Tell me about your club

1) We will be better and probably make the playoffs at 5th or 6th. There are still 3 or 4 really good teams in the East that are just better than DC United right now. First, we need Losada back as coach, but that might depend on how much the owners are willing to spend on additional talent.

2) Right now the only potential young breakout player is Paredes, from our Academy. Got hurt in early USMNT camp for the friendlies, but everyone is very excited about him. Yow is also from our Academy but didn't see much playing time, but he shows promise.

3) Paredes. Also, he sees the field, passes well and assists on goals by others, and is willing to take on defenders.

4) With crowds close to maximum, it can be nice and loud. The stands are banked rather steeply all the way around, esp at the North end where the supporter groups have very steep stands, and they do stand all game long. Also, along the North end is a three level bar with the top level open to the elements but you're looking at the goal practically straight down. The plot of land is a grubby reclaimed brownfield with a big utility line underneath along one side. This forces most of the West stands to be elevated three stories above field level. The whole effect is very asymmetrical and very unique.

5). Arriola is a good B squad player for the US, but gets injured too often to be reliable for the National Team. Paredes is still too young.
Andy Najar for Honduras if they qualify. One of our first Academy players ever on the team who then wandered in Belgium for a decade. He's back home and very exciting as a defender in our 3-2-3-2 system.

 

I agree except for #2. He asked for someone on the fringes who would break out as a regular in MLS. My answers would be one or more of Moses Nyeman, Jacob Greene, Jeremy Garay or Ted Ku-DiPietro. Of those named, Nyeman is the front-runner in my mind. Paredes already is an established MLS regular.

 

And I agree except for #3. He asked about playing for a "top European club." I do expect Paredes to leave and go to Europe; but if he goes to a top team, he won't be playing and he won't be there long. If he continues to develop (which is by no means guaranteed), he could make significant contributions to a decent mid-table team in one of the better European leagues. I don't think we have anyone that I expect to be at a top European club in a year or two.

 

1) 4th or 5th in the Eastern conference, 8th overall. We'll be capable of thrashing any team on the day, but also inconsistent. Dangerous in the playoffs, but that's always a crap shoot.

2) Moses Nyeman. He's been in the wings behind some decent 6/8s. Lacks size and speed, but is tough on the ball nonetheless, and is good at pushing the attack in transition. Works hard on defense, but sometimes still inconsistent with his awareness and decision making. Good vision and delivery.

3) Not to play directly, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Paredes go to a team with a good academy, or to play for a quality club in a second-tier league like Belgium. In terms of established players, Gressel has proven himself a very effective wingback, and it wouldn't surprise me if he got some similar-level offers. His game would translate well to the English CL and he's coming into his prime now.

4) I haven't been to one at Audi yet, so I can't really say, but the 20K stadium is nicely soccer-specific, with ground-level seating rising steeply to the rafters. The supporters groups are historically some of the best in the league and the field is actual grass, which isn't a given in MLS.

5) Honestly, nobody. Arriola and Hamid have an outside shot, but I think they are probably some of the last cuts. Najar would make a Honduras team, but Honduras would have to win the last 6 qualifiers to even be in contention. If Gressel gets US citizenship in the next few months, he would have an outside shot, but it's late in the cycle to displace some of the more established options.

 

DC usually plays a 343 (3421), which means only two central midfield slots, at which there was considerable competition. At the beginning of the season, we had injuries all over the place, so it was easier for him to find time, and he generally played very well. Towards the end of the year, he had some niggling injuries and our usual suspects at the position got healthy.

IMO, Nyeman's a pretty traditional 8, with enough of the skillsets of a 6 or 10 (and pure talent) that he can play either in a pinch (and is a good choice for any flavor of double pivot). At younger ages, he was a playmaker because of his superior skill on the ball, but at the MLS level, that skill is just slightly above average. He's not a great goalscorer, though, so he tends to be played toward the 6 end of the spectrum. He has a direct style, but brings the experience of being that playmaker with him.

He's got some defensive bite, mostly born of the fearlessness of youth. He's small, relatively, so he doesn't win many headers, and he doesn't have elite speed. He's good at timing his tackles, stepping into lanes and he shields surprisingly well. But his strength is on the ball. He's an effective carrier, capable of holding off a challenge and splitting defenders on the move, and he has the vision and technique to ping a long ball. He's good but not exceptional in small spaces and plays direct when possible. The comparison's been made to Musah playing at the 8 with the USMNT, and I think that's apt.

Najar is a really interesting case. At DC, he's played as an inverted right center back, if such a thing exists. Basically he plays like a maurading RB, but in the channel, ending up with the ball in the opponent's box regularly in the run of play because, who's picking up the centerback running through your midfield, right? It's a brilliant twist on the traditional 343 by Losada and Najar's skillset is perfectly suited for it.

 

As folks pointed out, Nyeman got minutes earlier because of injuries. He took a stupid DOGSO red card foul at midfield in a match during midseason and didn't see the pitch much after that. His major problems as noted are size (he's about 5' 3" and slight of build -- in fact the top prospects in DCU's Academy system all are smallish and slight) and he doesn't cut off passing lanes well, which is a function of playing earlier as a 10 or 8 at younger levels. He has the skillset to be an MLS regular, but unless he has a growth spurt, he's going to have problems playing the middle of the pitch.

 

1) I think they'll be a middling team. The elements are in place to score goals in MLS. If you press, you can create opportunities in MLS and DC does that as well as anyone in the league. Still, they spurned too many chances (even though they scored the second or third most goals in the league) and will do so again unless they upgrade the attacking personnel.
Defensively, they are vulnerable both by design and personnel and I don't see that improving much, either. Unless...
2) Brendan Hines-Ike breaks out and has a best 11 type season. He's capable, with good health. I thought he was excellent last season both with the ball and without until he was injured. If they can get a full season from him that will solve a lot of problems.
3) I don't know about top Euro club but Kevin Paredes will be off to Europe sooner rather than later. If he somehow gets minutes with the USNT and plays well, then I could see him going to a big club.
4) I think it's good, fans are in a good mood and want to have a good time. The team is beloved whether they are good or bad, unless they don't fight which generally isn't a problem with DC United.
5) No one. Arriola has been a good soldier for the US but he has been surpassed. Still, he has a small chance to make the squad. Paredes is a little too young and tender yet, I expect him to be playing in 2026.