One of the objectives for D.C. United, even during their recent improved play, is to become more difficult to play against. For most of the season, teams in MLS know what to expect from D.C., and opponents have seen success keeping United’s attack at bay. United has been getting much better in this respect over the past weeks - look back at the great chances created in the first half against Columbus. Now, with the two recent additions of Pablo Hernández and Branko Boskovic, the team might finally be more difficult than ever to play against.

D.C. United has talented players and they also have some players who can score goals, but they haven’t really had a player who could consistently create scoring chances on his own. At this point, they might have found two such players. If nothing else, Hernandez and Brankovic are unknown commodities in the League. Opposing defenders do not know their tendencies or their styles and, for that fact alone, D.C.’s newest players have an advantage. When you look at United’s lineups in recent weeks, there is a lot of ability in the attacking third, but there has been something missing. Now, the missing element has arrived, and the new creativity and imagination will make life much easier on Chris Pontius, Andy Najar, Santino Quaranta, and company.

Creativity and imagination are essential in having a good offense and, if these two elements aren’t present, the next best thing is the element of surprise. At this point, the element of surprise is a given. As long as the newcomers provide a little flair and a little imagination, D.C. United will be more dangerous than at any point this season.

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