D.C. United is the first team in Major League Soccer’s 12-year history to have five different players score at least seven goals. But those five players carry a larger share of the offense than any group on any team in the league, and United has struggled when they’ve been out of the lineup.
Even though United has scored a league-high 54 goals, it has the fewest number of players on its current roster to have scored this season in league play (nine), and it also is tied for the fewest number of players with more than one goal (five). Every other team has had at least 10 players find the back of the net.
Despite whatever changes might be in store this weekend for United’s regular-season finale, and barring injury, expect Luciano Emilio (20 goals), Jaime Moreno (seven goals), Christian Gomez (eight goals), Fred (seven goals) and Ben Olsen (seven goals) in the first eleven when the playoffs begin.
“It kind of proves the fact that we have a pretty balanced attack,” said United head coach Tom Soehn. “I think it’s important because if you rely on one or two guys too much, you’re easier to defend. Having the ability to score from different spots is always a good asset to have. I think it’s why we’ve been successful this season.”
It’s a precarious position, though, as the rest of D.C.’s roster has accounted for just four league goals, including a combined two from the three key reserve attacking players — Nicholas Addlery (one goal), Guy-Roland Kpene (zero goals) and Rod Dyachenko (one goal) — each of whom has made at least 11 appearances.
“They’re young, and it’s going to take time,” said Soehn. “We’re getting it from different areas, and that’s important.”
Moreno, Fred and Olsen have all missed recent starts due to injury, and the team has struggled without them on the field. Emilio may be the first player to reach the 20-goal mark since 2002, but he has just two game-winning strikes during United’s current 13-game unbeaten run.
“If we don’t have [Moreno and Emilio], in the past we haven’t been as sharp,” said Olsen. “But I think we’re going to get Jaime back for the playoffs. I don’t think there’s going to be any surprise, that’s going to be our starting lineup for our forwards in the playoffs. If that doesn’t happen, we’ve got other guys who can produce.”
