The last time Sporting Kansas City opened a season against D.C. United, they did so against a side that would go on to produce one of the worst seasons in MLS history. The 4-0 drubbing put on Curt Onalfo’s side at CommunityAmerica Ballpark was only a precursor to a campaign that would see the Black-and-Red set (or at least flirt with) the wrong kind of records in a myriad of statistical categories.
Two years later, the two sides open their respective seasons against each other again, and that season (as well as that team) is a distant memory. There isn’t a club in the Eastern Conference more poised to make a leap in quality than D.C. United, having undergone the next few stages of evolution under second-year manager Ben Olsen.
At the back, 21-year-old Bill Hamid anchors a defensive unit that conceded 52 goals in 2011, fourth-most League-wide. While the goals-against column was less than flattering for Hamid--who is now 36 appearances into a career that began at RFK against Peter Vermes' men back in May of 2010--his performances were good enough to catch the eye of Jurgen Klinsmann, who handed the young goalkeeper his senior debut for the U.S. Men's National Team against Venezuela in January.
The fullback positions look to be occupied by left back Daniel Woolard and right back Robbie Russell, who was acquired from Real Salt Lake this offseason. The two centerback spots will be contested by Brandon McDonald—who’s morphed into somewhat of a leader for Olsen after bouncing around the League in the early part of his career—Canadian international Dejan Jakovic and new signing Emiliano Dudar. Jakovic and Dudar both started in Sporting KC’s 2-1 win over D.C. in preseason, and while many feel an another season of experience together will allow this United backline to improve themselves from 2011, fans in the District are excited about developments further up the pitch.
The transformation for United comes in the front six, and this side won't be short on goals in 2012. Chris Pontius, victim of a gruesome leg break just as D.C. began their playoff push last season, is back fit, ready to start opposite of the Honduran international homegrown product, Andy Najar. Both are capable of match-winning moments.
In the center of the park, Perry Kitchen--shuffled between midfield and defense throughout last season--has found a permanent home as the anchor for what figures to be a potent attack. Still a teenager, Kitchen has earned praise for an outstanding mentality, and obvious ability. Olsen has spoke glowingly of Kitchen's form since rejoining the squad following time with the U.S. Under-23 national side, and 2011's number two overall SuperDraft pick has the look of a future captain.
While Kitchen will be busy keeping an eye on whomever seeks to roam free for Sporting in the center of the park, it will be the Montenegrin Branko Boskovic for whom he carries the water. Where Kitchen offers ball-winning and bite, Boskovic--finally healthy after only making 17 appearances in two seasons since being signed as a Designated Player from Rapid Vienna--is the brains of the United attack. The 31-year-old has made a habit of dropping in and picking out the runs of his teammates throughout preseason with deadly accuracy, and up front he has the luxury of combining with perhaps one of the League's most dangerous strike partnerships.
The re-signing of Dwayne DeRosario served as a signal of intent from the United front office that winning now is not only a possibility, but an expectation. The 2011 League MVP, DeRosario set the League alight following a midseason trade from New York in exchange for Dax McCarty. His efforts ultimately were not enough to push United into a playoff place, but it’s anyone’s guess what might have happened had the season been but a few matches longer.
Joining DeRosario will likely be Hamdi Salihi. The departure of Charlie Davies left a void up front for United, and the arrival of the Albanian Salihi figures to fill it. Prolific at every stop in his recent club career, Salihi was teammates at Rapid Vienna with Boskovic, where the striker poached a total of 36 goals in 67 matches. Early reviews are good, as Salihi got his name on the scoresheet multiple times during D.C.’s preseason tournament in Charleston, S.C.
In reserve, though perhaps a bit light in terms of covering defenders, Olsen has a collection of different types of players he can insert at any given time. Wide players Danny Cruz and rookie Nick DeLeon figure to see plenty of time on the flanks, while veteran target man Maicon Santos offers a different presence up front than both DeRosario and Salihi.
How D.C. United’s 2012 campaign progresses after Saturday is anyone’s guess. Young players in key positions will need to come good, and the DeRosario-Salihi combo will be relied on from week-to-week not to mention how competitive this Eastern Conference figures to be. Still, a repeat of the 2010 season opener is unlikely, no matter how welcome that result would be to the crowds watching at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park.
