Who is the "Key" to the season?

[shawn12011]

Which DC United player will end up being the key player this season? Not the best or most productive but who is the player that if United lost would end up with United having another dismal season.

[geordienation]

I think it's Olsen.

Quite frankly, we've gotten so used to him not being a factor and looking for other threats on the field that if he is a legitimate threat on the flanks, it makes everyone's job a lot easier.

A healthy, productive Olsen gives United speed on the outside and takes pressure out of the middle. Whomever they put on the left side is going to be relatively untested (unless they play Ben over there to get Freddy onto the field on the right).

He's just somebody United has learned not to count on the past few seasons. If he clicks, a lot of other things fall into place.

[CHICO13]

I'm going to say Earnie. If he's fit (which he usually is) and plays like we all know he's capable of he can be a great influence on the offense. I think he'll benefit from a faster midfield and set up nicely with Cerritos and Moreno. He needs to put all the PK business behind him, work on it in practice and lead this team on the field and in the lockerroom.

[one_time97]

A vote for Convey. We have been waiting for this year. Now is his chance to show that he is capable of putting his stamp on the style and pace of the team; to show that we are capable of scoring and not just “creating chances”.

[GrillMaster]

I'm going to say Earnie. If he's fit (which he usually is) and plays like we all know he's capable of he can be a great influence on the offense. I think he'll benefit from a faster midfield and set up nicely with Cerritos and Moreno. He needs to put all the PK business behind him, work on it in practice and lead this team on the field and in the lockerroom.Gotta agree with ya, brother (what a fecking surprise)! :)

I'd also give a runner-up to the exterminator that keeps away the injury bug.

GM

[etcheverrito]

It's Convey's team.

[sch2383]

I voted for Convey, but I am of the belief that he will not be with the team after August...until then he is the key. After Bobby leaves whoever fills that spot in the center of the field will be the key.

[Th4119]

More than anyone else, when Olsen has been successful the team has won. In fact, when Benny is healthy and producing, every team he's ever been on has been a winner. Sure other people need to step up and improve from last year, but Olsen's play is the key to the season.

[nick]

ANY forward that can score........

[Dave Brother]

Carroll is my underdog pick. I've heard really great things about this kid's preseason play and have to go with him as the sleeper all star.

[BudWiser]

I voted for Adu. For the obvious reaston that if he's as good as advertised he can make our whole team better.

[jason1551]

I have to say Stewart, if only because he is now being given what he wanted: a set role on the team and the opportunity to play his game. The same could also be said for Convey. I believe that those two are instrumental in DC's offense and overall play for this season.

[American40]

My first thought was Adu, but that's just the hype getting to me. My next thought was Convey, and if he stays the whole year I'd go with him, but I don't expect that to be the case. So, I go with Nelson. Solid every game, he'll be a rock on defense (or defensive midfield, wherever he plays).

[mellon002]

If Bobby is in the middle, and he is, the he is the key to the season.

[mcontento]

Olsen is the heart of this team. When he went down we stopped winning.

[Frog Boy]

Convey needs to step up and be a leader this year (for however long he is here). Is it my imagination or does Bobby play with more intensity when he is with the National Team? Last year in France he played like a man posessed. When he came back, he seemed to be disinterested.

[PCC from DC]

Earnie has always been a complimentary player--shines at times but never is the key to the team he's on. And he's not the key to this team. H*ll, no one even knows where he'll play or even where best to play him. I expect
him to play better than last year, but in MLS terms, I don't think he can justify his full-salary slot.

I love Nelsen's play and I love him as the captain, but I think we're pretty solid with a Prideaux-Petke-Namoff back line if Nelsen goes down,
I don't see him as the out-and-out key.

Likewise, we're pretty solid with Warren in goal, whatever Nicky's status.

If Carroll fails, Dema can do an workman-like job at d-mid. Maybe even Namoff.

None of our forwards has the onus on them in particular-- though they may have it on them collectively. Still, since no one expects any one of them to bust out, I think the midfield has the responsibility on this team to create the goals, as finishing by the forwards will haunt us all year. (How could we not address that in the offseason?--and I refuse to put that responsibilty on a 14-year old rookie.) We will have to create many more chances than last year
and that means better midfield play.

While Benny seems to be a bellweather of this team at times, I don't think he's the fulcrum. A healthy Ben bodes well, but we won't be big winners unless...

I hate to say it, because I'm not sure he's up to it (he's teased at times, without consistency and reliability), but Convey has to have a breakout-type
season. And reliance on him is even more problemmatic due to his possible (probable?) impending mid-season departure. He's wanted more responsibility with the ball in the middle and I don't see why he shouldn 't
have it (other than our lack of true left-side midfielder if he vacates that spot). the other options in the middle (Earnie, Ben, Dema) leave me
underwhelmed with their creativity , while Bobbly leaves me wondering if he's got the stuff to make an entire team better. I'm slightly pessimistic, but I think if there's anyone on this roster who could do it, he's the one.

(Oh yeah, the Kid certainly could do it, but I'll give him a few years before I vote for him as the key to an entire season.)

[owendylan]

I'm surprised to not see Dema in the list? Is he that replaceable? Would have been my pick, but I would have to say Convey would be my next choice.

[uniteo]

Convey - he wanted to run the show in the middle, he's got it. He needs to create goals (whether by passing, scoring himself, pulling defenses apart with his off the ball runs, earning penalties)...doesn't matter how and doesn't matter if he's the one on the scoresheet.

[Serie Zed]

I'd argue that it's the striker/forward we never signed. I think we're going to struggle to score goals again.