WASHINGTON – This Saturday’s starting XI for D.C. United is certain to feature a number of new faces debuting in front of the RFK Stadium faithful.
An offseason full of roster changes saw a whole new group of players brought in, and several of them could be in line to start against the Columbus Crew as United kick off the 2011 MLS season this weekend.
One of those likely debutants is Pat Onstad, who will start in goal for DC after signing an agreement to serve as player-coach last week. The 43-year-old is looking forward to playing for the home crowd after several years of being on the opposing side.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing here, not necessarily on the losing end of things but I think the atmosphere and the environment is a fantastic place to play in,” he told MLSsoccer.com. “It’ll be nice to have them cheering for me instead of abusing me for a change.”
Accurately predicting the starting lineup is difficult to project. Coach Ben Olsen and his coaching staff have been preaching and fostering a competitive environment, giving everyone a chance to earn a spot in the starting XI. By doing so, he has ensured players aren’t complacent and has gotten the best out of the group.
Fighting for a starting spot at left back is Daniel Woolard, who joined DC after a stint with the Carolina RailHawks. He knows he has his work cut out for him to start, but also is ready to stake his claim.
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“With this team, how deep it is, you got to win a spot every day,” he said. “There’s no telling what the lineup’s going to be. … Any chance to help the team, I’ll be ready. It’s going to be exciting to play here for this team, for this crowd.”
Rookie Perry Kitchen, taken with the third overall pick in the 2010 SuperDraft out of Akron, is in the mix to start next to Woolard in central defense.
The 19-year-old, who has represented the US at both the U-17 and U-20 international levels, didn’t make a big fuss about it possibly making his professional debut – he’s just excited by the prospect of getting on the field.
“It’d be a big step, but just another game, different opponent,” said Kitchen. “I’m excited if I get in there; if not, I’m ready for the next call up.”
Up front, three new forwards are in the running to get playing time, as Josh Wolff, Joseph Ngwenya and Charlie Davies have all gotten long looks during the preseason. Davies was slowed by a groin strain during a training session on Tuesday, and could start the game from the bench.
WATCH: DC players talk about changes to attack
Another new acquisition, Dax McCarty, figures to get plenty of time all year after being acquired in a trade with expansion team Portland Timbers, who plucked him from FC Dallas in November’s Expansion Draft.
McCarty can cover a ton of ground in the center of the park and has also shown a knack to get forward and score timely goals from the midfield.
Like Onstad, McCarty is excited at the prospect at playing in front of United’s faithful.
“They’ve been around since the beginning. Certainly, their supporters section is very intimidating in terms of an opposing player, so hopefully on the other side of it will be very motivational in terms of them being behind us,” he said.
