If I Were The 2004 Coach Of Dc United...

Let's use this to unify the projections and wishes for those who see the way to improve on this year.
Lighthearted comedic suggestions are also welcome, in fact encouraged.

Intangibles-
As stated in the Game 2 Post game thread, I would start clearing the slab to find the foundation that DC laid down with respect to it's identity the first 4 years of the league.
This would include everything from decorum on the pitch, to mood and effort during practices, set the precedents and chain of command for communication for all the players,assistants and coaches(no shirking will be tolerated), and probably most importantly, regard for the team's style of play.
The last being a thing analyzed and worked at to try and produce by effectively promoting assignments amongst the team's players.
When my team takes the pitch at home, they will be forced to look up at the banners that line the wall that housed the former BUDWEISER sign, which will remain prominent should a new stadium arise.

Personell-
As much as I revere both Etcheverry and Stoichkov's past in both MLS and Soccer worldwide, I release Etcheverry with the option of picking up Hristo's position as Asst Coach/Super sub on the condition he have both a pre and post physical examination- post sign and pre season.
If he doesn't meet the team's projected goals of weight, speed and endurance, we drop the sub offer and keep him as asst coach, in charge of setting the mid-field.
Hristo- for all the talent he still posess', he has been accurately diagnosed as a team cancer, especially in light of his treatment of Bobby Convey.
Don't let the door hit you on your way out for abusing the only player on our team with more tenure at DC than Marco.(or maybe Bryan Namoff?)
Spend the offseason searching desperately for a solid d-mid to show both Ivanov and Namoff how it's done properly to the Nth, and a quick-footed forward,(paging Ali Curtis), with a blister of a shot from either side to pair with Martins up front, upon whom I place the mantle of main scoring forward early and often.
To Earnie, I hand over the reigns of the midfield attack. If Nelson goes, he gets the captaincy with Bobby his named and recognized second. If Marco butt's head's directly with his thinking, then Marco's gone. The style of play HAS to reflect our speed, which will be improved, especially at mid-field.
Accomplishing the above will prove large dividends, given our already considerable assetts.

1) Nick Rimando.
2) Doug Warren- now league tested, and most likely a more astute student of Rimando.
3) Milton Reyes joining and emboldening the defense.
4)Brandon Prideaux, Mike Petke, Galin Ivanov, Bryan Namoff- depth on our defensive line will be an assett- Ivanov can be improved, a central position will offset some of his speed deficencies, and with some work may move along with Bryan occassionaly to d-mid.
5)Midfield consisting of Dema, Earnie, Bobby and Ben will be cohesive. We can retain Eliseo and/or shift Cerritos from up top to sub as possesion types when we have leads to hold.
6) Develop tandems at forward- namely Martins and that selected forward, failing finding him, Cerritos and secondly Santino with Alecko. Allowing these players to work with each other forces them to learn each other's in's and outs, and hopefully their respective talents develop into tactical schematic from which to pick and choose.

 

let's keep it concise and constructive

Ok, no Ivanov, fine, so long as you tell me who we can get that's both 1) better and 2) available.

 

ok... but....

No argument there, excepting the need for depth will INCREASE next year, with WC Quals getting into full swing. Yes, that's right, Reyes is a Honduran Nat. Nelson is a Kiwi Nat. Doubt Prideaux gets another shot at a cap, but then again...??

Given we now have Nelson, Petke, Prideaux, Ivanov, Namoff, Stokes, Alegria (weak poss, but..)to fill the back line, what other moves would we like to see?

Let's continue with Ivanov's SI situation too- ok, if we deal him, who do we use the slot to pick-up- defensive, mid, offensive- Let's give the front office some suggestions to ponder here folks.
Thanks again for the input, there's gotta be more out there of what folks would do to put next year's team together- LET's Hear IT!!!