Today is a great day. It's the first day of World Cup 2014 and D.C. United is sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference heading into a two-week break from MLS play. How has United gotten there? Let's take a look back at United's off-season, preseason and first half of the 2014 season.
"It was important for us in the off-season to bring in good veteran players, and we have accomplished that," said Dave Kasper on January 15, 2014, the day before the SuperDraft. "It is important for these older players to establish the culture in the locker room and to help mentor younger players. The veteran players are the ones who will be setting the tone in our locker room on a daily basis."
From captain Bobby Boswell, to the veteran leadership of Davy Arnaud, to the unmatched production of Fabian Espdinola, the older players have definitely set a tone - a tone that has led the Black-and-Red to the top of the table.
While in Charleston, S.C. for preseason, Head Coach Ben Olsen previewed the 2014 season, explaining what he thought would be the keys to United's success.
"I think we have a lot of versatility in the midfield," said Olsen. "I think we have experience in our backline. I think our goalkeeping situation is very strong, and I think we have guys in the attack now that can change the game."
Versatility in the midfield - check. So far, through 15 games, United has shown seven different starting midfield combinations.
- Kitchen, Arnaud, DeLeon, Silva (x2)
- Neal, Kitchen, Silva, DeLeon
- Neal, Kitchen, Arnaud, DeLeon (x2)
- Kitchen, DeLeon, Rolfe, Arnaud (x6)
- Rofle, Arnaud, Kitchen, Neal
- Arnaud, Rolfe, DeLeon, Silva
- Kitchen, Caskey, DeLeon, Arnaud
Next, experience in the backline. Check. Boswell and Jeff Parke both rank in the top five for games started as a center back since 2005, with 269 and 220 games, respectively. With Parke on the field alongside Boswell, the Black-and-Red have allowed 1.08 goals per game. In the last two games, rookie Steven Birnbaum has been fantastic, stepping in for an injured Parke, helping to earn a tie and a win, extending United’s unbeaten run to three heading into the World Cup break.
A "strong goalkeeping situation?" Check. Homegrown 'keeper Bill Hamid and veteran Andrew Dykstra have collectively secured six shutouts on the year, the second best in MLS.
Lastly, players who "can change a game?" A resounding check. Fabian Espdinola has seven goals and eight assists on the year, and has contributed to 15 of United 22 goals - more than any other player in the League. He brings more than just stats; his work rate and confidence motivate the rest of the team. Chris Rolfe, having only joined the team in April, has tallied three times and assisted on as many, bringing a high soccer IQ to D.C.. Eddie Johnson has also made an impact for the Black-and-Red. The veteran foward is a handful for defenders; he makes quick and dynamic runs, is dangerous in the box and secured a late equalizer against Montreal, keeping the Impact's winless streak at RFK alive, and earning United a point.
Last night, Luis Silva scored as many goals in one half as our leading scorer in 2013;another example of United's depth and progress in 2014.
While first in the East is a point of pride, there are still 19 League matches left to play, as well as U.S. Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League games. There's a long road ahead before playoffs are in sight.
"Our goal is simple this year," Olsen stated back in March. "It is to be in the post-season. We obviously want to do well in the Open Cup and compete in [CONCACAF] Champions League, but we, as a group, need to be extremely focused on how we get into the playoffs."
After beating Montreal 4-2 on Wednesday, he said, "It’s nice to look at that, and I’m sure for the guys, they’ll be extremely pleased to see their work being rewarded. But we’ve all been around this league for a while – these players and our staff. We understand that it’s a long season, and we have to keep continuing to do the things that we’ve done well, and more importantly, we’ve got to get better."
