Much as the capture of Brazilians Fred and Luciano Emilio drew significant attention a year ago, media coverage of D.C. United's offseason roster reshuffling has once again gravitated towards a high-profile attacking addition as designated player Marcelo Gallardo has arrived to replace attacking midfielder Christian Gomez.
But the roots of United's postseason disappointment over the past three seasons can be traced back to untimely breakdowns in defense, an area the club's technical staff have prioritized going into the 2008 campaign. This year's Black-and-Red rearguard will likely offer a significantly different look, thanks to four new faces in contention for key roles.
"We felt that we wanted to be better in the back," said United general manager Dave Kasper. "We're playing in a lot of competitions again, and even more when the new CONCACAF [Champions League] format arrives in the fall. So we need to be a deep team."
A new goalkeeper is certain, with Troy Perkins having transferred to Norwegian club Valerenga and backup Jay Nolly moving to USL-1 side Vancouver Whitecaps. United's coaches are eager to see Zach Wells and Jose Carvallo, two promising young 'keepers with contrasting styles, draw the best out of one another.
"That's the one where the competition for spots wasn't as good as we liked [last season]," said head coach Tom Soehn, "and this year we went and got Zach, who I feel has got huge potential and huge upside. We've got someone young in Jose who we feel is going to be able to push Zach and could fight for the starting spot. So we're excited about that kind of duel there in our 'keeper spot."
Meanwhile, South American signings Gonzalo Peralta and Gonzalo Martinez are the early favorites to step in at center back, with Bobby Boswell and Greg Vanney having departed the club after inconsistent displays in 2007.
Martinez possesses a crucial quality that has been lacking in the D.C. defense: raw pace.
"He's a player who possesses a tremendous amount of speed, he's very comfortable on the ball, and he reads the game very, very well," said Kasper, also noting that the Colombian can also step in at right back.
Those attributes should complement those of the taller, more communicative Peralta, who has already made an impression on his new teammates with some commanding displays in preseason training.
"Gonzalo Peralta, he's a big player, man," said incumbent left back Marc Burch. "He's out there battling and it's fun to have someone big out there who's knocking people around, getting in hard on tackles and winning tackles."
Devon McTavish was a surprise entrant at center back last season, performing well after having spent his first year in a utility role. He would seem to be the odd man out after the acquisition of Peralta and Martinez, but Soehn is quick to offer his support.
"Devon was a big part of our success last year, and he figures to do just as well this year," said the second-year boss, who's already used the West Virginia University graduate at right back and left midfield in preseason. "One of Devon's key qualities is that he's versatile. There's multiple positions he can play, which gives us some flexibility and makes him a more attractive player to us. So he'll fit in quite a bit."
McTavish says he's taken the shakeup in stride, and while he admits a preference for the center back spot, he's prepared to fill in wherever he's needed as D.C. braces for another long, hectic season.
"I wasn't surprised," he said of the South American signings. "I'm looking at it as the same situation as it was last year: there's three hopefully capable players that can play in that position. So it is what it is. Good competition is always good, and they brought a couple of very experienced and talented players in. If that puts me aside, the only thing I can do is learn from them, which is never a bad thing."
Burch and veteran Bryan Namoff are the clear favorites on the defensive flanks, though McTavish and reserve Jeff Carroll are also options. Jeff's brother Pat, who played with McTavish at West Virginia, is vying for a roster spot and would offer further depth along the back line.
While United's glittering array of attacking options appears to simplify their task, the club's defenders are aware that their contributions will be under more scrutiny than ever as D.C. looks to end a three-year trophy drought.
"Time will tell to see how it's going to pay off. But looking at the guys they've brought in, we're going to expect to win a lot of the tournaments that we're in," said McTavish. "It'll be tough. But the front office put a lot of time and energy into it, and the players know that. So we have to do exactly the same to get it done in the field."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
