WASHINGTON – Even though the season is only a few weeks old, a variety of factors have already hampered Ben Olsen’s selection across D.C. United’s back line.
Injuries, international callups and suspensions have forced the need to juggle his starting defenders. Olsen has used four different combinations in all four of his matches.
In those four matches, left back Marc Burch is the only defender to start and play every minute. And considering that he missed all but four games last year, it’s been a welcome change for the 26-year-old in the early stages of the season.
“I’m definitely having a better year than last year – I didn’t play – but I think that this would be a year where I’ll prove I’m a defender and can really help out this team by being back there and defending,” Burch said.
Over the past two years, nagging foot injuries have limited his time. Last year he had a dead bone in his foot removed, and now he appears to be on the right track.
Finally healthy heading into the season, Burch saw plenty of time at left back in the preseason, and when the season began he earned the start in the home opener against Columbus. Now he's hoping to hold down the starting job.
“My defense is getting better,” he said. “I need to start adding some more to the offense, but I’m doing what I can on my side.”
DC’s defense has yet to post a shutout in four games – a late penalty kick conceded against Columbus denied the team in the first game – but having to rotate players in every match has been a factor. Burch thinks that once the back four can play together on a regular basis, things will be tighter at the back and the shutouts will come.
“Right now we’re switching guys in and it’s a learning process, but hopefully we’ll get a solid four, and we’ll keep them and we’ll move forward,” he said. “I think the shutouts will start coming when we can finally work together.”
Burch’s progression has caught the attention of center back Dejan Jakovic, who played alongside the left back when he was healthy in 2009.
“I think Marc’s done well,” Jakovic said. “Obviously coming back from a tough injury, not playing a whole year, is tough. As each game goes, he’s getting more comfortable.”
