Through 19 matches so far in 2016, United have conceded one goal or fewer 14 times (good for fifth-best in the league) and posted seven shutouts. Just over halfway through the season, it’s no surprise that the team’s backline ranks among the best in MLS. Thanks to somewhat of a defense by committee, the Black-and-Red have allowed the third-fewest goals in the league and best in the Eastern Conference; only Colorado and LA have conceded less. As the race to stay above the red line begins to heat up in the Eastern Conference, United will continue to turn to their defenders to step up.
The Black-and-Red back four is made up of experienced MLS players in Sean Franklin, Steve Birnbaum, Bobby Boswell and Taylor Kemp, but because of injuries, suspensions and national team call-ups, Kofi Opare and Jalen Robinson have stepped in and performed admirably when their numbers have been called. Birnbaum, who was recently named to the MLS All-Star Team, missed over a month while playing with the U.S. National Team for World Cup Qualifiers and Copa America. Opare, in his fourth year in MLS, has played in seven matches this year, while Homegrown defender Robinson made his first MLS start against the New England Revolution on June 25. Meanwhile, team captain Bobby Boswell surpassed 30,000 minutes played earlier this year, a feat only two other players in MLS have accomplished.
“It’s great that we have so much depth with that position. The guys have done a great job this year,” said Birnbaum of his teammates’ performance. “ I’m just happy I have been a part of everything I have been a part of this year, and I just want to do well for this team.” Head coach Ben Olsen knows that there are worse problems to have than having a surplus of good defenders: "I have good center backs. I feel very comfortable with any pairing of them," he said. "And then Jalen having a good game and really coming into his own is a luxury back there. They’re all going to see time."
Chemistry has been key for this unit, especially in the center of the back line with all the rotation. On the outside, Franklin and Kemp have been mainstays on the team sheet and are the only United players to play every minute of the MLS campaign through 19 matches.
“They have been amazing for us this year,” said Birnbaum of Franklin and Kemp. “Those guys work crazy hard in practice and in the games, and you guys see how much they run. They have done a great job this year and I’m proud of them.”
While all the defenders have been solid, goalkeeper Bill Hamid has come to the rescue on more than a few occasions with critical saves since returning from injury. “I’ve seen a few performances like that from him in the last couple of years,” Olsen said after Hamid came up with seven huge stops against Real Salt Lake to preserve a draw. “He gets in a zone where he makes it extremely difficult to score.” United’s Homegrown keeper has been in stellar form in his seven matches so far this season, while his teammate Travis Worra performed just as admirably in his 11 starts to start the year when Hamid was still injured, posting a 0.91 Goals Against Average.
Even though Toronto’s star man up front Sebastian Giovinco hasn’t scored in his last eight matches, the little Italian is still dangerous, and it will be up to the back line and Hamid to keep him off the board and give United a chance to wrap up their road trip with three points (7:30 PM EST, NewsChannel 8).
