The biggest change that D.C. United has had in the past month would have to be the hiring of Curt Onalfo. By now every D.C. United fan should know his coaching experience and his plan to change D.C. United. Onalfo comes with the risk that accompanies any coach with a mediocre record, but seems, at least so far, to fit just fine here. He wasn’t the first choice for the job and fans remain skeptical on why that is, but hey, Caleb Porter has only been a head coach for one year. Onalfo seems very focused on bringing D.C. to the top, something former coach Tom Soehn didn’t seem determined to do. He promises to bring change to D.C. and it shows with his plan to switch from the dreaded 3-5-2 formation to the more standard 4-4-2 formation.

He also brought back fan favorite goalkeeper Troy Perkins, arguably the third best U.S. goalkeeper at present. This looks great on paper and D.C. needed a goalkeeper, but the acquisition will be bittersweet for D.C. Perkins is likely to be called up to the national team in the summer and United probably won’t have a steady back-up to take his place. Josh Wicks is predicted to be out the door by then, Milos Kocic needs to develop and Bill Hamid probably doesn’t want to turn into the next Freddy Adu by starting this soon in his career.

Another issue of this signing is the loss of that desperately needed first round pick and attack-minded Fred. Fred has been inconsistent recently, so its no surprise he’s gone to Philly, but United needs a striker. Badly. The best option up front is ladies’ favorite Chris Pontius and veteran Jaime Moreno. Pontuis is solid, but Moreno has lost stamina as he’s gotten older. United needs a striker to pick up when Moreno can’t play and the only other forward listed on DC’s roster is Boyzzz Khumalo, who despite his improvement, doesn’t seem ready for a first string roster spot. Solution? MLS SuperDraft. Problem? United only got two draft picks and they traded the first rounder to Philadelphia. The other draft pick, a boring fourth rounder, was used to get Jordan Graye. Graye is an outside defender, but I doubt he’s going to become an instant starter. He may become the next Jonathan Bornstein (another fourth rounder) or the next Tim Merritt (also a fourth rounder)… but hopefully Bornstein.

However, despite all this, I think this is a boost for D.C. United because it shows Onalfo is truly trying to make the team stronger. Morale is way up for DC fans.

So what should the new coach do now? First solve defensive issues. Is Avery John, Julius James, David Habarugira, or Lawson Vaughn ready to step up for a starting spot? If a new defender is needed to help the defense, so be it. Next issue? Find a solid striker to complement Pontuis up front. Anything else? Maybe solve the center midfield concern. Are Christian Gomez and Clyde Simms starting or will benchwarmer John DiRaimondo get his moment to swim-or-sink? Could Rodney Wallace be the answer to any of problems? How about the goalkeeper backup situation? Wicks looks like the man right now, but he’s lost considerable trust from the fans due to certain events of which I don’t want to write about. If not Kocic needs to step up. Onalfo and the rest of the D.C. United staff have the money to solve these problems with the money from Luciano Emilio’s departure.

As of now, this would be what I think the D.C. United starting line-up should look like:

Perkins

Namoff – James – Jakovic – Burch/Wallace

Quaranta – Simms – Wallace/Gomez – Castillo

Moreno – Pontius

What do you think of the Perkins trade? Vote in the poll!

“We are pleased to have come to terms with Bryan,” said United General Manager Dave Kasper. “He has been a solid defender for us during the past eight years and it is great to have him remain at United.”

During the 2008 season, Namoff started all 27 games he saw time in, playing the second most minutes (2,398) on the team. He also notched his second career MLS goal, tallying in the team’s 2-1 loss to Columbus on April 17. In the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, he scored the game-winning overtime goal against the Chicago Fire in the 99th minute. In all competitions, he collected two goals and two assists in 40 games (all starts).

“It’s rare for professional athletes to remain with one organization their entire career and I admire those able to do so,” said Namoff. “I admire those who do and understand that it takes a lot of dedication and support. I’m proud to have started my career at a prestigious club like United and am excited to remain a part of the team. I’m glad that I have the continued faith and confidence in my abilities from the club and fans, alike, and I plan to continue to develop as a player. I’m now looking forward to continuing my career here, with an emphasis on winning more championships.”

Namoff joined United in 2001 and recorded seven assists in only 15 games (13 starts) his first year. He was loaned to USL’s Richmond Kickers during his second season but later returned to solidify himself as a starter in United’s defense. In 2007, Namoff earned his first cap with the U.S. Men’s National Team, after being called into two January training camps. His first-ever appearance came as a 63rd minute substitute in a 3-1 win over Denmark on January 20, 2007.

