we'll be in the same tournaments for the most part -- we'll learn from what happened to us this year and we'll take that with us."
WHAT WAS THE TEAM'S BEST MOMENT IN '07?
After so many disappointments in recent years, United finally grabbed a precious international victory in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana tie with Chivas de Guadalajara on September 26. Clyde Simms' long-distance screamer gave his shorthanded side a 2-1 win that was salted away by some gutsy defending to earn a measure of revenge for their CONCACAF Champions' Cup loss to the Mexican club.
In league play, the Black-and-Red can also point to victories against both MLS Cup finalists this season, including a resounding 3-0 drubbing of the Revolution at their Gillette Stadium home on August 5. But United often play with a special fire in front of their own frenzied fans at RFK Stadium, and few wins will have delighted the home faithful more than the 3-1 defeat of the hated New York Red Bulls on August 22.
The archrivals entered the match tied for second place in the Eastern Conference, but Ben Olsen scored just six minutes in and United never looked back, grabbing the Atlantic Cup trophy for the fifth time in its six years of existence. The highlight of D.C.'s assured performance: captain Jaime Moreno's 109th career goal off a 48th-minute penalty kick, vaulting the Bolivian into the history books as the all-time MLS scoring leader.
WHO MADE THE MOST IMPROVEMENT OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON?
Brazilian newcomer Fred got off to a slow start in the spring as he acclimated to the ways of MLS, then turned heads around the league with some spectacular play down the stretch. But the 2006 Australian A-League MVP arrived in the United States with a well-established reputation compared to several teammates who made even greater strides to break into the starting lineup.
Marc Burch and Devon McTavish began the season as prospects, but finished it as mainstays of the D.C. back line. Head coach Tom Soehn and his staff deserve ample credit for converting the two players -- Burch began his pro career as a striker while McTavish had heretofore logged most of his senior squad minutes in midfield -- and grooming them into confident, capable contributors.
Burch contributed much to the attack with his probing left-footed service and galloping runs forward, while McTavish surprised many by earning extended playing time at center back despite the presence of more heralded counterparts Bobby Boswell and Greg Vanney.
WHAT RESERVES ARE MOST READY TO MOVE INTO THE TEAM?
United's braintrust has certainly shown confidence in Rod Dyachenko, sending a first-round SuperDraft pick to Toronto FC to re-acquire the young attacker and handing him four senior-level starts over the course of the season. He's shown flashes of promise and even helped inspire his team's two-goal comeback with a tenacious substitute appearance in the season-ending playoff draw with Chicago.
But Dyachenko still needs to demonstrate that he's ready to step up to regular first-team action. The Russian-born UNLV graduate is learning to play a striker's role in addition to his central playmaking abilities, but he might need to become even more versatile if all, or even most, of D.C.'s offensive stars return to the squad.
Tom Soehn and his staff have also presented some first-team opportunities to several other reserves, including Justin Moose, Stephen deRoux and Nick Addlery. Moose and deRoux offer speed, energy and bite on the wings while the well-traveled Addlery fits the mold of a powerful target striker, but all three have been inconsistent and must prove themselves in preseason or risk losing their places on the roster.
WHAT AREA OF THE TEAM NEEDS THE MOST IMPROVEMENT?
D.C. United has much to be proud of: a diverse, talented squad that takes pride in playing skilful soccer; a savvy technical staff and front office; a large, loyal fan base. Those qualities have been amply displayed over the past three years as the club has racked up two Supporters' Shield trophies and regular-season totals of 54, 55 and 55 points since its 2004 MLS Cup triumph -- yet each one of those campaigns has ended in disappointing playoff failures.
To put it bluntly, United needs to deliver in the clutch -- and with their established stars and leaders aging, there's a sense that the clock is ticking on the team's chances for lasting greatness. Those factors seem to be playing a role in the Black-and-Red's renewed contemplation of a designated player signing, a device originally seen as unnecessary for United given their advanced scouting network.
The apparent courtship of Juan Sebastian Veron seems to stem from a desire for a seasoned matchwinner of proven pedigree, a class player capable of pushing United over the final hump.
"I think we're just looking to see how we can make ourselves better," said Soehn. "If it means a DP, if the right DP would come along that we think would be good for the organization and for the team in general, we'd have to consider it. But we're going to make sure we do a great job in the offseason of scouting and looking at what our options are."
Charles Boehm is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
