A few days after the disappointing end to D.C. United's season, defender Bobby Boswell spoke earnestly about the looming possibility of turnover within the closely-knit United locker room in light of the expansion draft and general dissatisfaction with the 2007 campaign.
Yet not even a month after the close of the season, it's Boswell himself who is next to leave the club, on Wednesday joining MLS Cup champs Houston Dynamo in a swap for goalkeeper Zach Wells. His departure makes him the second key veteran to exit the back-to-back Supporters' Shield winners this offseason, with midfielder Brian Carroll already selected by San Jose in the expansion draft before quickly being traded to Columbus.
"It was something [Bobby] requested," said D.C. head coach Tom Soehn. "When we do trades we try and look out for the guys that we're moving, but we're also making sure that we feel like we're doing something that benefits the club. So I think on both sides we were happy with the deal. We're really excited about getting Zach."
The move shores up a late-breaking new need for United, who might soon bid goodbye to starting goalkeeper Troy Perkins as the 2006 MLS Goalkeeper of the year pursues an opportunity to play in Europe. Club officials declined to comment on the possibility of Perkins moving overseas, but referred to the opportunity that could await Wells in the nation's capital.
"I think Zach's a 'keeper who is on the cusp of really great things, and he showed a lot of signs of that through the games he got with Houston," said Soehn. "We feel like if he's in a situation where he's given a shot at a No. 1 [role], he can really flourish."
Boswell leaves D.C. on good terms with the organization that gave him a chance as an undrafted rookie in the 2005 preseason, only to be well-vindicated as the Florida International University graduate became one of the league's top center backs and was named Defender of the Year in 2006.
But that level of success was harder to attain this past year. First, United's early-season struggles prompted Soehn to ditch D.C.'s 3-5-2 formation and move to a four-man back line. After a midseason trade brought in veteran Greg Vanney, Boswell had to adjust to a diminished role as he, Vanney and Devon McTavish were regularly rotated at the two center back spots.
"That was pretty tough, man," he said afterwards. "It was not easy. You play this game because you love it and you want to contribute, you want to be on the field, and I took a couple blows as far as not playing. But that's part of being a professional and you've got to learn to deal with things. You adapt to situations on the field, you adapt to situations off the field."
Boswell says he reached his decision to request a move after the one-on-one meetings with the head coach that all United players undergo at season's end.
"They were constructive meetings," said Boswell. "There were a lot of them. I met with Tommy a bunch and we talked a lot. In the end I just decided it would probably be a better fit for everyone if we parted ways. They were very respectful of that. ... I think both parties came out pretty well in this."
Boswell was set to drive south to spend the holidays with his family in Florida, but now he'll travel to Houston immediately to take part in a Dynamo press conference.
"I'm excited for a new opportunity," he said, "but at the same time, to reflect on everything, I've got nothing but great experiences here in D.C. "Between the fans, the soccer, the organization and my personal life -- my friends and family and whatnot -- it's been awesome."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
