A few months sounds about right, might even be too quick. Yesterday was Losada's first day with the team "in person". Two of last year's starters (Hamid and Birnbaum) won't return until spring training is underway and no one actually knows how they will measure up after surgery. Hamid had (another) procedure on his knee, so will that affect his quickness? Birnbaum had ankle surgery after an injury sidelined for most of the last half of the season. How does he come back? Felipe is still months away and a return from an ACL injury, even after being cleared, is a work in progress. Those are three question marks right there. Add in both Najar and Wallace trying out for spots. Losada and Frutos know Najar from their time in Belgium. Does Andy have anything left? That will take time to determine. Wallace used to be a fringe Costa Rican national player, again does he have anything left? Add in two transfers, HInes-Ike and Bolivar, to integrate into the first team. (Or determine Bolivar is better suited to play in Loudoun to start the season.) Maybe Titi is returning and he may have to rehab an injury. Then there are the three draft choices who may or may not be first team material from the jump. Then there is the very small task of determining if there is anything of value in the roster that returns from 2020. I would be surprised if the DCU of August looks anything like the DCU of April. This is a new guy with a new system. This year is the shakedown cruise. 2022 will be the real test of whether or not Losada can make his system work in MLS. Nothwithstanding all of the above, I'm far more excited about this season than I would have been knowing we were just getting more Bennyball.
We need to be very patient and give the new coaching staff time - time to get familiar with the players, time to install a new system; time to integrate new players into the roster; and time to become familiar with your opponents. It will be hard, after so many years of subpar play, to accept the fact that instant rejuvenation is unlikely. If we see instant success I will be thrilled - but I'm not expecting it. But I do expect steady progress.
Right now he only knows what he thinks he knows. After preseason and a dozen games played in his preferred style, he'll have a good bead on the weak spots in the roster and what's missing from it. That's just the beginning, but at that point, he'll be able to make additions (and subtractions) with some information under his belt.
Welcome to the District‼️Jovanny Bolívar is ⚫️ & 🔴#DCU | @TheEventsDC— D.C. United (@dcunited) March 9, 2021 We got our young money player.
What do you mean young money player? I didn't follow this closely at all but he isn't a DP, he's just an international roster spot. I doubt he's costing much of anything, unless the reporting suggests otherwise.
DC United's season and home opener appear to be the evening of Saturday, April 17 vs NYCFC. Edit to add: This is confirmed. DC United opens the regular season Saturday, April 17 at 8 PM at Audi Field against NYCFC. Game 2 is Saturday, April 24 at 8 PM in Foxboro against the Revolution.
Wait a second, 550,000 in GAM? Yes ********ing please! At least one more move coming before the season if that is true.
I don't expect any major (ie. DP) signings until the first transfer window when the new coach will have had to time to evaluate what he has/hasn't got and what he would like to bring in. In reality, that evaluation is happening/has happened but it will take a couple months to identify available players and then complete a deal.
@KristianRDyer reporting that the Union, D.C. United and Nashville have interest in former Czech Republic youth international Jan Vodhanel.
Just watched the video of Losada running practice. First off nice to see him running practice and not Ashton (One of my administered Olsen flaws). I liked what I saw of this practice. Tactically and instructional wise. There might be a little hope around here yet..............
from a buddy of mine... was linked to MLS in the summer of 2019, but his parent club didn't want to sell. He recently refused an extension according to a Czech article 2 weeks ago, so he certainly isn't staying with Bohemians. He's solid, but not a DP level player and nowhere near Czech national team level, but effective on the left side as a winger. I think he's been injured much of this season though so haven't seen much of him this year.