps in terms of reestablishing our culture in the locker room,” Kasper said prior to United’s final game of the regular season. “Benny did a terrific job. He got every ounce of performance and effort out of the team, and we have great starting points for next year.”
| Coach |
| Analysis » In his first full year at the helm, Ben Olsen solidified the locker room and a playing style, even if he never quite had a week where every player he needed was healthy and available. |
| Needs » By the time Olsen figured out how to use Branko Boskovic, the most expensive player on the team was lost for the season with a knee injury. Next year he’ll need to figure out how to get Boskovic and Dwayne De Rosario both on the field together. |
| Goalkeepers |
| Analysis » After assistant coach Pat Onstad’s brief unretirement, a slimmed down Bill Hamid took over as the unquestioned starter. Some of his game-changing mistakes could be to blame on still being 20 years old, but spectacular saves were also the norm. |
| Needs » The surprising emergence of rookie Joe Willis as a backup put pressure on Steve Cronin, who thought he’d compete with Hamid for the starting job. He’s third on the depth chart now, and may not be back next season. |
| Defenders |
| Analysis » It was a disaster of a season for injured Dejan Jakovic (15 starts) and Jed Zayner (four starts), two of four presumed starters in defense. The arrival of Brandon McDonald from San Jose in June helped, but rookie Ethan White was forced into far more action than he was ready for and expected. |
| Needs » With Marc Burch’s form backsliding and Daniel Woolard limited, D.C. needs a left back. In a contract year, Jakovic must stay healthy if he wants D.C. United to commit to him long term. |
| Midfielders |
| Analysis » |
| Andy Najar continued his growth into one of MLS’ most dangerous wingers and a nice compliment to Chris Pontius on the opposite side. Clyde Simms was his usual veteran self in the middle but was overtaken late by rookie Perry Kitchen. |
| Needs » With Boskovic healthy, Pontius could play withdrawn forward, which would allow Dwayne De Rosario to set up shop as United’s No. 10. Najar is drawing interest from overseas, and D.C. still needs more from Santino Quaranta. |
| Forwards |
| Analysis » |
| Charlie Davies started in fairy-tale fashion, but his stats were inflated by penalty kicks, and he faded as the season wore on. Josh Wolff was a hard-working veteran, rookie Blake Brettschneider showed promise and Joseph Ngwenya was both overpaid ($156,000) and a bust. |
| Needs » There’s no certainty that Davies returns, and Ngwenya shouldn’t be allowed to return, which could mean at least two spots to fill. As said above, Pontius could be a second forward, where he played part of his rookie year. |
Olsen, Kasper and D.C. United president and CEO Kevin Payne also have plenty of work ahead to move forward a team that still underperformed at times in 2011, requires additional pieces and new contracts for 2012 and remains hampered by an unresolved stadium situation — the team hopes to renegotiate its lease at RFK — and a lingering threat to leave the District.
Dwayne De Rosario, an MLS most valuable player candidate who arrived via this season, has a club option for next year, but United intends to negotiate a longer extension. The 33-year-old Canadian playmaker made just short of $500,000 this season and will command a salary that puts him well into designated player territory.
“It’s huge,” De Rosario said of potential long-term security. “That’s what I always wanted. Especially as a family guy, I have to do what’s right not only for me, but for my family as well. When you talk about contract negotiations, all of these things you have to bear in mind.”
The return of forward Charlie Davies, via a $1.3 million buyout (or less) from Sochaux, or another loan, is far less clear.
“We need to sit down internally and with Charlie and discuss his future,” Kasper said.
United also faces multiple international challenges next season, including Branko Boskovic’s potential participation in Euro 2012 with Montenegro (and a contract that expires in June). Goalkeeper Bill Hamid headlines a list of players that could be pulled away by Olympic obligations and along with Andy Najar, could see overseas transfer interest grow, too.
“For us to come together like this,” Hamid said, “and almost make [the playoffs], comparing ourselves to where we were in the previous year, we’ve got to take those positives and work with that and next year make ourselves a title-competing team.”
Olsen’s primary challenge will be solidifying a young group that was often a victim of its own mistakes, especially late in games. Having a healthier roster at his disposal will help.
“I’m very encouraged with a large number of the guys we have, having them come back as well as getting [Chris] Pontius back, and [Dejan] Jakovic back, and Boskovic back, Jed Zayner back,” Olsen said. “All these are added to a core group. Some of these young guys have done very well and have now been through an up and down season and I hope have learned a lot. I know I have.”
