D.C. United Approval Ratings: Dejan Jakovic

We're spending the first month or so of the D.C. United offseason grading each player on the roster with an approval rating. A vote for APPROVE means you were satisfied with the player's performance and want to see him back in D.C. next season. A vote for DISAPPROVE means you want United to move on without him. There is no middle ground, so please leave salary and contract implications out of your decision.

It was easy for us to blame Chris Pontius' season-ending injury on Sep. 10 against Chivas USA for the late-season collapse. But perhaps it was the injury to a different player that was to blame. Perhaps it was the injury to Dejan Jakovic.

Jakovic played only 15 matches for D.C. United in 2011, with his final match coming on Aug. 21 against Sporting Kansas City. When Jakovic was playing, the team was still in playoff position (at least if you look at points per game).

Jakovic's 2011 season looked to be an improvement over the disappointment of last year. He was strong in the air, and appeared more comfortable with Brandon McDonald taking over some leadership responsibilities along the back line.

Between Jakovic's multiple injuries this season and Dwayne De Rosario missing a very winnable game against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the final stretch of the season due to a World Cup qualifying match, we might actually be able to blame the Canadian National Team for United missing the playoffs this year.