2010 rookie of the year playing new position D.C. United hasn’t discovered the next Dani Alves. Andy Najar, who won MLS rookie of the year in 2010 as an outside midfielder, played a strong 90 minutes in United’s 2-0 win last weekend at outside fullback, the position played by Alves for both Barcelona and the Brazilian national team. But it remains unclear if the back line is best for Najar’s development or for D.C. United.
Najar does add a unique potency to United’s attack from that position, but he was happy just to be in the starting lineup for the second time in the last nine matches.
“It was a bit of sense of relief because I hadn’t been getting on the field as a starter lately,” Najar said through an interpreter. “I’m thankful that I got that opportunity and hopefully it will continue.”
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| D.C. United at Dynamo |
| When » Saturday, 4:30 p.m. |
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Najar started his D.C. United academy career at right back, but his flair on the wing was the first team’s best story during its historically awful 2010 season. Last year, Najar played the second-most minutes on the team, scoring five goals and adding six assists.
But in March, D.C. coach Ben Olsen turned to the reliable yet less skilled Danny Cruz when the 19-year-old joined the Under-23 Honduran national team for Olympic qualifying. Najar was out of rhythm in his first start back against Montreal on April 18, and he has struggled at times with mixed coaching signals. Skilled at attacking with the ball at his feet, Najar’s primary task on the wing is instead to deliver crosses and indecision has often been the result.
In last week’s 5-3 defeat at San Jose, Olsen called on Najar in hopes of sparking a comeback after United (5-3-3) gave up three goals in the first half. Najar picked up his first assist of the year with an end line cross to fellow outside back Daniel Woolard for a diving header to cut the Earthquakes’ lead to 3-2.
Three days later, Najar was part of a defense that picked up its first shutout in six games, albeit against a team with just six goals in eight matches.
“He still has a lot to learn at that position,” Olsen said. “You see some things out there that maybe against a better team could cost us, just as far as his positioning and not knowing the position. Saying that, he did a lot of great things, too. On the offensive side, his instincts are good on when to go, and his passing out of the back was good. He also made a play or two that kept us in the game.”
With the Summer Olympics ahead, playing time for Najar is essential. He isn’t expected to be an outside back for Honduras, which he’s also hoping will call him for World Cup qualifying next month. But if that’s what United requires, there’s no choice.
“If I’m given that responsibility,” Najar said, “I need to come out hard as I did the past two matches and demonstrate that I have the ability to play in any position.”
