D.C. United forward Fabian Espindola challenging Colorado Rapids defender Maynor Figueroa (Photo Credit: Corbin Elliott)
It turns out D.C. United was not done shopping. After trading for Lloyd Sam and signing Alhaji Kamara early in the summer transfer window one might have expected the Black and the Red to be finished with their wheeling and dealing. But after picking up Patrick Mullins from New York City F.C. and shipping off Fabian Espindola to the Vancouver Whitecaps it appears that United has more work to do.
Mullins was acquired from New York in exchange for targeted and general allocation money and an international roster spot. As per league policy the exact amount of TAM and GAM was not disclosed. According to the MLS Players Union Mullins has a base salary of $96,000 with a guaranteed salary of $126,000.
Espindola meanwhile was shipped off to Vancouver in exchange for general allocation money. As with the Mullins deal the exact amount of GAM will not be disclosed. Espindola was on a Designated Player contract with United although he is in the final year of his contract.
The move in part seems to stem from a change in formation. Over the past few weeks United coach Ben Olsen has shifted his attacking posture from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3. Under this formation Espindola has struggled to find his spot. Although Espindola has 20 goals over three seasons with D.C. he has seen his playing time evaporate in recent weeks. By dropping Espindola D.C. also stands to save money that can be used on another striker or to provide depth in the midfield or defense.
Moving to United is a homecoming of sorts for Mullins. The 24 year old striker went to college just up the Beltway at the University of Maryland where he won the Herman Trophy, which is essentially the MVP of college soccer. Although he showed a bit of flash in his first two seasons with the New England Revolution (4 goals in 21 matches in 2014) and NYCFC (6 goals in 24 matches in 2015) he has not had much time to prove himself with Patrick Vieria’s side in 2016. Mullins has played in just 7 matches this season and has zero goals to show for his efforts.
Bringing in Mullins is a classic move for Olsen and D.C. The club seems to be the destination for cast-off MLS veterans who still have something to prove (Chris Rolfe, Kofi Opare, Bobby Boswell, Sean Franklin, and Patrick Nyarko among many others). The big difference with Mullins though is that he is just 24 years old while many of United’s other recent signings are in their late 20’s/early 30’s.
If Olsen is looking to implement a 4-3-3 then Mullins is the perfect player. He is a prototypical center forward in that he doesn’t really have great pace or the ability to create his own shot. That being said he does have a good first touch and a rocket of a shot. The question is now can he deliver on a consistent basis.
With the additions of Kamara, Mullins, and Sam it is apparent that Olsen and United management are not happy with the current attacking output. It is hard not to blame them. United have scored just 18 goals this season, which is second lowest among all MLS sides (only the Chicago Fire with 17 goals have fewer).
The good news for Olsen is that he will have the perfect chance to experiment with his new pieces on Saturday against Toronto FC. The Reds will be without midfielders Michael Bradley and Wil Johnson which means that United should control possession. That will likely mean that Kamara, Mullins, and Alvaro Saborio will have the chance to show that they can work as a unit.
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