2013 was a year to forget for D.C. United. The capital club was absolutely horrendous, winning just three games the entire season. Their top scorer, midfielder Dwayne De Rosario, managed just eight goals in all competitions, only three of which were scored in league play. Needless to say, another year like the last won’t be tolerated at RFK Stadium.
Thankfully for Head Coach Ben Olsen, D.C. United has not taken its abysmal year lightly, with a number of high profile off-season signings. The most high-profile name joining the Eagles for the coming season is Eddie Johnson. Goals are what United lacked in 2013, and goals are what Johnson was brought on to deliver. While Johnson did only manage nine goals in 21 games for the Seattle Sounders last season, he’s certainly a step up from any of the strikers currently at Olsen’s disposal.
Another MLS veteran, Fabian Espindola was selected by United in the second stage of the MLS re-entry draft and boasts quite the MLS resume. The 28-year-old native of Argentina played for Real Salt Lake for six seasons before plying his trade at Red Bull Arena last season. Espindola scored nine goals in 28 appearances last season.
United also strengthened their porous defense, bringing in Canadian defender Nana Attakora and Union servant Jeff Parke. Perhaps United’s greatest defensive coup has come in the form of former L.A. Galaxy hardman Sean Franklin. At age 28, Franklin is in the prime of his career, and knows the MLS well.
While United picking up multiple new players means a fresh start for the club, it’s lost a few of its better players. De Rosario spent two and a half seasons at the Capital club and shouldered a large amount of the creative responsibility until the arrival of Silva and the departure of D.C.’s high-profile loss, Andy Najar.
The 20-year-old Hondruan made a $3 million transfer to Belgian club Anderlecht in the offseason, cutting his American career short. Najar was voted MLS Rookie of the Year during the 2010 season and featured for Honduras during the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Thankfully the team has performed admirably in the pre-season as United won its fourth Carolina Challenge Cup challenge, tying the Seattle Sounders 2-2 in the final game and winning the tournament on goal differential.
D.C. United begins its season this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. against the Columbus Crew at RFK Stadium.
