The formula to achieve a successful MLS team has many paths and philosophies, but there are a few well understood building blocks: Solid depth, contributing homegrowns/draft picks, and successful designated players.
Depth and Homegrown Success
Right now DC United has a renaissance in the first two categories. Perceived depth players like Andy Najar, Tony Alfaro, and Adrian Perez have pushed others for starting positions or have remained solid replacements for injuries and upcoming international absences. No longer is it the one or no sub games that drove fans crazy. There are game changers for DC United up and down the roster.
On the homegrown side DC United appears to have struck gold after nearly a decade of pyrite. Moses Nyeman, Kevin Paredes, Donovan Pines, and Griffin Yow are all finally showing promise and have a coach that seems more than willing to give them a fair shake. They have all taken that opportunity to assert themselves as regular contributors and in Paredes’ case full-time starters.
The Designated Player Conundrum
The last remaining piece of the triforce of successful MLS teams is hitting on every designated player. And in 2021 this remains elusive for DC United. Paul Arriola has been a solid piece. Although he has had a few off games he remains a centerpiece in this team’s attack. The other designated player on the roster, despite a few flashes, has been mostly either inconsistent or injured.
Edison Flores has had not shown the value of his contract in the first year and a half of his 5 year contract. Injuries, the pandemic, and more injuries have derailed Flores throughout his tenure at Audi Field. Many fans are running out patience and other apologists like myself are looking to hall of failed DC Untied designated players wondering if his name will be etched on that list.
A New Hope?
Right now, Edison is coming off another injury that saw him miss the past month. When he returns he returns to a club playing its best soccer since the back half of 2018. They are beating the teams they should and holding their own with top tier in the conference. It certainly feels like if it doesn’t happen now, then it might never happen for the Peruvian.
With Paul’s absence for the Gold Cup, means DC United will probably need him to be healthy and contributing to keep momentum. The roster presents him that opportunity. The team has wing backs like Gressel and Paredes that go forward allowing him to cut in. He has at the very least two capable finishers in Roberta and Kamara who have started to capitalize on chances. He also has center midfield that has shown increasingly capable of distributing the ball to the front three and pressing the defense into turnovers. Nearly every player on the roster has benefited from Losada’s system. It is time for Flores to do the same.
The argument I had in 2020 with Flores, was that the team around him wasn’t able to assist him. He isn’t a Zelarayán type of player who elevates those around him or take over a game. Some may argue this means DC United should cut bait and find someone else. Those types of players are rare breed, and there is no guarantee DC United can identify that player and then sign him. Right now, the best bet is that Flores’ finds his game. He has team with capability to elevate him and he needs to deliverer on that record breaking fee and contract.
Strike While the Iron is Hot
Right now barring an epic collapse, DC United is firmly in the playoff picture. I think we all saw this season as a rebuild. But right now it appears to be there for the taking for DC United. No team in the East has established themselves as a dominant force. As much fun as it is crushing bad teams like Toronto and Miami, DC United hasn’t been able to notch a quality win since the opener. Their diet is mostly bad to mediocre teams. Their losses have been to sides that are considered the top of the Eastern Conference. They came minutes away from notching at least a point against the top tier before collapsing in the final minutes.
While it might be easy to say, “Well if it doesn’t happen this year, this team is on a great path for next year.” Need I remind you that is exactly what we were saying at the end of 2018 when it seemed like Lucharoo would dominate 2019. The iron is hot now, why wait? In order to strike that iron, DC United needs their number ten, to play like a number ten.