Ahead of the 2014 SuperDraft, MLSsoccer.com is breaking down each team's needs and potential draft targets. Here's a look at where D.C. United need help:
They're coming off the worst regular season in league history, so it stands to reason that D.C. needs help everywhere. But they've found help pretty much everywhere already, thanks to a busy offseason in which they've collected assets from around the league rather than shop overseas.
One more big splash? That's what United fans will be hoping for on Thursday.
D.C. United SuperDraft Picks: #1 (1st Rd), #56 (3rd Rd), #69 (4th Round)
D.C. United Depth Chart: 25 players
Goalkeepers (3): Bill Hamid, Joe Willis, Andrew Dykstra
Right Backs (2): Sean Franklin, Jalen Robinson
Left Backs (2): Chris Korb, Taylor Kemp
Center Backs (4): Bobby Boswell, Jeff Parke, Conor Shanosky, Nana Attakora
Center Mids (3): Perry Kitchen, Jared Jeffrey, Davy Arnaud
Left Mids (2): Chris Pontius, Lewis Neal
Right Mids (2): Nick DeLeon, Kyle Porter
Attacking Mids (2): Luis Silva, Collin Martin
Forwards (5): Eddie Johnson, Fabian Espindola, Conor Doyle, Michael Seaton, Casey Townsend
International slots (6 of 7 remaining): Porter
D.C. United's Primary Need: Left back
D.C.’s not going to take a left back with their No. 1 overall pick, but it remains the biggest, most glaring need on their roster. Korb is solid enough depth, but not starting quality, and Kemp struggled to adjust to the pace of the game during his rookie season. Best bet, given the dearth of left back talent in the draft, is that they look elsewhere to fill this void. But it’s a void that needs filling.
Targets:Ben Sweat (USF), Robbie Derschang (Akron)
D.C. United's Secondary Need: Flank depth
Pontius is an injury waiting to happen, and DeLeon's sophomore year was one of the most disappointing on record. Both guys are Best XI quality when they're on their best form, but D.C. proved to have no answers when they weren't. That said... there isn't a wide player available at No. 1 that you can justify taking, and what United really need is simply more talent.
Target:Ryan Neil (California), Andre Lewis (Jamaica U-20s), Thomas McNamara (Clemson)
CATCH THE OTHER SUPERDRAFT TEAM PREVIEWS:
SAN JOSE: Can Quakes find a player at No. 9 who can start right away?
FC DALLAS: Will Oscar Pareja make a run at NCAA top scorer?
LA GALAXY: Bruce Arena merely putting finishing touches on 2014 squad
REAL SALT LAKE: Jeff Cassar's first big decisions come in SuperDraft
COLORADO RAPIDS: Five picks in Philly, but no head coach to make them
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS: Generation adidas players are 1st-round targets
PORTLAND TIMBERS: More players on their way from Akron?
CHIVAS USA: In search of another rebuild for the Goats
TORONTO FC: Are the Reds about to become a SuperClub?
MONTREAL: Finding depth up top is Klopas' first priority
CHICAGO FIRE: How does big trade impact Fire's draft strategy?
SPORTING KC: Champs have few needs entering SuperDraft
HOUSTON DYNAMO: Kinnear needs help in the back and up top
PHILADELPHIA UNION: Can Hackworth make the most of his 8 picks?
COLUMBUS CREW: Berhalter has a need for speed on the right
NY RED BULLS: Backline shuffle a concern for Supporters' Shield winners
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION: Filling the hole left by Juan Agudelo
