One of several new faces in D.C. United’s preseason camp is actually a familiar one. Goalkeeper Steve Cronin, who made three appearances while on loan with DC near the end of the 2009, is back after being traded from the Portland Timbers during the offseason.
As he gets through the day-in, day-out grind of the preseason in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Cronin acknowledged that his previous stint with DC was helpful.
“From being here on loan a couple years ago, I have a little bit of familiarity with some of the guys and the coaching staff,” he told MLSsoccer.com by phone. “It’s been a pretty easy transition – not everything is brand new.”
That familiarity will certainly come in handy over the next few weeks of preseason, as Cronin battles with Bill Hamid for the starting spot in United’s goal.
As both ease into the swing of things early on – Hamid is a bit limited because of his recovery from shoulder surgery – Cronin is focused on his performance, trying to keep the idea of a goalkeeper debate far from his mind.
“When we’re going through drills, you can’t really focus on anybody else beside yourself,” he said. “What everybody else does can’t affect what you do, and you need to keep rolling with what you’re doing.”
Cronin started and went 90 minutes in a 5-1 win over Canada’s U-20 national team in the team's first preseason friendly of 2011 on Monday. Getting back in action and playing in friendly matches is what the 27-year-old enjoys the most about the early stages of the year.
“What I look forward to the most is the games, because that’s when the shape of the team really starts to take form and everybody gets a better understanding that way. You can learn a lot in training but not as much as in games,” he said.
Creating a strong understanding, especially in defense, is high on DC head coach Ben Olsen’s preseason to-do list. United’s defense conceded 47 goals last year, and if the team wants to improve in the standings, shoring up the defense is crucial to those ambitions.
To do that, the starting goalkeeper will need to build chemistry with his backline. If that’s Cronin, these next few weeks are crucial in building a strong working with established defenders like Julius James, Dejan Jakovic, and new additions Rodrigo Brasesco and Perry Kitchen.
Early returns are positive, according to Cronin.
“We’re already moving in the right direction, and more than anything we’re working really hard," he said.
