Editorials

D.C. United 2007 Player Review

With the conclusion of the 2007 season still a few weeks fresh in our minds, it's time to take a look at the good, the bad and the ugly of the 2007 season and what they can expect for next season. A lot of players got playing time this season under Tom Soehn's initial season and we are focusing on the players that finished the season with United and not dwelling on players that got no playing time (Brad North, Mira Mupier, etc..), got traded away (Facundo Erpen) or got hurt early in the year (Jamil Walker).

So, with all that in mind here we go starting with the goalkeepers.

Troy Perkins

Troy was a stabalizing force throughout the season and like any other goalkeeper was prone to the odd mistake or two. For the most part however, he had about as solid a season as any in United history. Troy really improved his shot stopping ability and literally saved this team on a few occasions with one-v-one saves that saved points. One negative that continues to haunt his game is his very poor distribution skills. Season Grade: B+

Jay Nolly

Only got into one MLS match and was pretty poor in the 2-1 loss to a terrible Real Salt Lake. Poor judgement coming off of his line and an inability to stop one of the two Robbie Findley breakaway goals sealed his fate to the pine for the remainder of the season. Season Grade: D

Bobby Boswell

Where to start. After two fantastic seasons and coming off an MLS Defender of the Year campain, Boswell slumped big time. While he wasn't Scott Vermillion bad, he often seemed distracted and inattentive to details like remaining ball side on attackers or simply too much ball watching. The midseason trade to acquire Greg Vanney gave Boswell an opportunity to form a good partnership but the emergence of Devon McTavish got in the way of that. Boswell, after being protected by United for the expansion draft, now has an opportunity to reward United and himself with a "contract year" type of season in 2008. Season Grade: C

Devon McTavish

One of two revelations on the United backline this season, McTavish showed real versatility in playing all of the defensive positions at some point during the season as well as two different midfield spots as well. McTavish seems best suited in central defense and had his best games this season in the middle whether paired with Vanney or Boswell. However, McTavish slumped at the end of the season and maybe showed a bit of his inexperience. Season Grade: B+

Bryan Namoff

Mr. Reliable. Namoff will never win an MLS Best X1 nomination and he'll probably never have an impact on our National Team, but he really is the defenition of consistency as far as MLS quality is concerned. Namoff had the odd gaffe or two just as any other defender would but when he was not in the lineup, United felt that negative impact. Season Grade: B+

Marc Burch

The other defensive revelation this season. The former attacker took to the United backline like Mike Martin to an open bar. When MLS teams try to convert college attacking players into defensive positions (which happens a lot across MLS) they rarely ever expect to get any actual quality defending. United got very good defending from Burch (a real bonus) but his calling card is his sweet left boot. A fantastic crosser which added a different element to United's predictable attack as well as a rocket of a shot as evidenced by his laser goal against Toronto FC at RFK late in the season. His addition to the lineup helped spur United to an improbable Supporters Shield given their poor start to the season. Season Grade: A

Greg Vanney

Acquired midseason for the frustrating Erpen, Vanney helped to stabalize an often unstable back four. While he struggled with an injury upon his arrival to RFK, once he got healthy, he was an automatic choice for Soehn. Vanney has his detractors amongst the United fan base for sure and he is definitely on the downside of 30, but his experience helped this team to a second consecutive Supporters Shield. Season Grade: B

Brian Carroll

Carroll seemed to suffer the most with Soehn's early season switch from the 3-5-2 to a 4-4-2 formation. Carroll really never adjusted to the role as a 4-4-2 with a central attacking midfielder needs a d-mid who can be physical and win the ball. Carroll's game is much more suited to a 5 man midfield as he isn't a ball winner in the Chris Armas or Shalrie Joseph mode. This led to him being replaced by Clyde Simms in the latter part of the season and coincidentally the season took off for United. Carroll being selected by San Jose in the Expansion Draft will hurt United's depth for sure, but he just didn't fit into United's future plans with such a big salary (over 100k) and with youngster Bryan Arguez in the pipeline. Season Grade: C

Josh Gros

Easily the saddest story in years for United. A hard working team player in every respect, it looks like Gros' career is over after multiple concussions during the season. As befits his personality, Gros did what was asked of him be it playing out of position at left back (until the emergence of Burch) or in his more useful outside midfield position. While Gros lacked the quality of crossing or finishing of a Fred or Ben Olsen, his all day running ability usually quelled the oppositions most dangerous players. Gros will be sorely missed in 2008. Season Grade: B-

