With the constant shuffling of Ben Olsen’s lineup throughoutthe opening months of 2012, there have been few consistent elements in D.C.United’s starting eleven. Onlyfour players have earned a start in each of the Black-and-Red’s eight victoriesthus far, as Olsen – blessed with depth and cursed by the injuries that haveforced him to use it – has displayed a deft touch in manipulating formationsand personnel.
Two names Olsen hasn’t had to worry about are those of PerryKitchen and Dwayne De Rosario, both of whom have appeared on each triumphantD.C. lineup card to date. Currentlyon pace to enjoy the most productive season of his career, De Rosario pointsdirectly to his midfield counterpart as the reason why.
“To know I have that kind of support behind me, it makes myjob a lot easier,” DeRo said of Kitchen. “He creates that abilityfor me to go forward and I know we have him back there to lock it down.”
Raised worlds apart, De Rosario and Kitchen could easily –and on the surface accurately - be labeled an ‘odd couple’. Born in Indianapolis, Kitchen’s parents spent countless hours driving him to and from soccer practices as part of a somewhat typical suburban-American upbringing. De Rosario on the other hand recallsbeing "raised by the streets" of Toronto’s Scarborough neighborhood, a populardestination for recent immigrants to Canada as his parents were in the 1970’s.
But for all their apparent differences off the field, theduo shares an undeniable chemistry on it. It is an understanding that didn’t take long to develop.
“When I first came here I didn’t know much about him,” DeRosario admitted last week. “But, seeing him play, I knew right away this kid had a lot to offer. The best qualities about Perry are thathe listens and works hard.”
DeRo’s reference to Kitchen as a "kid" puts into perspectivejust how far apart – fourteen years – the two are in age. But it's the wisdom gathered through age that has made the Canadian a quiet guide to professionalism for United’s topdraft pick of a year ago.
“I look and see DeRo taking care of his body and being agreat pro,” Kitchen noted during a recent interview. “As a young player you have to look at that and say if he’sdoing that, then I sure as hell need to do that too.”
At the confluence of United’s midfield, respect is a two-waystreet.
“With his ability the sky is the limit,” De Rosario saidlast week prior to departing for duty with the Canadian National Team. “I think he is going to be one of thetop U.S. defenders very soon.”
