MLS Season Preview: DC United

By: Bob | April 2nd, 2007

The MLS season is almost here so go ahead and leap out of your chair. We’re previewing all the teams ahead of the 2007 season. Today we take a look at the DC United, the most successful club in MLS history. Guiding us on the tour is Nando, who holds down the fort on the DC United Offside and who wears his Bolivian pride on his sleeve. His words are after the jump.

Nuts and Bolts
Last year DC United fizzled out the year during the playoffs after having one of their best seasons ever. After beating NYRB and making it to the Conference finals where DC United saw their amazing season come to an end November 5th on a cold Sunday evening going down to a 1-0 defeat to the New England to a lone Twellman goal in the Eastern Conference Championship at RFK Stadium.

Both team and supporters were filled with heartbreak and looked forward to a winning season in 2007.

The stars
The stars that are in the forefront of DC United are currently Christian Gomez, Jaime Moreno, and Brian Olsen. Honorable mention go to Facu Erpen, Bobby Boswell who was nominated as the most eligible bachelor in the US by Cosmopolitan.

The newcomers
Luciano Emilio and Fred from Melbourne, not Fred that scored goals for Brazil during the World Cup, also noted English midfielder Kasali Yinka Casal who played for the Fulham FC reserves.

Keep an eye on
Kiki Willis, USNMT U-20 Mid fielder Bryan Arguez and Kasali Yinka Casal who has looked deadly during practice.

We’ll win the league if …
The defense stays healthy and Moreno cuts down on eating saltenas. Another definite concern is the health of keeper Troy Perkins as Jay Nolly is not a proven backup keeper as of yet but he should be ranked highly after earning a trial at Celtic.

We’ll be in trouble if…
We lose to the teams that we should beat and then go into a losing streak since the depth of the defense is not great injuries could force some of the midfielders to play positions they are not familiar with.

The Beckham Factor
It will only be in effect on the August 9th game which is his first away game and will likely sellout, otherwise it is going to be business as usual in DC.

You might not know
1. Jaime Moreno will likely earn a cap for the Bolivian National team this year after years of the Bolivian Soccer Federation looking down on the MLS.

2. Marco Etcheverry is currently at the famous Bolivian Soccer Academy, Tahuichi, looking for talent.

3. Newcomer Fred will need special permission from MLS to have his first name on the back of his jersey.

Follow the DC United all season long on the DC United Offside.

Get your DC United soccer gear.

Tomorrow’s preview: Kansas City Wizards