The U-16s went up 2-0 in the first half after Luis Cartagena tallied in the 22nd minute (assisted by Dallas Aminzadeh) and Omar Kabba doubled the lead in the 32nd (assisted by Sam Bradley). Potomac got a goal back in the 68th minute, but Nick Smirniotopoulos iced the game with a goal in the 80th.

“Our U-166s progressed this weekend with a comprehensive 3-1 win over much-improved local rivals Potomac Academy,” said U-16 Head Coach Richie Burke. “More importantly, we produced a very satisfying performance, dominating possession and creating many good chances. We were glad of the tremendous form of our two young strikers, Marcus Selandy-Dufour and Luis Cartagena, both of whom are young enough to have another two seasons with us at U-16 level. Each was involved in most of our offensive work with Luis scoring his second Academy goal in as many starts. We received strong performances once again from team leaders Nicky Yin, Steve Mashinski and Sam Bradley - all were very significant to our team’s high level of play. We will go into the winter break with confidence high and will look to the re-start of our matches in February with renewed anticipation.”

U-18s settle for tie
The U-18s were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw after going up 2-0 in the game’s first 22 minutes. United’s William ‘Junior’ Bioh talled in the 20th minute (assisted by Chris Hegngi) and Shane Cooke struck just two minutes later (assisted by Travis Pittman) to give D.C. the early lead, but Potomac struck in the 34th minute and were awarded a penalty in the 70th, which was converted and proved to be the final goal of the match.

“It can be frustrating to lose a 2-0 lead., but we have to remember it is very early in season,” said U-18 Head Coach Judah Cooks. “We will see this style of play in many games throughout the year and the challenge for our boys and staff is to continue to play attractive soccer while breaking down teams that play a more defensive, counter-attack style. It was a game that we will learn and get better from.”

Next Up
The Academy teams will now turn its focus to the Disney Showcase in Orlando December 26-30 where it will play Chelsea in its first match. In preparation for the tournament, the team will play friendly matches versus local club Arlington and affiliate club Freestate.

“We were very pleased overall with our performances at the Winter Showcase,” said United’s Director of Youth Development John Maessner. “Both groups played well and impressed with their style of play and skill. It’s a great start to this 2008/2009 Academy year and we look forward to improving our teams and moving our players along in their development.”

The U-16 squad began their season with a 1-1 draw against Cal Odyssey. After going down a goal early in the game, Yam Amankwa found the equalizer in the 30th minute. The U-18 team dominated in their match, defeating Cal Odyssey 3-0 thanks to goals by Uwem Etuk, Jr Bioh and Eliseo Fraga. Goalkeeper Bill Hamid made a spectacular save in the 34th minute that kept the score even and preserved the shutout.

Sunday the teams faced Metro United. The U-16’s went down in the first half but eventually evened the score in the 78th minute, thanks to a goal by Steven Mashinski. In the game’s final minute, Myles McGinley scored the game winner to give the D.C. United youth a 2-1 victory. The U-18’s continued their excellent showing as they defeated Metro United 5-1. Fraga and Bioh each scored two while Chris Hegngi added a penalty kick.

The final games for United’s youth teams came on Monday, when they faced the Virginia Rush. The U-16’s won by a score of 3-1, thanks to a penalty kick by Sam Bradley and goals from Luiz Cartagena and Dallas Aminzadeh. The U-18’s capped off their dominating performance with a 3-0 win over the Rush. Sean Murnane found the back of the net for United while Hegngi added two more.

“It was a great first weekend the season for our young team, with three very strong performances from all players,” said U-16 head coach Richie Burke. “We were disappointed not to win all three games, but happy with the level of play in all of the contests, even in the match we tied. There were some nerves, understandably, in the first match, but we improved enormously over the weekend and our level of play was at its best in our final match.”

U18 Head Coach Judah Cooks also said it was a good way to start the season. “Our boys conducted themselves professionally on and off the field, while meeting our goal of nine points that was set before the trip,” Cooks said. “We are pleased with the group for the commitment that they showed and look forward to our next game.”

The Academy Winter Showcase was the biggest youth soccer event in US Soccer history, with 148 teams representing 74 clubs playing more than 250 games over the extended weekend. In addition, this year also featured the U17 Men’s National Team playing international friendlies against Brazil and Australia. Professional and college scouts were in attendance to the event, as well as US Soccer Youth National team coaches who looked at the top prospects in the Under 15/16 and Under 17/18 age groups. For more information and results, click here.

The D.C. United Academy teams will now face local rival Potomac on Sunday, December 14 at the Maryland SoccerPlex Field #19. The U-16’s will play at 1 p.m. followed by the U-18’s at 3 p.m.

DCU fans: Is the report an overreaction? Or is the prospect of a United-less DC serious?