Free, corner kicks now among Najar’s duties
If the Honduras national team intended to inspire Andy Najar by snubbing him last month, then it was a genius move. That doesn’t seem likely, which simply makes the 18-year-old’s recent form good for D.C. United and not so for everyone else, including the Honduran team playing in the Gold Cup.
Najar got his long-awaited first MLS goal of the season last weekend against San Jose, but his recent shift into a crucial setup role — taking free kicks and corner kicks, not a duty normally assigned to the team’s youngest player — could provide a more significant spark in a part of the offense in which United (4-5-4) has struggled for most of the season.
“Last year I never took one free kick or corner kick,” Najar said. “But this year, the coach has given me the opportunity to be the one who takes them, and I’m happy for that.”
| Up next |
| D.C. United at Real Salt Lake |
| When » Saturday, 9 p.m. |
| Where » Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah |
| TV » CSN |
Named team captain shortly after he arrived in Washington this season, Dax McCarty assumed the responsibility and kept it in part because of the team’s reluctance to start Branko Boskovic early in the year. But with Boskovic out for the year with a knee injury, Marc Burch — who scored on a free kick at Houston — out with a hamstring strain and McCarty sidelined by a groin injury for D.C. United’s recent two-game trip out West, Najar finally got the chance to take over.
Najar had already showed his passing prowess with assists on both of United’s goals in a 2-1 win over Seattle. But after being introduced at last to Najar’s hard, bending, accurate place kicks, D.C. United coach Ben Olsen has little reason to leave free kick-taking decisions in the players’ hands.
“[Najar’s] service has been very good,” Olsen said. “We haven’t gotten enough on the end of it. But as far as the placement and pace, he’s been very good.”
Zayner ready to return
Jed Zayner began the year as the starting right back in D.C. United’s defense, only to depart before the season-opener finished with a left hamstring strain. Six games later, he similarly aborted his attempted return after aggravating the injury.
Doubling the length of his rehabilitation the second time around, Zayner said he’s no longer tentative and is ready to come back for good against Real Salt Lake (6-3-3) this weekend. A defense that just gave up four goals for the fourth time this season can use him.
“Just be another voice out there,” Zayner said of the presence he hopes to provide. “I want to be able to talk my mouth off out there and just be able to help out, keep guys aware.”
Moving to Howard?
The Maryland Stadium Authority has commissioned a $75,000 study on the potential economic benefits of a training complex for the D.C. United senior team and youth academy as part of a $30 million tennis center at Troy Park in Elkridge, Md.
