D.C. United has entered the open market. No, this is not a hoax.
For years the popular consensus among D.C. United supporters was that the club did not spend money. While other teams would grab the front page with splashy signings, United’s moves would most likely be on page four. Every once in a while a move would register but for the most part the club was rather silent during the transfer window.
Although the club is still not likely to sign Lionel Messi or Luis Suarez anytime soon for the first time in ages the club is active during the summer transfer window. With the additions of Alhaji Kamara and Lloyd Sam and potentially Andy Polo on the way the club has shown a newfound willingness to spend.
Now this is not to say that United has been unwilling to spend money in the past. The club has attempted in some way, shape, or form tried to improve their side. The problem was the type of player that they were bringing in. Players such as Marcelo Gallardo, Cristian Fernandez, Eddie Johnson or Facundo Coria have come in with some level of experience and pedigree only to really leave without accomplishing much for the Red and the Black.
Rather than going for aging veterans, United seems to be going a different path in 2016. Starting with the addition of midfielder Luciano Acosta from Boca Juniors, United has quietly picked up a series of players in the prime of the career.
The additions of Acosta, Kamara, Sam, and possibly Polo seem to be an acknowledgement that United’s current attacking pieces are not working. Over the past season and a half United has netted just 60 goals. In particular this season the club has struggled to find any real attacking possibilities.
Although none of the three pickups are exactly known for their scoring prowess they are different. With both Acosta and Kamara United management is showing that they are willing to give younger players from outside of their organization the chance to grow. Both have shown that they can produce for United coach Ben Olsen with Acosta creating opportunities in both the midfield and forward position. Meanwhile, Kamara proved his value in his first minute with the club netting home the game-winner against Sporting Kansas City.
The addition of Sam might seem like more of the same from D.C., another MLS veteran that really brings nothing new to the table.But Sam delivers what D.C. has sorely needed all season: a player who can move the club from a defensive position to an attacking position.
With the loss of Perry Kitchen and Chris Pontius, the injury to Chris Rolfe, and Nick De Leon moving to the center midfield position United lost a true midfield who can make the break on the counter-attack. Sam still has the speed and ability to provide service into the box. With Sam likely taking over as a left midfielder it will allow Acosta and Fabian Espindola the chance to focus solely on scoring.
What will be interesting to see is if United can secure the services of Polo. Polo, 21, has been a professional since he was 16 years old and had the expectation of pulling Peru out of the dark ages in international football. Leading Peruvian side Universitario to the 2010-2011 Copa Libertadores under-20 title, their first and only South American title, certainly added fuel to the fire. Polo’s move to United was first reported by Peruvian website Libero.
He made the move to Inter Milan at the age of 19 and never quite lived up to the billing. Subsequent spells with Millionarios in Colombia and back with Universitario, have not panned out the way that Polo or Peru would have liked. He did have a good run with Peru at the 2016 Copa America Centenario, making four starts and scoring a pre-tournament friendly against El Salvador.
If United can secure his services Olsen will have the opportunity to further toy with the 4-3-3 that he has been using over the past few weeks. With either Saborio or Polo going alongside of Espindola and Acosta he will have an interesting mix speed, pace, and strength to throw at opponents.
Whether or not all of D.C. United’s moves work out is uncertain. For a league where roster upheaval is a common theme, moves of this nature or often hit or miss. But that United have shown a willingness to engage the market and change the status quo is a sign perhaps that the club is evolving and learning from past mistakes.
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