Guest Post by Ted Meyer
Curt Onalfo has been hired by D.C. United after an extensive search that had international names, MLS assistant coaches and even college coaches. It's hard to believe that D.C. United is putting their trust in a coach who was fairly mediocre in Kansas City. The Wizards did make the playoffs twice under Onalfo’s rein, but had a record of 27-29-22. That's not exactly the record fans want their new coach to have. It is obvious United is prescribing to the theory that under their organization, Onalfo can be successful. Onalfo does have ties to the United organization before his hire. He was a reserve midfielder for D.C. United in 1998 and 1999. He was also an U.S. National Team assistant coach under Bruce Arena. The transition time at D.C. United should be minimal.
Fans are not likely to take well to Curt Onalfo and patience is thin in D.C. Fans have been frustrated with Kevin Payne and Dave Kasper, who have made questionable decisions getting players. Now they make an unattractive hire and passed over fan favorite Richie Williams. D.C. United really ran out of options and needed to make a decision. Onalfo is not the glamorous choice, but he is an experienced coach. I am willing to overlook his seasons at Kansas City. He is an attack minded coach and Kansas City is not an attack minded team. In their 2000 Championship year they only gave up 29 goals and only scored 47. Here, Onalfo fits right in with D.C. United’s style of play.
Onalfo has some serious holes to fill. At just about every position United has some serious questions. Defensively, the team gave up 51 goals in 2008 (2nd most) and 44 in 2009 (5th most). Bryan Namoff and Dejan Jackovic have been solid, but the rest have been average or below. United has to improve their defense if they are to have any success. Much like last year the starting keeper is a big question mark. Josh Wicks got the job midseason over Luis Crayton with some solid play. However, that was coupled with some dumb mistakes, which included stepping on Freddy Montero in the Open Cup Final. He was subsequently ejected from the match. Offensively, Ben Olsen is gone and Luciano Emilio is likely to be gone. It is unknown whether Christian Gomez, Jaimie Moreno, or Fred will return. On the flip side, United has signed El Salvadorian international Christian Castillo. They also have Chris Pontius and Rodney Wallace, who showed promise in their rookie season. United has talent, but there are just too many holes to say that they enough to compete for a championship.
United missed the playoffs for the second year and a row on the last day in heartbreaking fashion. Some fans have spelled doom and gloom about the team for the coming years. United has faced worse times. From 2000 to 2002 the team never made the playoffs and finished in the bottom of league. This slump has seen D.C. United compete for silverware and won the Open Cup in 2008 and has some very talented players. The team was even at the top of Eastern Conference early in the season, before a late season collapse. United’s aging veteran players and a congested schedule played a key role in that demise. Onalfo doesn’t have to worry about a congested schedule or as many aging veterans. He will just have the MLS season and potentially the Open Cup if they qualify.
Onalfo has his work cut out for him. With so many potential changes, it is easy for some teams to label next year as a rebuilding year. That doesn’t necessary fly for United. The fans and organization want success. That success may be judged by just getting into the playoffs. Right now I see United falling right in the middle of the pack. They will be in another dogfight for the playoffs. However, MLS is notoriously unpredictable and we could see make an unexpected return to glory much like 2004.
Ted Meyer is United fan and student at George Mason University, where he hosts a weekly soccer show "The George Mason Soccer Show" at 5 PM ET on Fridays afternoons. He's also on Twitter.
