Ben Olsen isn't likely to complain about it, but - with his complete roster available for the first time this season - United's second year head coach has some difficult decisions to make ahead of Saturday's showdown with Philadelphia.
Driven by an increase in competition, every player in D.C.'s camp has made a serious case for playing time over the last two months. Below we break down the entire roster and give you a chance to name your ideal eleven for the weekend and beyond.
DEFENSE
Daniel Woolard
Selecting Woolard for the starting eleven is probably one ofOlsen’s easiest decisions. The unheraldeddefender has matched up fearlessly against some of the fastest wingers in MLSand – with a goal and two assists – is starting to provide some punch goingforward as well.
Brandon McDonald
With back-to-back rivalry matches looming, it’s hard toimagine a D.C. back four without McDonald’s physical presence. A mainstay in central defense, the26-year-old is the only United field player to play every minute of every gamein which he has appeared.
Chris Korb
After starting in just two of the club’s first ten matches,Korb made a significant case for more playing time over the last month. With Korb in the lineup, D.C. allowedless than a goal a game and won four of five matches to close out May.
Robbie Russell
When Russell went down with a hamstring injury, United losta much-needed veteran presence along the back line. Now healthy, Russell proved he is more than match-fit byplaying all 120 minutes in Open Cup play last week.
Emiliano Dudar
The thought of a fully fit Dudarpatrolling United’s defense has quickly become a tantalizing idea for D.C.fans. The Argentine offers thebest option for distribution out of the back and – with two Open Cup matchesunder his belt – appears ready to break back into league play.
Dejan Jakovic
After not playing for over a month,Jakovic showed no signs of rust when he was inserted into defense duringUnited’s two latest league contests. Without the Canadian’s contributions – including a first MLS goalagainst New England – D.C. likely would not have come away with all nine pointsfrom its recent homestand. Jakovicdidn’t see any game action during his recent call-up for Canada’s World Cupqualification effort.
MIDFIELD
Branko Boskovic
The Montenegrin has come to life oflate, tallying two assists and five shots over his last three leagueoutings. His exceptional serviceon set pieces gives Boskovic an undeniable advantage in the quest for playingtime, and his inclusion allows Dwayne De Rosario to assume less defensiveresponsibility in the middle of the field.
Perry Kitchen
Kitchen has played through a sprainedknee, sinus infection and within hours of a crushing Olympic qualifying defeat.Is there anything that could keep him out of Olsen’s lineup?
Marcelo Saragosa
The Brazilian has proven that, whengiven a chance, he can make an impact. Saragosa’s extra-time game winner pushed United past Richmond in OpenCup play late last month.
Stephen King
King has started only once this year,but his work as a substitute is invaluable. The midfielder has helped close out five of United’s eightvictories as a second-half sub. This goal in last week’s reserve match certainly won’t hurt his chancesof landing more minutes.
Andy Najar
Thanks to increased competition andOlympic qualifying, the Honduran totaled just 97 minutes of league action inApril. But May brought with it aresurgent Najar, who laid claim to a starting role with a pair of assists anddangerous attacking play. If pastmatchups factor into Olsen’s decision-making, the 19-year-old winger has playedsome of his best soccer against the Union.
Nick DeLeon
The rookie played eighty minutes andhad some success - collecting an assist on Josh Wolff’s header - againstPhiladelphia nine days ago. DeLeonis healed from the hamstring injury that kept him out for much of May, and canmake a difference whether starting or coming on late.
Lewis Neal
D.C.’s only left-footed wing option,Neal fills a very specific role for United. The Englishman has earned the trust of Olsenand his staff as a late game sub and has seen minutes in six of D.C.’s lastnine contests.
Danny Cruz
While he practiced for much of thelast two weeks, Cruz hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring on May 19. Expecting a 90-minute performance thisweekend may be a bit much, but the 22-year-old has displayed some miraculousrecovery abilities already this season. Cruz’s willingness to battle in midfield would certainly be a welcomeaddition against either of D.C.’s upcoming I-95 rivals.
FORWARDS
Chris Pontius
After being moved up top inmid-April, Pontius exploded for five goals in six matches before a musclestrain forced him to miss time. The Californian is an option at either midfield or forward, and awell-taken goal in last Saturday’s reserve match against Toronto FC should boost hisconfidence heading into the weekend. Of Olsen’s forward choices, Pontius provides the most speed.
Josh Wolff
The savvy striker showed his touch infront of net while scoring United’s lone goal in the Open Cup defeat toPhiladelphia. He has also beendeployed in central midfield and even on the wingwhen Olsen seeks possession and numbers behind his front line.
Maicon Santos
The Brazilian is yet another playerwho upped his stock during Saturday’s reserve match thanks to a nice breakaway finish. Santos is by farUnited’s best forward with his back to goal, a skill that not only aids instarting the attack but also helps alleviate pressure for D.C.’s defense.
Hamdi Salihi
Salihi has proven he doesn’t need many minutes to get goals, and appears to be equally effective whetherstarting or coming off the bench. The Albanian is averaging a goal every 85 minutes over his last sixleague appearances, and scored just 18 minutes after entering D.C.’s mostrecent reserve match.
Dwayne De Rosario
Should DeRo rest after a return fromnational team duty? Maybe. Willhe? Doubtful. United’s leader isloathe to take a day off and Branko Boskovic’s emergence in the center ofmidfield allows Olsen the luxury of pushing his captain into a free – andhopefully less taxing - role up top.
PICK YOUR STARTING XI
After practice on Thursday, Olsen was asked about the challenge of picking a starting eleven with so many potential choices.
"We are very healthy right now so I have a lot of options," he responded. "But the important thing is that the options I choose do the job on the field. It doesn’t matter how many options you have, it's about the guys on the field doing the job."
If you were Ben Olsen, who would you start on Saturday versus the Philadelphia Union? Create and share your lineup
