Is D.C. United Done With Its 2012 Roster?

But he probably wouldn’t do too well in Olsen’s system as a fullback. He’s a bit of a liability in defense despite his speed, and he’s a turnover waiting to happen (In fact, when Opta first started tweeting random tidbits about MLS last year, one of the very first pieces of trivia involved the fact that Wallace had more misplaced passes than anybody in MLS).

When he has time on the ball, he’s very exciting, especially for a fullback/wingback, but because Olsen wants his FBs to be stay-at-home, defense first players, Wallace’s strengths wouldn’t be properly utilized, and his weaknesses would be put into the spotlight. It was probably best for him and for United that he moved on – he’s done well enough at Portland to work his way into the Costa Rican national team set-up, even.

I was just reading the debate they’re having on Stumptown Footy over whether Rodney should be a left back or left midfield. Let’s just say, no one’s overly impressed with his defending.

I hope this is the case. But Brazilian fullbacks tend to be a particular type, and that type isn’t always known for its stellar defending. That said, I’m also hoping that Brazilian Trialist the Second is a left-footed defender.

He’s a leftback.

This is pr’damn cool.

clearly

He’s below average as a starting left back in MLS, but as we get to be above average at more and more positions, I’m okay with that. My chief concern was that we have no one behind him to compete for the starting job or to relieve him in case of suspension or injury. But if today’s preseason game is any indication, maybe Korb can be that guy and we shouldn’t worry too much.

I think he’s a 100% center back. This doesn’t seem like a Brasesco situation where he can play both and his size makes the decision for Olsen.

Of course, I haven’t actually seen him play a real game beyond Youtube highlights, so there’s that.

(When he wears a uniform, I still call him Benny. But when he’s got his full Guardiola (or Draper, if you prefer), he morphs into Mr. Olsen.)

Unless two teams further down the list want him and we want to create a bidding war for his rights , there is no way I want Eddie Johnson anywhere near our roster.

Even that gambit carries the huge risk of ending up stuck with a player who hasn’t been even remotely effective since the middle of the 2007 MLS season.

How ineffective? Since he bolted out of the gates with 13 goals in roughly 15 games in 2007, he has a grand total of 9 goals in roughly 79 games (the “roughly” coming from an inexact memory of when Johnson started to suck in 2007; basically, whenever Fulham’s interest became public, that’s when he stopped trying). 4 different clubs – including 2 in the Championship and 1 Greek 1st division team – have passed on him. Puebla (a team that is on the poorer end of the scale in Mexico) pulled out of signing him because of his fitness. He showed up unfit for what was his last realistic chance at a big contract!

Johnson is ineffective and totally unreliable on the field and simply doesn’t get it off the field. I’d rather we build our starting 11 around Kurt Morsink this season.