Stephen deRoux

Stephen deRoux got some early season minutes but all but disappeared in the second half of the season. Blessed with quickness and skill, he often seemed to be trying too hard at times to get up and down the left flank. His speed is a sorely needed bonus on a team that is generally below par as far as speed is concerned. Season Grade: C

Rod Dyachenko

Another spotty season for Rod as he struggled to find his role on the team. Nominally he is an attacking midfielder but with Christian Gomez on the team, he doesn't get the opportunity to play there very often. Was really hit or miss for the whole season. Either he made a major impact on games (such as his two second half assists in their 2-2 draw with Chicago in the playoffs) or he simply faded into oblivion (being replaced in the first half at RSL and at Toronto FC). Finding a role on this team will be critical for Dyachenko in 08'. Season Grade: C+

Christian Gomez

A very slow start to the season gave way to a frenetic finish in which yet again he seemed to carry United on his shoulders into the playoffs. While Gomez made MLS Best X1 on his past merrits no doubt, his very poor start to the season dulls his overall grade. However he remains the best attacking player from midfield in this league. His startling 39 goals from midfield in just over three and a half seasons are mind numbing numbers. His status in remaining with the team is a major question hanging over the off-season. United won't be the same without him even if the vaunted Juan Sebastion Veron makes his way to Washington. Season Grade: B

Fred

It took a while for Fred to adjust to the style of play in MLS but once he got his sea legs under him he was a dangerous part of United's attacking fivesome. Fred played most of the season on the wing but would venture into the middle of the field quite often to gain infuence on matches. Sometimes his forrays into the middle often hurt United's wing play, or lack thereof. A full off-season of rest should see a better and more influential start to 2008. Season Grade: B

Dominec Mediate

A bit part player since rejoining the team in midseason. A versatile player that did well to fill roles defensively for United but rarely had any influence offensively. Will probably be a key reserve in 2008. Season Grade: B-

Justin Moose

Not unlike deRoux, Moose got extensive minutes early in the season but didn't capitalize on his opportunity. A midseason injury derailed most of the rest of the season which was relegated to Reserve Team minutes. Still has much to offer a team that is pretty slow. Season Grade: C

Ben Olsen

A drink from the Fountain of Youth seems a deserved description of Olsen's play this season. Not a single person before the season would say that Olsen would have lasted all year long on the wing. Olsen proved everyone wrong by having his best season ever in MLS. However, as well as he played during the year, he was missing in action at seasons end and it seemed the major minutes he logged on the wing caught up with him. Season Grade; B+

Clyde Simms

Stepped into the defensive midfield role midseason and didn't look back. More suited to the positional demands in a 4-4-2 than Brian Carroll, Simms gave Gomez the protection he needed and often added a physical bite to midfield that Carroll simply isn't suited for. It's no coincidence that once Simms starting getting regular minutes that Gomez took off as well. Season Grade: A

Jaime Moreno

Slow start to the season was compounded by his chase for the all-time goal scoring title. Once he got the record his game took off. He became quicker of thought and started really gelling with Luciano Emilio. However, once he got the recall with Bolivia for Copa America, Moreno didn't seem the same player. Age is quickly catching up with Jaime but he still remains an influential player in this league. Late season injury was key to another United late season slump. Season Grade: B-

Nicholas Addlery

Big, quick and skillful yet he really didn't have much impact outside of a headed goal against Colorado midseason. On a team that needed speed up top he often seemed out of phase with other United teamates and was more of a lone wolf. Season Grade: C

Guy-Roland Kpene

The defenition of snakebit. Worked his butt off all season long and showed good strength on the ball and an ability to pass well but when in came to finishing, he simply couldn't deliver. This more than anything else affects his overall grade. Season Grade: C

Luciano Emilio

Everything as advertised and more. I didn't think United would ever have another 20 goal scorer but Luci did the deal. The definition of a streaky scorer, Luci was a very good finisher and gave United a headline scorer they have been needing for quite some time. With teams needing to guard Emilio, players like Gomez, Fred, Moreno and Olsen were free to step up and score. 2007 United is the only team in MLS history to have five players score seven goals or more in a season. Season Grade: A+

No Grades:

Bryan Arguez
Jeff Carroll
Shawn Crowe
Jerson Monteiro
Mira Mupier
Brad North
Jamil Walker
Kiki Willis

© 2007 UnitedMania.com.